Riff's Christian Journal

Jesus, at any time in any place knew what to say at just the right time … as needed. Yet, when confronted with His own life in danger, He opened not His mouth in His defense. Why?

From Isaiah 53

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 

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 everyone 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.

After His arrest, Jesus was brought before the chief priests and elders and, eventually, Pilate.

From Matthew 27

And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. 

Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? 

And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

When Pilate heard that Jesus was from Galilee He sent Him to Herod.

From Luke 23

And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time. 

And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. 

Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. 

And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. 

And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.

When Herod was finished with Him he sent Jesus back to Pilate who had Him scourged and then delivered Jesus to die.

From John 19

Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,

And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. 

Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. 

And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: 

Where they crucified him.

Jesus knew His destiny, and He kept quiet to accomplish what had been given to Him.

From 1 Corinthians 15

Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 

He was buried, and he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

By His obedience, Jesus became the author and finisher of our faith, to provide for us forgiveness for our sins and to give us eternal salvation.

From Hebrews 12 and 5

Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 

And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Epilogue:

Mat 26:53  Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 

Mat 26:54  But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? 

Mat 26:56  But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.

Yet, He opened not His mouth…