From Matthew 26:57-68 / The Deafening Sound of Silence

This scene is disturbing on so many fronts. The illegality (according to Jewish law) of a nighttime trial; the way the prosecution went about seeking false witnesses; its clandestine nature – we know there were those like Nicodemus who appear to be absent (they did not need the entire Sanhedrin of 71, only a quorum of 23 – easier to manage without dissenting voices); the brutality of the guards, etc.. This was not a true trial at all. It was instead a mere formality to accomplish what some had wanted all along, with but the thinnest veneer of legitimacy.

Note first: This is always the the way it is when men put God on trial.

Those who wish to refuse the right of God to have supremacy over their lives, will always seek the most meager means to deny that He exists, or to cast aspersions upon the character of God so as to make their rejection legitimate to themselves and others.

How can a good God allow pain and suffering? Why doesn’t God verify His existence to our satisfaction? Why does He reveal Himself in the Word progressively and not all at once? Why so many strange commands? While we may legitimately wonder at some things, we must always remember, God is not on trial – we are, Humanity is. He does not owe us answers as to why things are the way they are. Why in His sovereign discretion He has made certain choices, and arranged life and the universe the way He has.

It is the height of human pride, arrogance and hubris that finds us thinking God should do things differently. That He should order things according to our sensibilities, preferences and fallen reason. We may rest assured (based upon the revelation we do have) that He has chosen what is always best, wisest and good in His own eyes, and it is ours to say “yea, and amen” to His determinations.

To go back the Apostle Paul’s words in Rom. 9:20 – “Who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?”

This is at the very core of the heart of fallen humanity – God being weighed in our personal balances. And until we bow to the reality of Genesis 1:1 – we cannot, we will not deal with God rightly. Until we cry out with David: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Ps. 139:23-24) we will continually try to flip the equation upside down. We do not judge God – period. We stand to be judged before Him.

Note secondly: When charged, Jesus makes no answer.

This is owing to at least two things.

a. He refused to be judged – period. He will not answer, because He as God need give no answer, and they deserve none. He will not dignify their perverse trial of Him. He will not enter into their folly with them. And what they take as weakness, is His demonstration of His true position. But they didn’t get it. Often, neither do we.

While Job never openly charged God falsely, he did imply all along that God owed him some sort of explanation for his suffering. He did indeed want to enter into that debate. He wanted to move the discussion as to why things were as they were, rather than settling his heart simply in the sovereignty and goodness of God. And all too often, I am right there with him. Maybe you are too. Faith must fuel our hearts and minds more than the need to understand what may well be inscrutable. So often, the “whys” remain hidden from our eyes. But if we can rest in the “Who” in whose hands we reside – we can await the day of unveiling in His presence. But if we will not settle ourselves there, we will always carry the tinge of the questioning Sanhedrin about ourselves as well.

b. Behind all of this, is Jesus refusal to defend Himself against any accusations, because, He was aware He was bearing the guilt of OUR sins.

And for our sins, there is no defense. There are no excuses. Whatever He may have been accused of, we certainly have been guilty of. He bore the true accusations of God against us. He was in the process of “canceling the record of debt that stood against us with is legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” (Col. 2:14) He would not try to declare Himself innocent while bearing our guilt.

O what a wonderful Savior!

O the holiness and wonder of His silence.

Deny Himself? This He could not do. Regardless of how unable they were to recognize it, or respond to it – He said plainly who He was. He answers Caiaphas: You’ve uttered the words – but you haven’t the slightest concept of what it really means. The only way you can see me for who and what I am, is to see me exalted to the right hand of the Father – as the One who comes to judge all mankind.

Note thirdly: As the entry in the Moody Commentary on this portion reads: “The only times He spoke were to answer questions related to His identity _{¹¹ Vanlaningham, Michael G. 2014. “Matthew.” In The Moody Bible Commentary, edited by Michael A. Rydelnik and Michael Vanlaningham, 1509. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers.}

And beloved, this is the only way any can recognize Him rightly – as the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power (Ps. 110:1) – the one who judges all. Salvation is bound up in this: “This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)

So let me ask you Reader – do YOU know Him? This is the God, robe din human flesh, who took the weight of human sin upon His own shoulders, for all who would see Him, know Him, and flee to Him as He is – the judge of all the World. Who commands all men everywhere to repent. His loving arms, remain open wide to receive all who will come by faith.