The Lord Jesus spoke with great authority and not like the scribes (Mark 1:22). Grace was poured out on his lips (Ps 45:2). All the people hung on his words (Lk 19:48). Even the servants of the chief priests and the Pharisees had to testify that no man had ever spoken like Him (John 7:46).

However, it was not only His words that were unique, but also His silence. The prophet Isaiah testified of Him: “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth” (Is 53:7).

When the Lord Jesus was heaped with outrageous accusations in court, He remained silent. To Pilate’s great astonishment, He also remained silent after the governor asked Him to take a stand (Mt 27:12-14). And He did not protest during all the abuse during the court sessions and after His condemnation.

How fiercely a person normally defends himself when he is maliciously accused and unjustly treated! How much he rebels when he faces death and has to endure torment! Yet the Lord Jesus was like a lamb quietly led to the slaughter and like a sheep willingly enduring the painful procedure of shearing.

How could Jesus remain calm in the face of screaming injustice? He was able to do so because He “submitted” to the will of His Father and handed Himself over to Him who judges righteously (1 Peter 2:23). Through His holy silence, He bore eloquent witness to His humility and submission.

We can rightly say: Never has a man been as silent as this man! And this glory of his silence fills our hearts and mouths with adoration.