Silence of the Lamb

Over and over again the Bible records the silence of God's Lamb in the presence of His accusers (Matthew 26:62,63; Mark 14:60,61, etc.). This is amazing, especially since the witnesses that were hurling charges against Jesus were giving false testimony (Matthew 26:59-61). When we read these Scriptures, we wonder why Jesus did not say something to vindicate Himself. After all, our natural tendency is to justify ourselves even when we are guilty—and how much more so when we are innocent and are being falsely accused.

Why was the dear Saviour so silent? I believe we find at least part of the answer in the great prophecy of Isaiah 53: "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet he opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth" (Isaiah 53:5-7). He was not a sinner, but He fully took the sinner's place.

And here's another thought to consider. If Jesus had risen up in His own defense during His trials, I believe that He would have been so powerful and irrefutable in making His defense that no governor, high priest, or other legal authority on earth could have stood against Him! In other words, if Jesus had taken up His own defense with the intention of refuting His accusers and proving His innocence, He would have won! But we would have lost, and we would be lost for all eternity.

—Adapted from The Passion of Christ and the Purpose of Life by Adrian Rogers. Copyright (c) 2005 by Adrian Rogers.

"Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself" (Luke 24:27).

In the Pentateuch we have the FIGURES of the sufferings of Christ. In the Psalms we have the FEELINGS of the sufferings of Christ. In the Prophets we have the FORECASTS of the sufferings of Christ. In the Gospels we have the FACTS of the sufferings of Christ. In the Epistles we have the FRUITS of the sufferings of Christ. —H.G.G.