THE STRENGTH OF SILENCE

“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth” (Isa 53:7).

As Jesus faced the cross, He was subjected to a series of “trials” before men who would ultimately kill Him (cf. John 18:12-14; John 18:19-24; Luke 22:66-23:25). When false charges were levied against Him, Jesus held His peace (cf. Matt 26:63; Matt 27:12-14). He kept silent before Herod (cf. Luke 23:8-9), and even sometimes before Pilate (cf. John 19:7-9).

I am ashamed to say I open my mouth when I too should keep it shut. Israel of old needed to learn this lesson with all their murmuring and complaining (cf. Ex. 15:24; Ex. 16:1ff; Num. 11:1-20; Num. 14:1ff; Num. 21:4-9). We too should do all things without complaining as taught in Phil. 2:14-16 which provides a powerful example.

Jesus is the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). That is cause for rejoicing! This passage in Isaiah was the very section of Scripture the Ethiopian eunuch was reading on his way back from Jerusalem. Philip preached to Him Jesus (Acts 8:26-39) so let us do the same!

Trent Thrasher