November 4 - Well, Hush My Mouth!

 Read today’s texts first: Job 26,27; Mark 15-16

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

Learn when to hush your mouth & let God, your
Advocate, speak more eloquently than you ever could. 

What a contrast between Job’s verbose protests and the silence of our Saviour as He was led to the cross.  I like Job in much the same way that I love to watch lawyers debate in the courtroom.  I’ve always been enamored with the power of persuasive logic and eloquent speeches.  Just when you are feeling convinced by the prosecution that the defendant is guilty, the defense attorney takes the floor and completely changes your mind.  My love for a good debate has gotten me in and out of trouble on countless occasions.

So I understand why Job, and even his so-called friends, wax eloquent in their collective ignorance.  They are almost convincing until God takes the floor in the final chapters of the book!  What I can’t understand is how Jesus (Who is God, I remind myself) remains silent in the face of unjust accusations.  We know He is a masterful communicator, confounding his critics with His insightful rejoinders throughout His itinerant ministry.  But why now, at this critical juncture, does He choose to hold His tongue.  The only charge against Him, posted on the sign above His head, was that He was Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews - and it was actually true.  He could have wowed us with His brilliant responses to Pilate’s questions, just as Paul did with Felix, but instead He made no reply.  Pilate was amazed by that (15:5) and so am I.

What I learned from reading this story again is the importance of listening to the Father.  It would have been very natural for Jesus to defend Himself, but it wasn’t what He was supposed to do at this time.  It was planned long before this moment that He would be led like a silent lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7).  His protests were already answered in His conversation with the Father in the Gethsemane Garden, which ended with Jesus saying, “not my will but Thine be done”!  I remember a time early in my ministry when I too was being falsely accused.  I came to the point of crafting a letter of defense when I heard the Lord tell me to keep silent and let Him defend me.  I discovered in the process that He is the ultimate Advocate!

“Lord, in these quiet times with You, forewarn me when I should hush my mouth.  I so often speak first and regret later.  Help me to learn the power of silence and trust in your ability to speak far more eloquently than I ever could.”