“The Silence That Enhances The Fulfilment Of God’s Plan!”

“The Silence That Enhances The Fulfilment Of God’s Plan!”(Mk. 15:1-20).
The Sanhedrin tried Jesus and “condemned him as worthy of death” as we read yesterday. The charge was blasphemy. They acted in defense of their God and people.
However, since Israel was under Roman control, they had no power to execute anybody. That was why “very early in the morning” they “reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.”
Pilate could not hear a case of blasphemy, so they changed the charge against him from blasphemy to treason.
If Jesus claimed to be the king of the Jews that was high treason. Pilate asked to know if Jesus was the king of the Jews? Jesus replied, “Yes, it is as you say.” Even though the chief priests accused him of many things,” and with promptings from Pilate to defend himself, “Jesus still made no reply.”
Silence is an answer that is often deep and profound and makes the accusers uncomfortable. Besides, when they have “reached a decision ” as the entire Sanhedrin did that early morning, there is nothing your defense can do to change their decision!
Pilate played along with them, “knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests handed Jesus over to him.”
Pilate wanted to release him as it was customary at the Feast that he release a prisoner. The people preferred the release of Barabbas, an insurrectionist. And for Jesus, they shouted, “Crucify him!”
Pilate asked them, “Why? What crime has he committed?” They shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
For political expediency Pilate decided to satisfy the crowd. Pilate knew the chief priests could influence the crowd to accuse him before Caesar that he was friendly with a treasonous person. Pilate asked Jesus to be flogged and handed over to be crucified.
After deriding and mocking him, “they led him out to crucify him.”
You see my friend, you may be fishing in a stream all day, but your enemies can still accuse you of having raised the dust that is all around. It is unfortunate that popular opinion holds that the majority is always right. Far from it, in most cases the majority is wrong!
Oh yes, as Karl Marx said, “the ruling ideas are that of the ruling class.” The people who accused Jesus were the ruling class and Jesus stood alone. Anything he would have said would not have changed the decision that had been reached. He must die!
Oh, how stupid and foolish is the wisdom of the wisest! If only they knew, they would have done everything to see that Jesus should stay alive!
No truer words were said before Jesus’ time, than these words from Joseph, the dreamer; the prototype of Jesus. He told his brothers: “…You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives…”(Gen. 50:19). Yes, all things work for the good of those who love God and who have been called according to his purpose.
The God of good times is the same God of bad times. Trust him under any condition.
Maundy Thursday prayer: Holy Spirit strengthen my spirit to accept bad times with fortitude. Amen!
Have a blessed Maundy Thursday! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.