I used to wonder a lot why, when he was on trial before the Sanhedrin (and later Pilate), Jesus chose to remain mostly silent in his defense, instead of doing what you or I think we'd like to have seen him do instead: reveal himself as the Messiah and God's only Son, expose the falseness of their accusations ... and then administer the trusty temple whip to some self-righteous backsides.
Of course, if Jesus had ripped apart his accusers' challenges before the Sanhedrin and proved himself innocent of the charges alleged against him, then neither the crucifixion nor the resurrection would have taken place ... and you and I would have nothing more to look forward to than a scorching, eternal weekend in Brimstone Lake.
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Later on, it occurred to me that Christ's silence in the face of his accusers might have another explanation as well: that the folks who accused him were so pious, and so devout in their legalistic self-righteousness, that they couldn't see the Messiah, God's son, standing in the flesh right in front of them.
Their hearts were hard ... to the point that the Pharisees not only refused, but were unable, to look past themselves to see the obvious: this man is the Son of God. Not even when Christ was standing no more than arm's-length away. (Might even call their religious perspective "eternal short-sightedness.")
What about Pilate? Pilate was more interested in amusing himself with his own smugness and proving his intellectual nimbleness than with humbling himself at the feet of the King of Kings and begging for his forgiveness.
Christ knew what was in their hearts, so what point was there in arguing, debating or "trying to convert" them? They saw The Light in the flesh, yet still they could not see. Their ears were filled with God's words, yet still they could not hear. They beheld The Prince of Peace, yet still they were consumed by rage, indignation and hate.
So they slapped and spat in the Messiah's face, tore their clothes in a self-righteous fit and asked Pilate to have him crucified.
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Funny, isn't it, how we think our words are just noises we make with our mouths ... when words actually echo what's deep inside our hearts.
