Word@Work 192 - Mark 15:3-5
Published: Wed, 08/20/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 15:3-5 The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, "Aren't you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of." But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed. (NIV)
'Over-egging the pudding' is a quaint expression meaning 'to spoil something by putting too much into it'. That was the problem with the religious lawyers. Once they had Pilate's ear (and the accusation of treason was not to be dismissed lightly), they then poured out the venom that was in their hearts: many lies, half truths and twisted truths. Today, the muddle of so-called evidence would be torn apart by defence counsel. And Pilate was not impressed either. Any objective observer would see that Jesus' accusers were using all the verbal sticks they could find to beat Him - it looked like a vendetta.
Matthew 12:35 tells us that evil does not just pour from the mouth - it is pumped from a heart that has been storing evil. And how the religious rulers hated Jesus! He was everything that they were supposed to be, but were not. His words had authority unlike theirs. So their accusations were fuelled by envy (as we shall see in Mark 15:10). None of these could be taken seriously - and certainly Jesus was not going to dignify the venom by responding to it. There are many times when speech is silver but silence is golden.
Jesus was never panicked into defending himself. Truth is its own defence. Even though Pilate had never seen a prisoner react like this, it is a good model. Vindication rarely comes from powerful arguments but from the long term effects of truth. This is an important principle that will save many hours of fretting. Psalm 37:1-7 gives similar advice (do click the link and read - it is excellent medicine for the troubled heart). Place your burden of unfair accusation before the Lord; and leave Him to deal with it. Jesus did.
Prayer: Dear Lord. When I am unfairly treated, help me to rest in You. When I need to take matters further, may I do so only at Your command and in total reliance upon You, and not in anger or arrogance. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
'Over-egging the pudding' is a quaint expression meaning 'to spoil something by putting too much into it'. That was the problem with the religious lawyers. Once they had Pilate's ear (and the accusation of treason was not to be dismissed lightly), they then poured out the venom that was in their hearts: many lies, half truths and twisted truths. Today, the muddle of so-called evidence would be torn apart by defence counsel. And Pilate was not impressed either. Any objective observer would see that Jesus' accusers were using all the verbal sticks they could find to beat Him - it looked like a vendetta.
Matthew 12:35 tells us that evil does not just pour from the mouth - it is pumped from a heart that has been storing evil. And how the religious rulers hated Jesus! He was everything that they were supposed to be, but were not. His words had authority unlike theirs. So their accusations were fuelled by envy (as we shall see in Mark 15:10). None of these could be taken seriously - and certainly Jesus was not going to dignify the venom by responding to it. There are many times when speech is silver but silence is golden.
Jesus was never panicked into defending himself. Truth is its own defence. Even though Pilate had never seen a prisoner react like this, it is a good model. Vindication rarely comes from powerful arguments but from the long term effects of truth. This is an important principle that will save many hours of fretting. Psalm 37:1-7 gives similar advice (do click the link and read - it is excellent medicine for the troubled heart). Place your burden of unfair accusation before the Lord; and leave Him to deal with it. Jesus did.
Prayer: Dear Lord. When I am unfairly treated, help me to rest in You. When I need to take matters further, may I do so only at Your command and in total reliance upon You, and not in anger or arrogance. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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