Listen to God's Silence
What amazed Pilate was what he heard in the silence of the uncomplaining Lamb.
When we watch Jesus, who had been bombarded by noisy accusations from his enemies, stand silently in front of Pontius Pilate we wonder what’s gone wrong. Instead of firing back he silently surrenders. “’Aren’t you going to answer?’ Pilate asked him. ‘See how many things they are accusing you of.’ But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed” (Mark 15:4,5).
We dutifully go to you, God, when the bad news shocks our world but you are silent. “Aren’t you going to answer?” We reach out for you, Jesus, when a meaningful relationship goes bad, hoping for just a little jolt of happiness to get us through the day but a foggy silence shrouds us. “Aren’t you going to answer?” We ask you to help us defeat temptation but hearing nothing we give in – again – to the deceitful voice of our sinful self speaking on behalf of Satan. “Aren’t you going to answer?”
And what starts as curious concern about a silent God stirs up into a wicked brew that curses a God who sits on his hands. “O God, do not keep silent; do not be quiet, O God, do not be still. See how your enemies are astir, how your foes rear their heads” we demand (Psalm 83:1). As if God needs us to help get him out of bed and get a job like a sluggish teen.
When was the last time you posted, texted, or emailed somebody about an urgent matter needing immediate attention and they didn’t get back to you. You stewed impatiently. You followed up and, again, didn’t hear, this time becoming a little irritated. When they finally got back to you, you discovered that they took care of the problem or project better than you had hoped. Silence doesn’t always mean disapproval, inattention, or too busy to help. Sometimes what we don’t hear from our Savior is the best answer of all. Sometimes it’s his silence that saves us.
The silence of the disciples watching in wonder while the Master washes his servants’ feet, the silence in Gethsemane after the Son pleads with the Father for another way, the silence as God’s corpse is carefully wrapped and buried in the earth he formed – that silence is the Lamb of God accepting his fate as the only way to save you. “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).
Silence when the razor sharp scourge lacerates his skin and bone. Silence when razor sharp words cut his already bleeding heart. Silence when my accusations pierce his all-loving hands again. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats … by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:22-24).
When Satan petitions with all the powers of hell for heaven to recall my redemption. Silence. When my sins rightly call for my condemnation. Silence. When my own conscience sells me out as an unworthy fake and shameful mistake. Silence. “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
Sometimes it’s God’s silence that saves us.
PRAYER: When you are silent, God, help me recall by faith your promises echoing through time that haven’t just fallen to the ground. When you are silent, before I think I need to speak let me pause a little while more and ponder your great work of redemption. Help me to value silence, to leave room for you and your quiet work of salvation and your divine intervention – which means I don’t always have to provide all the neat and tidy answers. Amen.