Silent Defense

What do you do when you know they won't believe you?

Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?” But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” Then he asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” - Matthew 27:11-23

Jesus appears to give up here.

He isn't defending himself.  In fact, he doesn't say anything at all when he was being accused by the chief priests and elders.

Did he realize it was not worth the effort?  Or did he just know their minds were already made up?

In the end, he put his life in the hands of the crowd, which is kind of like what happens today when we find ourselves attacked for our beliefs on social media.

The crowd wants blood, and it doesn't matter if the person they accuse is innocent or guilty.  Once the momentum takes hold, it drives forward, like a tank, and it cannot be stopped.

Jesus may have known that his return in act two of his story, post resurrection, would show them, but not all who accused him would get to see the truth.  When we put blinders on, we rarely find a reason to take them off.

So, those who wrongly accused Jesus went to their graves convinced they had saved the world from evil.

Makes me wonder whether a silent defense is the right approach.

More to come...