And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” But Jesus kept silent.
Mat 26:62-63
For several months now, we have considered the Apostle Paul as he has been on trial. His situation is very similar to that of the Lord Jesus in our text today. Both were falsely accused by the Jewish leaders, both were viewed by their own countrymen to be guilty of crimes deserving of death, and both were brought for examination before Gentile authorities. However, our text highlights one big difference. Though Christ spoke very little and often “kept silent” as in our text, Paul had much to say.
So, why was Paul’s response so different from the Lord’s? Since he didn’t follow Christ’s example, was he wrong in defending himself? Absolutely not! To understand why, we must understand the purpose of both situations. Jesus had come to lay down His life, and that time had come. It wasn’t an hour to give His defense. In fact, just a few verses before our text, Christ made an important statement about these events: “But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” (Mat 26:56) And what had the prophets said about this moment? In Isa 53:7 we read, “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.” Thus, when questioned, Jesus kept silent. That behavior was the requirement for his experience.
Paul on the other hand couldn’t seem to be quiet! Beginning in Act 22, chapter after chapter the apostle gives his defense. But the purpose of Paul being on trial was completely different from Christ. While Jesus’ trial was about Him being condemned to die, Paul’s multiple trials were about him having an opportunity to preach the gospel while he got an all expenses paid trip to Rome! (God promised that was his destination in Act 23:11) And so, though Paul’s behavior was not at all like Christ’s, he did exactly what was appropriate for his situation.
Here’s the point. We need to understand the unique will of God in each circumstance. There is no cookie-cutter way to follow the Lord. Ecc 3:7-8 highlights this fact stating there is, “A time to tear, and a time to sew; A time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; A time of war, and a time of peace.” Faith requires us to stay on our knees before God to discern the way the Wind of the Spirit is blowing in any given situation. “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2Co 5:7) You and I may be in the exact same circumstances similar to the way Paul and Jesus were but be required to behave completely differently from each other. It’s not easy to walk by faith. We like things to be cut and dried, but God likes us to approach Him as a little child, crying out, “Abba, Father,” confessing our inability while acknowledging that He is able. (Rom 8:15) As the old hymn rightly says, “I need Thee every hour…”
Jamie