“Then the high priest stood up before them all and questioned Jesus, “Don’t You have an answer to what these men are testifying against You?” But He kept silent and did not answer.” – Mark 14:60-61
Was Jesus intimidated? Clearly not. He would speak up when the question was right. Was Jesus trying to frustrate His accusers? It certainly had that affect, but frustration was not Jesus’ aim. Clarity was. This was not a trial to determine whether or not Jesus was innocent. It was a trial to find some reason to justify the judgment they had already made (see Mark 14:55). They had already decided to put Him to death, they were just looking for the best way to make that happen. So Jesus went into this trial “like a lamb led to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7).
On this Passover (see Mark 14:12), the “sheep quiet before the shearers” was Jesus. Mark’s account of the gospel paints Jesus as the Suffering Servant and Sacrificial Lamb offered in our place for our sins. His silence was intended to fulfill prophecy, not fill the room with anger.
I wonder if sometimes the silence I perceive from Jesus in response to my prayer is aimed at the same purpose. Maybe His silence is an invitation to look beyond what He can do for me and see who He is. Perhaps I am supposed to fill the silence with my praise for who Jesus is, rather than my frustration for what I’m missing. Could it be that there are some ways of knowing Jesus that only come by intently seeking?
May our hearts be filled with wonder and our mouths be filled with praise as we see Jesus more and more clearly!
Think These Things 