Daily Devotion for March 27, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPassionate Christ
Day 27

 

The Silence of the Lamb

 

But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.  Mark 15: 5

 

Jesus’ only response was to Pilate’s initial question. When asked, "Are you the King of the Jews?" He replied, "As you say." Much has been made of this reply. Some consider it to be an intentionally ambiguous statement, as though Jesus was leaving His options open. Underlying the Greek, however, is a strong, though unusual, idiomatic expression indicating affirmation. In short, Jesus said, "I am."

 

Doubtless the members of the Sanhedrin were almost as annoyed by this response as by that given to Caiaphas’ question (14: 62). The schemers, however, must have been secretly ecstatic. Jesus had sealed His own fate with a simple admission. But when the chief priests began to press on by accusing Him of many other things, Jesus fell silent. They made a lot of noise and a “great ado” but Jesus did not lower Himself by screaming in response. He had answered the organ grinder; He did not need to bother with the monkeys.

 

Pilate, however, was greatly surprised that Jesus did not appear to want to defend Himself. He was probably used to trials where the volatile local crowds and characters would indulge in stormy scenes of fierce recrimination. Pilate was curious to know why this northern rabbi remained restrained in the presence of such a merciless mob. At that moment the Roman began to have some sympathy for the underdog.

 

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, when falsely accused, help me to rise above the circumstances as You did.  Help me to remain loving, sincere, and confident of my eternal destiny.  Amen

 

---

 Did someone send you this Devotion? Would you like to receive future ones directly? Click here to subscribe.

Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
		333 W. Lake Street, Addison, Illinois 60101
		(866) 455-6466 • Fax: (866) 451-1476
		Web Site: lcc.LutheranChurchCharities.org
		E-Mail: TimHetzner@LutheranChurchCharities.org
At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom