Listening to Suffering- Being Silent

7He was oppressed and afflicted,

yet he did not open his mouth;

he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,

and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,

so he did not open his mouth. (Isaiah 53:12)

3The chief priests accused him of many things. 4So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.”

5But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed. (Mark 15;3-5)

Thoughts: The silence of Jesus before his captors is well known.  He did not whine or complain. He did not defend himself.
      The silence is not an accident.  It was prophesied, as an important part of the ministry of the suffering servant.  The servant suffers in silence- not complaining or whining, but full of strength, grace, and hope.   It is the silence of Jesus that shows a trust in God, and a listening to the voice and Spirit of God.  In His silence He trusts in the deliverance of God.
       In our day, we seek to distracted from suffering by texting, tweeting, snapchatting, instagramming, etc.  We need to be still and know that He is God.  We need to stop and listen in the suffering to the still small whisper of God  It is in silence that we can listen best.   Jesus did not ignore His suffering but embraced it.  Not in a masochistic or sadistic kind of way- but in a way of listening.  

Prayer: Lord, let me be still enough to hear you speaking through my pain.