Keeping Silent
What Are the Odds? • Sermon • Submitted
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· 21 viewsWhat are th odds that if we were put on trial, that we would keep silent? Jesus was tried six times in less than 24 hours, but yet refused to defend himself. Why? Because, if he had been set free, we would have all been condemned.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Good morning and welcome back!
If you will, turn in your Bibles back to .
In just a moment I will be reading a portion of the passage we began with last week, and we are going to be spending some time this morning breaking it down just a bit.
If you recall, last week we looked at some of Isaiah’s prophecies concerning the coming of Jesus—as the Messiah.
And we focused primarily on the mathematically probability that his prophecies would come true in exactly the way they did.
And hopefully by the end you were able to see and conclude that if it were just by chance, then it was absolutely impossible.
And that the only reason anything came true was because God’s hand was in the middle of it and God was in control of the entire situation and circumstance.
The way things have played out through history has all been part of God’s eternal plan of salvation for us all.
As Isaiah puts it . . .
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
And as we continue to go “astray” that plan and offer of salvation and eternal life remains constant and remains steady.
It is available to all who will choose to accept it.
And Isaiah through his prophecies begins to tell us how.
However, there is another part of this prophecy that to many—myself included, who study human nature find a bit “odd” if you want to call it that.
And that is what follows right after the verse I just read.
Which is what we are going to look at this morning.
So, let’s look quickly at again, starting in verse 7, he writes . . .
Scripture Focus
Scripture Focus
7 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. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. 9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.
He Offered No Defense
He Offered No Defense
Now, what I just read there dealt primarily with the trial and death of Jesus.
And the point I want to really focus on is found in verse 7.
Again it says . . .
7 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.
Twice in that verse, Isaiah says, “he did not open his mouth.”
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 the shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
And that is very significant because in reality that goes against normal human nature.
Think about it this way...
Imagine yourself being brought before the court, with a whole courtroom of people watching you.
You are standing before the judge and you are being accused of some horrible crime—murder—something that would get you the death penalty.
And you are innocent.
But you have no defense attorney.
You have no friends or family who could speak on your behalf.
Everyone in the room is against you and wants to see you suffer and die—all for something you know that you did not do.
You were 100% innocent of the charges.
How would you feel in that moment?
What would you do?
Would you sit there in silence, not saying a word, just letting the judge and the prosecutor do and say whatever they wanted?
No—absolutely not.
It may not do any good but at this point, you have nothing to lose, so what are you going to do?
You are going to defend yourself.
And you are going to defend yourself with everything you have in you.
That is the natural human response, because your life is on the line.
It’s not like getting a speeding ticket where you just pay fine and life goes on.
If you are found guilty that is it—it is over—you are done for.
I mean honestly, how many of us would go to court and try to defend ourselves about a speeding ticket if we knew we were innocent?
Even outside of the legal system—look at social media.
How far will we go to prove our point of view or that we are right?
We go to extreme lengths.
But here is Jesus, completely innocent, had done nothing to anyone—and he is on trial.
Facing the death penalty.
And his trial wasn’t like our trials, where there is a one and done situation.
Jesus actually had the equivalent of six trials, starting around 2AM and going into the rest of the day.
And for the entire time, he never once defended himself.
And we are going to look at that for just a few minutes.
To set things up though, we will fast forward to what we know as the “Last Supper,” the last time Jesus would break bread with his disciples.
This would have been on Thursday of Holy Week—the day before what we know as Good Friday.
Jesus and the disciples have gathered in the upper room and break bread together for the last time.
And then after that Jesus walks probably 1200 yards where he began to pray, and we remember it…Father, if it is possible, take this cup from Me. But nethertheless, not my will but Thy will be done.”
And the pressure is so intense, it says his sweat turned to drops of blood.
And from there they traveled just a bit further, which John records this way . . .
1 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. 4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 “I told you that I am he,” Jesus answered. “If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.” 10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” 12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people.
John
So, this is the account of the arrest of Jesus, which also introduces us to the first of Jesus’ trials...
12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people.
So, again, this was about 2AM and they brought Jesus, first before Annas, who was the former High Priest and who served as the advisor to the current High Priest, who happened to be his son in law Caiaphas.
Annas role was to serve as the “qualifying” judge to see if Jesus needed to go before Caiaphas, which he decided Jesus did, so about 2:30AM they usher Jesus on to Caiaphas, who had also gathered together the Sanhedrin for his next trial.
