Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

April 2– Morning

 by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“He did not answer, not even a word.” 

—Matt 27:14

 

Jesus was never slow of speech when it came to blessing others, but he would not say a single word in his own defense. Never did a man speak like this, and never was a man silent like him. This silence is a measure of his self-sacrifice and shows his refusal to stop his own slaughter which was dedicated as an offering to God for us.

Perhaps this silence also tells us something about the defenselessness of sin? Nothing can really be said to excuse human guilt; therefore, he who bore its whole weight stood speechless before his judge.

Furthermore, isn’t patient silence the best reply to a gainsaying world that has no true interest in knowing the things of God? Calm endurance answers some questions infinitely more conclusively than the loftiest eloquence. The best apologists for Christianity in the early days were its martyrs. Doesn’t the silent Lamb of God furnish us with a grand example of wisdom? To speak in this hateful environment would have only fanned the flame of sin. In time, the ambiguous and the false, the unworthy and mean, will overthrow and confute themselves; therefore, the true can afford to be quiet and find silence to be its wisdom.

Our Lord’s silence was also a remarkable fulfillment of prophecy, since Isaiah told us that “He (was to be) led as a lamb to the slaughter, so he did not open his mouth.” By his silence he conclusively proved himself to be the true Lamb of God.

Be with us today, Jesus. And, in the silence of our hearts, speak to us of your great love. [M&E]