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 presses our Lord to speak on His behalf and we read to our amazement that Jesus made “no reply.” Yet, in another passage of Scripture we read, “No one ever spoke the way this man spoke” (John 7:46). To be sure, there is, in the life of every disciple of Christ, a time to speak and a time to be silent. The key is to have the wisdom and discernment to know the time.
So much can be said about these two words that can bring great encouragement into the life of the Christian. Jesus made “no reply” when words might have brought a blessing to Himself. But never did He withhold His words when He could bless others.
Jesus said to the fishermen He found down by the shore, “Come” and they became fishers of men.
Jesus said to the man up in a tree, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately” and he rose up into the ministry of the gospel alongside of His Master.
Jesus said to the woman at the well, “Will you give me a drink?” and she was given “living water” and became the first evangelist in her town of Samaria, and many became believers.
Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery, “Woman, 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 gave “no reply” to Pilate, refusing to provide a defense against the false accusations, but He never missed the opportunity to defend and bless others. So where has Jesus spoken in your life that brought to 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 Him being the True Lamb of God who was silent “as a sheep before its shearers is silent.” But regarding your relationship with Him, He has not stopped speaking life to you and will not all the way into glory.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 