Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Pilate asked him again, ‘Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.’ But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.”
NL Daily Devotion for Friday, April 3, 2020
by R. Fergus Moir, Clergy Stuff
Isaiah had foretold the silence of the suffering servant. (Is 53:7) But I still wonder: if Jesus had spoken up, would Pilate have released him? The text leads us to believe so. Therefore, Jesus’ choice to remain silent was a choice to go on to the violent end. In that case, of course Pilate would be amazed—who doesn’t try to defend himself? Especially when the stakes are so high?
All this points to what Paul will later call the seeming foolishness of the gospel. That God would allow God’s self to be put to death in a moment of complete identification and solidarity with God’s beloved humanity, to proclaim that God’s love for us was so complete, that God wanted to be in relationship with us so deeply, God was willing to literally go all the way to hell with us and back.
For us, silence is dangerous. We cannot remain silent in the face of the rampant injustice done to people all over this world. God calls us to speak up for the cause of justice. But in this one case, in the case of Jesus’ decision to walk on to his own crucifixion, Jesus’ silence is a resounding, deafening proclamation of God’s love for us.
Loving God, I know you walk with me through whatever challenges I face in my life, and experience with me the pain of my difficulties. Thank you for your choice to suffer with me. Amen.
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