To Defend or Not to Defend

Matthew 27:12-14 (NLTSE)
[12] But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. [13] “Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?” Pilate demanded. [14] But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise.

Jesus made no response to any of the charges. How often is our first response when we are accused is to respond in our own defense. I don’t know about you, but I find it quite easy to come to my own defense. Right or wrong, our human response seems to be a defense mechanism. Whether that is part of the normal human response or just our lack of Godly character, I’m not sure.

I can look back at numerous time when I have been accused (ok, caught) in the wrong. I messed up. I blew it. I failed. I sinned. When confronted with the truth, I knew it. However, something inside hates that, and I defended. I rationalized. I made excuses. I spin the situation to make it all ok. Yet, the truth is, “I was wrong.”

To know that Jesus would not defend is easy for us to understand. He has perfect character, and we do not. What’s more difficult to comprehend is when lied about and falsely accused, He’s STILL quiet. Disturbingly quiet. Painfully quiet.

I remember back several years ago when I was preparing to go into what I knew would be a confrontational meeting. I clearly remember the Holy Spirit speaking to me, and He said, “Do not defend yourself.” That meeting was one of the most difficult I’ve experienced because I just sat there and listened and took it like a man. Simultaneously, the boy inside was screaming out loud in my defense. I learned a valuable lesson that day and the Scripture in Matthew 27 reminded me of it.

When challenged, confronted, accused, or lied about (and sooner or later you will be) remember what was said about Jesus. He “made no response to any of the charges.”