Silence is Golden…and at times, instructive.
02/05/10 21:59
The
chief priest and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for
evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to
death, but they did not find any. Many testified
falsely against him, but their statements did not
agree. Then some stood up and gave this false
testimony against him: “We have heard him say,
‘I will destroy this man-made temple and in
three days will build another, not made by
man.’” Yet even then their testimony did
not agree. 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?”
But Jesus remained silent and gave no
answer.
If I were a betting man, I would say that Jesus had something to say to those folks but wisdom directed Him into silence. There is no sense in arguing, or trying to explain ‘your side’ of things, if those with whom you are debating just won’t listen. Why try to defend yourself when your accusers are determined in their course against you?
These folks were looking for any reason to kill Him and any false testimony would do. Jesus knew that if His accusers would resort to lies, they certainly wouldn’t hear the truth. During the days of the prophet Amos, Israel was truly wicked and far from God. These folks were very materialistic and looking out for themselves. They didn’t care about the poor and they oppressed the righteous.
It amazes me that in this day and age, we see the very same things going on right here in America. Christianity is being marginalized (that’s a twenty-first century word for oppressed) by the media and being pushed into irrelevance –into silence. “You oppress the righteous and take bribes and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts. Therefore the prudent man keeps quiet in such times, for the times are evil.”
Do you see why Jesus kept silent now? There wasn’t going to be any reasoning with the unreasonable. When the times wax evil, truth becomes vulnerable to lies and vain imaginations. Come on folks, evolution? Why is that even a debate? Why is the Church even having to deal with “ordained homosexual ministers” and other social issues that pertain nothing to the Gospel.
Robert Jaffray, was of the family that owned and published the Toronto Globe and Mail, who converted to Christianity against his family’s wishes. And against their protest, he traveled to Africa and spent his life winning men to Christ. A.W. Tozer testified that Robert Jaffray got to the place where you couldn’t talk to him and just discuss common things. He would look down, maybe answer, maybe not, but then he would begin to talk about God and missions.
Now, I am not suggesting that the Church silence herself in this age, if there ever was a country that needed a prophet –America stands right out there in front. But, I am reminded of two things that Jesus said that I think we have forgotten. One is “don’t cast your pearls before swine” and the other is “…if they won’t listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet.”
Jesus isn’t advocating that we give up on lost souls, but there comes a time when every effort to testify turns into a futile expression of love and received as an antagonistic attack upon their love for an autonomous life-style.
Believe me Church, there will come a time that our silence will be heard and they will long for the day to hear our voice. But until then, may God grant each of us the wisdom of knowing when to speak and when to remain silent.
Think about it,
Pastor Jim
If I were a betting man, I would say that Jesus had something to say to those folks but wisdom directed Him into silence. There is no sense in arguing, or trying to explain ‘your side’ of things, if those with whom you are debating just won’t listen. Why try to defend yourself when your accusers are determined in their course against you?
These folks were looking for any reason to kill Him and any false testimony would do. Jesus knew that if His accusers would resort to lies, they certainly wouldn’t hear the truth. During the days of the prophet Amos, Israel was truly wicked and far from God. These folks were very materialistic and looking out for themselves. They didn’t care about the poor and they oppressed the righteous.
It amazes me that in this day and age, we see the very same things going on right here in America. Christianity is being marginalized (that’s a twenty-first century word for oppressed) by the media and being pushed into irrelevance –into silence. “You oppress the righteous and take bribes and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts. Therefore the prudent man keeps quiet in such times, for the times are evil.”
Do you see why Jesus kept silent now? There wasn’t going to be any reasoning with the unreasonable. When the times wax evil, truth becomes vulnerable to lies and vain imaginations. Come on folks, evolution? Why is that even a debate? Why is the Church even having to deal with “ordained homosexual ministers” and other social issues that pertain nothing to the Gospel.
Robert Jaffray, was of the family that owned and published the Toronto Globe and Mail, who converted to Christianity against his family’s wishes. And against their protest, he traveled to Africa and spent his life winning men to Christ. A.W. Tozer testified that Robert Jaffray got to the place where you couldn’t talk to him and just discuss common things. He would look down, maybe answer, maybe not, but then he would begin to talk about God and missions.
Now, I am not suggesting that the Church silence herself in this age, if there ever was a country that needed a prophet –America stands right out there in front. But, I am reminded of two things that Jesus said that I think we have forgotten. One is “don’t cast your pearls before swine” and the other is “…if they won’t listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet.”
Jesus isn’t advocating that we give up on lost souls, but there comes a time when every effort to testify turns into a futile expression of love and received as an antagonistic attack upon their love for an autonomous life-style.
Believe me Church, there will come a time that our silence will be heard and they will long for the day to hear our voice. But until then, may God grant each of us the wisdom of knowing when to speak and when to remain silent.
Think about it,
Pastor Jim
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