Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor. (Matthew 27:13-14)
Pilate pressed our Lord to speak in His own defense, and I believe that we are just as astonished as Pilate to read that Jesus “made no reply.” It certainly wasn’t because He was unsure of how to respond! After Jesus preached His incomparable Sermon on the Mount, we read that “The crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority” (Mathew 7:28-29). In another passage of Scripture, the temple guards — who certainly were not “fanboys” of Jesus Christ — confessed that “No one ever spoke the way this man does” (John 7:46). No, Jesus was not at a loss for words when He stood before Pilate; He deliberately chose not to reply.
In the life of every disciple of Christ, there is a time to speak and a time to be silent. The key is to possess the wisdom and discernment to know what time it is! So much can be said about these two simple words, “no reply,” that can bring great encouragement into the life of the Christian. Jesus made no reply when words might have well have brought a blessing to Himself, but never once did our loving Lord withhold His words when He could bless others.
Jesus said to the fishermen He met by the shore, “Follow Me,” and they became fishers of men.
Jesus said to the man up in a tree, “Zacchaeus, I must stay at your house today,” and the despised tax collector rose up into the ministry of the Gospel alongside his Master.
Jesus said to the woman at the well, “Will you give me a drink?” and she received “living water.” She became the first evangelist in her town in Samaria, and as a result, many there became believers.
Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery, “Where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?” and she left His presence, forgiven and faithful to her Lord.
These are just a few of the many examples of the words of Jesus blessing others. He made no reply to Pilate, refusing to provide a defense against the blatantly false accusations made against Him, but He never missed the opportunity to defend and bless others.
Where has Jesus spoken into your life and brought you great blessing? Remember, Jesus made no reply because He chose to take our place and die on a cross. Jesus made no reply so He could drink the full cup of God’s wrath. This was the time for Jesus to be silent because His silence testified to the fact that He was the True Lamb of God who was silent “as a sheep before her shearers is silent” (Isaiah 53:7).
But when it comes to your relationship with Him, He has not stopped speaking life to you, and He will continue to do so all the way into glory.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 