This is also where the Bible records Peter denying Jesus three times and the rooster crowing by the way.
Our Bible tells us in that . . .
55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. 57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.’ ” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death.
So, again we see the same pattern taking place.
The High Priest asking Jesus to answer to his accusers to which He remains silent.
In fact, the only thing Jesus did answer was when Caiaphas asked Jesus “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” or “The Son of God.”
To that Jesus answers . . .
62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Mark 14:62-
And at that Caiphas hears enough and rules that Jesus has committed blasphemy and deserves the death sentence.
However, there are a few problems with Caiaphas’ trial.
It was a night, which was illegal.
Jesus had no representation, which was illegal.
And, the Jews had no power to carry out a death sentence, that had to be done by the Romans.
So, Caiaphas has to try and take care of the first two problems, so the convened a 3rd trial ...
1 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and turned him over to Pilate.
Mark 15:1
They waited until 6AM (daylight) and made their decision on Jesus and then sent him to Pilate for sentencing—they never did offer Jesus any sort of representation though.
Jesus arrives at Pilates around 6:30AM and Pilate hears all the Jewish arguments and he asks Jesus . . .
2 “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. 3 The chief priests accused him of many things. 4 So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.” 5 But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.
Mark
So, again the only thing Jesus acknowledged was that he was the “King of the Jews...” nothing else.
The fact that Jesus was not defending himself, amazed Pilate, but ultimately he didn’t care, he was just trying to think of a way to get out of it all together, so he decides that Jesus is under Herod’s jurisdiction.
6 On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. 7 When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.
Luke 23:
Herod, by the way was the governor, who was appointed over the Jews by Rome—and Herod was a Jew by the way.
Herod, by the way was the governor, who was appointed over the Jews by Rome—and Herod was a Jew by the way.
So, now on to Herod for trial #5...
Luke 23:8-
8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform some miracle. 9 He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him.
Herod was more interested in seeing if Jesus would perform a miracle and entertain him, but ultimately found that Jesus had done nothing wrong, so he decides he is going to send him back to Pilate to deal with.
11 Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. 12 That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this they had been enemies.
Luke 23:
And this back and forth between Herod and Pilate was just a game to them.
They could have cared less about the Jews and about Jesus’ life.
They were just making sport of the whole thing.
But this continued to drag on and they had to put an end to it at some time.
So around 7:30AM, Jesus winds up back with Pilate for trial #6, if you are keeping count.
And here is what Pilate ruled . . .
13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.”
Luke 23:13-
Herod found Jesus NOT GUILTY
Pilate found Jesus NOT GUILTY
So, ultimately the Roman ruling on Jesus was just, but the Jews continued to go on and on about it, to the point that Pilate was afraid they would riot.
And he really didn’t care anyway so . ..
24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.
Luke 23:
Now remember 700 years earlier . . .
7 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.
Point 2
Point 2
Point 3
Point 3
Altar Call
Altar Call
Now, that’s a great history lesson into the trial of Jesus, but honestly what’s the point?
How does that help us with our 21st century problems that we face?
What does that
Sure, we want to reflect and remember what Jesus went through, but how does it help us face what we are going through?
Here is the point..Jesus suffered and kept his mouth shut…not defending himself at all…not trying to get out of this unjust punishment for one reason.
All of us.
He suffered for all of us, so that ultimately we would not have to.
I said something last week that you may not have caught.
Everything that happened in our Bible typically followed a pattern.
Everything is presided over by God the Father, carried out by God the Son, and empowered by God the Spirit.
God is present in every aspect of our lives, even our suffering.
God does not CAUSE our suffering—there are many reasons we suffer, but God is not the cause.
However, God is present with us to help us through it.
To walk with us.
We are not left to suffer alone and defend ourselves alone.
Satan will try to convince us that we are alone, but he is a liar, and it is not true.
God is with us and wants to be part of every aspect of our lives, but we have to let him.
And sometimes that is hard because frankly, sometimes we get mad at God wondering “why.”
And we decided that we are not going to talk to God anymore.
That is not the answer.
The answer is to release ourselves to God.
Release the fear and anxiety to God.
Release the anger to God.
Rest in God’s presence.
And this morning , that is what God wants us to do—Rest in him.
If you need to, come to the altar.
Or pray where you are—either way, rest in God’s presence.
Connect with God this morning and leave here knowing that He is with you.
That you are not alone.
We are never alone.