It struck me yesterday how on several occasions Jesus remained silent when addressed. Ignoring people seems impolite, but as the supreme God Jesus was never under any obligation to speak - especially to those who did not believe He was the Son of God and refused to trust Him. If they would not listen or believe the words He spoke, why bother? Many times Jesus spoke truth to people who did not heed Him because He is gracious, but His unexpected silences have me thinking.
I do not assume I know exactly why Jesus remained silent, but the Bible relates many times when He was. When the woman caught in adultery was brought to Him by the scribes and Pharisees, He stooped and wrote on the ground as if He did not hear. When questioned by Pilate, Jesus was rebuked for not answering the one who had "power" to release him. He was also brought before King Herod who was keen to see Jesus, and hoped to see a miracle done by Him. Luke 23:9 says, "Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing." All these interactions were attempts to put Jesus on the spot by people who refused to follow Jesus, minds which were stubbornly opposed to faith in Christ.
We are blessed to have the testimony of the Bible, for there is much recorded of the things Jesus said and did. He said to His disciples in Matthew 7:6, "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces." Dogs and pigs are not capable of sanctifying what is holy or treasuring valuable items. It is not in the nature of animals to discern and appreciate such things, and both dogs and swine were unclean for eating under the Law. Jesus warned against entrusting holy things to unholy people, and all it would do is agitate them. Jesus set a good example by following His own commands.
Sometimes in our Christian walks there can be periods of silence, times where the LORD seems strangely quiet. King Saul found the LORD did not answer Him because he had disobeyed God without repentance and sought honour for himself. I believe Christians also can have seasons of the "silent treatment," so to speak, times when God withholds clear directives because we are acting similar to the Pharisees, Pilate, and Herod: we are not trusting in Jesus, are testing Him, believe we are in control, and we want to see a miracle. We are the ones who can resemble snarling dogs and wallowing pigs and in an unrepentant, fleshly state incapable of responding to the wisdom of God honourably and obediently. Praise the LORD He is gracious to speak and when we repent, obey, and look to Jesus in faith we find ourselves hearing Him speak: "Well done, good and faithful servant. Follow me!"
I do not assume I know exactly why Jesus remained silent, but the Bible relates many times when He was. When the woman caught in adultery was brought to Him by the scribes and Pharisees, He stooped and wrote on the ground as if He did not hear. When questioned by Pilate, Jesus was rebuked for not answering the one who had "power" to release him. He was also brought before King Herod who was keen to see Jesus, and hoped to see a miracle done by Him. Luke 23:9 says, "Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing." All these interactions were attempts to put Jesus on the spot by people who refused to follow Jesus, minds which were stubbornly opposed to faith in Christ.
We are blessed to have the testimony of the Bible, for there is much recorded of the things Jesus said and did. He said to His disciples in Matthew 7:6, "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces." Dogs and pigs are not capable of sanctifying what is holy or treasuring valuable items. It is not in the nature of animals to discern and appreciate such things, and both dogs and swine were unclean for eating under the Law. Jesus warned against entrusting holy things to unholy people, and all it would do is agitate them. Jesus set a good example by following His own commands.
Sometimes in our Christian walks there can be periods of silence, times where the LORD seems strangely quiet. King Saul found the LORD did not answer Him because he had disobeyed God without repentance and sought honour for himself. I believe Christians also can have seasons of the "silent treatment," so to speak, times when God withholds clear directives because we are acting similar to the Pharisees, Pilate, and Herod: we are not trusting in Jesus, are testing Him, believe we are in control, and we want to see a miracle. We are the ones who can resemble snarling dogs and wallowing pigs and in an unrepentant, fleshly state incapable of responding to the wisdom of God honourably and obediently. Praise the LORD He is gracious to speak and when we repent, obey, and look to Jesus in faith we find ourselves hearing Him speak: "Well done, good and faithful servant. Follow me!"
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