Simple Thoughts – Quietness

Occasionally I will be dwelling on a verse or passage, ruminating on the message, (or to be honest, wandering off into some undisciplined daydreaming), and the Lord will bless me with a truth that is so obvious, so fresh and such a blessing that I just want to share it with you.

It was a Friday morning and on my way to work, Mark 14 queued up as the scripture I was listening to. It is the night of the arrest of the Lord. The last Passover had been celebrated, and the Lord and His disciples were in Gethsemane. Jesus had spoke to His disciples about the betrayer being at hand, with Judas showing up immediately. Judas, a crowd with swords and clubs, and the religious elite.

Thugs and the religious elite!

Make note of that in your soul my friend. The religious elite were the driving force behind this abduction, this forced seizure of the Son of Man. Of course He knew. Jesus knew His future, and the settled action of the religious elite with their thugs.

Jesus was brought before the council, that of the high priest, the chief priest, the elders and the scribes. Of course this was at night, and the council sought outside testimony in order to convict the Lord. Eventually the council found no testimony that could be used against the Messiah. Frustration must have been at a fever level, and the chief priest could take it no longer.

60 And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” 61 But he remained silent and made no answer. Mar 14:60-61a ESV

But He remained silent and made no answer. Jesus was in control.

Later that day, as I was chatting with my boss, he spoke of a fellow in our office, and his tendency to constantly talk when he is nervous.

I personally have been struggling recently with discussions in meetings with folks who speak over others, who are relentless in making themselves heard. In one discussion, I had to raise my voice to get the others attention. Why?

Is it that the message being touted is wrong? It may be, and there is a time when error has to be rebuked verbally. More on that later.

Is it that I am insecure? I gladly confess that I am insecure in my position, I have taken a position I am woefully unprepared for, and am going through the wringer in my adapting to new situations. Much of my struggle in clearly communicating messages stems from my professional inadequacy. Things are improving and for that I am thankful.

Is it that the other communicator is insecure. The more I listen and seek to “hear” the discussion, the more I am becoming aware of this possibility. Not all are such, but it helps to understand that we are all just a bit insecure.

But not Him. Not the Son of Man! He had the strength of character to remain silent.

I mentioned above that there is a time to rebuke error verbally. Based on the above Scripture, there is a time for quietness also. For the truth to be evident simply by it’s presence. Jesus remained silent and made no answer. Remember dear friend, that He knew what was ahead. The chief priest couldn’t hold back. He knew he had no case against the Son.

Mark 14:61 … the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”

The chief priest was desperate. He gambled the entire proceedings on this question. No one else could help the chief priest in convicting the Holy One. The chief priest resorted to the very source of all truth.

Could Jesus have stayed silent? He didn’t.

Mark 14:62 And Jesus said, “I am…

As believers, we all know this single statement, the “I am” was the linchpin of truth that set the court in flames. Death was the verdict and the hatred began to be poured out on the Righteous One.

The characteristics of truth telling became a little clearer for me that morning. To tell the truth, to speak of reality instead of a façade of false hopes and empty dreams, to speak the truth properly is to have a characteristic of quietness, a security and a calmness.

Now I admit, I am imagining that as the Messiah spoke the truth of His identity, that He spoke it with a calmness and security. The text does not explicitly describe His demeanor, yet there is no “arguing” with the Chief Priest, but just a simple statement of the truth. Truth that would take Him to the cross.

Later that night, as my wife and I were ruminating through 1 Peter, we came across 3:15.

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, – 1Peter 3:15 ESV

Quietness, gentleness, respect. Such odd characteristics of truth tellers for us who can argue an opponent to the ground. Are we not to shout it from the roofs, defend our position with arguments of logic and reason. Yes, and yet the characteristic of truth telling cannot be denied. Quietness, gentleness, respect.

Truth is not so fragile that we should feel threatened if it is attacked. Truth seemingly can be defeated at times, with the lies of this world apparently gaining acceptance and power. This should not surprise us, as the battle has often appeared to be lost for those clinging to the truth. The Scriptures are multitudinous of this fact!

Truth can be crucified, but Truth does not stay down, does not go away and does not disappear.

Truth, as the Scripture above instructs us, is to be found in the the Lord Jesus Christ, the fountainhead of truth. Be settled in this fact. Sanctify the Lord Jesus in your heart. As the Lord Jesus abides with you, you will increase in your steadfastness, your settled confidence, your spirit of quietness. And you will naturally defend the truth with quietness, gentleness and respect.

The Truth is your friend. The lies we listen to are not. Seek Him. And experience a quietness of soul.

---

Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion.

Follow Considering the Bible on WordPress.com