He Kept SilentMark 14:60-61

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Introduction“Silence is golden.”

Sometimes it’s better to just listen and refrain from responding; ignore insults and criticisms; turn a deaf ear to absurd accusations.

On the most famous Friday in history Jesus was peculiarly and noticeably silent.

Foretold by Isaiah: Isa. 53:7

“The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a

rightly timed pause.” --Mark Twain

“Speak only if it improves upon the silence.”

--Mahatma Gandhi

“It is better to remain silent at risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and

remove all doubt of it.” --Abraham Lincoln

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Examples of Jesus’ Silence

False witnesses twisted His words: Matt. 26:59-63 If in Jesus’ shoes how would you

respond?

Listen to our critics; inevitably they will twist our words.

Many times the best answer is no answer at all; they won’t listen anyway.

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Examples of Jesus’ SilenceWhen He was “being accused by the chief priests and elders”: Matt. 27:11-14 Jesus’ silence was to Pilate’s

“great amazement.” Why this reaction? People had already made up

their minds; nothing He could have said would have changed their minds.

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Examples of Jesus’ Silence

When He was brought before Herod: Lk. 23:6-12

When He returned to Pilate: Jn. 19:1-9 Jesus’ actions spoke louder than

words: Jn. 14:10-11 He spoke with authority and

power: Matt. 7:29; 21:23-27 Series of confrontations with the

religious elite: Matthew 22

If their minds would not accept Jesus on the

basis of the miracles and His obvious

authority; what could He possibly say now

that would cause them to accept Him?

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What did His silence say?Spoke of His humility: Phil. 2:8 Lead to His exaltation: Phil.

2:9-11

Serves as our example to follow: Phil. 2:1-8

By following His example we too will be exalted! Lk. 14:11

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What did His silence say?Spoke of His surrender and obedience: Matt. 8:20 Surrendered the privileges of

His deity for the frailty of humanity: Heb. 2:14-18; Phil. 2:7

Surrendered voluntarily to be offered as a sacrificial lamb: Lk. 22:42; Matt. 26:53-54

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What did His silence say?

Spoke of His patience:

When we’re challenged by the ignorant and unlearned what is our tendency?

How did Jesus respond? Lk. 23:34

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What did His silence say?Spoke of His vicarious suffering: Heb. 13:12-13 If ever a “time out” needed to

be called! If ever there was a need for a

“do over”! If ever there was a time for a

“hey, hold on, wait just one minute”!

But only silence: Isa. 53:7

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What did His silence say?

Spoke of serenity of spirit, soberness, seriousness of purpose. Prophecy pointed to this

occasion. God’s eternal purpose on the

line! Only way for our means of

redemption to be realized. The most serious, sober, and

solemn occasion imaginable; Jesus handled the situation perfectly!

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Application to our worship services.Communion is a time of silence. Lord’s Supper a time of

solemn meditation: 1 Cor. 11:28-30

Lord’s Supper a time of serious reflection: 1 Cor. 11:26

May be the only time during the week you’re with so many people who are silent!

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Application to our worship services.Communion is a time of humility. Must approach the Supper with a

spirit of a broken heart, contrite spirit, and an unworthy, undeserving and unassuming attitude.

Supper not a time to boast or brag about anything in and of ourselves.

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Application to our worship services.

Communion is a time to express spirit of surrender. Must be willing to give up our

modest credentials. Must yield our earthly place and

position as the Supper reminds all of us are just “common folks.”

At the Supper we are all equals: Sinners!

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Application to our worship services.

Communion is a time to gather in a spirit of mutual love, concern, and forbearance. No place at the Supper for

impatience with one another. Attention entirely upon Him and

what He did for us. Jesus calls all at the Supper to a

higher plane of consciousness.

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Application to our worship services.Communion is a time for tender hearts. Must reflect on His suffering

with broken hearts; my sins put Him there!

He was beaten for me! Mocked and spat upon for me! Experienced unimaginable pain and agony for me! He died for me!

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Application to our worship services.

Communion is a time to express an attitude of extreme seriousness. How should one act at a

funeral? 1 Cor. 11:26

That commands and demands our seriousness and sincerity.

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Conclusion

When we sit in silence and partake of the Supper we are remembering He who suffered in silence for us.

The lamb who was slain for our sins; without His sacrifice we would have no forgiveness of sins and no hope.