I have read this account numerous times, but every time I do, I find that there is something within me that wants Jesus to act just a bit different than he really did. In particular, I would like Him to switch things up a bit after He was spit and struck in the face and challenged to prophesy to the leaders, and to tell them who it was who struck Him.

Every time I read such words, I want to hear Jesus cry out, “Listen here and listen well, religious leaders, the first one who struck me was ‘John’, son of whoever, from the town of whatever, who grew up and did this and that at the age of nine, and who just did this or that yesterday, and who is thinking this right this moment.”

Interestingly enough, I imagine Jesus saying all this and the religious leaders stopping for a moment or maybe even bowing down before Him. But the fact is, this is not what would have taken place. And, more importantly, if Jesus had uttered such words, His glory would not have been more fully revealed. In fact, He greatness is more revealed by His silence than if He has chosen to speak…at least at this time.

If He had said the words I offered above, the fact is that the religious leaders would have probably said He was demon-possessed. Their hearts were too hard. They were much too concerned about their own position of authority and privilege to allow the truth to get in the way. They were the ones who had succumb to darkness. For they were the ones who could not keep their wicked mouths shut.

But then there is Jesus, who “committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness” (1 Peter 2:22-24).

Jesus endured His suffering on His terms. Amazingly enough, He was in full control in the midst of the greatest injustice the world has ever seen. Where I would have let lose on the foolish and wicked Pharisees, Jesus opened not His mouth. Or at least He opened His mouth exactly as was best, for the glory of God and the good of His people.

May such simple silence in the fact of such great injustice make us marvel at our Savior as we ought. And may it also help us learn when it is wise for us to speak and when it is wise for us to keep our mouths shut.