The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.”
But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.
Mark 15:3-5
When you’re under attack, you bring out the big guns. When someone assaults you or your family, you use your best weapons to counterattack them. Your goal is not to just stop them, but to overwhelm them to the point that they will run for the hills and never darken your door again.
Attack is the secret of defense, defense is the planning of an attack.
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
Jesus is under attack. You could say that his life hangs in the balance. He was being accused of many things. Any one of them would’ve been enough. But they are piling on any and all allegations.
So, what’s Jesus’ strategy for these accusations? What does he do to challenge or correct their caustic charges? What brilliant strategy will Jesus use to pull the preverbal rabbit out of the hat?
Did you hear it? Yep, that right. Silence. Jesus doesn’t make any legal or logical argument. He doesn’t defend himself in any way. His strategy is to make no reply. He gives no correction or explanation.
To say that this was unique is a great understatement. No one says nothing. Quite the opposite. Everyone goes absolutely bonkers to defend themselves. They leave no stone unturned. They use every argument. They’re not afraid to do or say anything to defend themselves.
But Jesus isn’t just anyone. He doesn’t do or say anything because that’s what’s expected. Jesus always, always, always does what’s right. And not right because people think it’s the right thing to do, or it’s the popular thing to do. Jesus acts and says exactly what’s right based on who God is and what he’s said.
And Pilates’ reaction is one of wonder. What kind of man is this? Why doesn’t he respond and destroy their accusations and arguments? This guy must be smart, so why doesn’t he use that brain and come up with something?
But Jesus does none of those things. He does the completely unexpected when it comes to many things in life.
He keeps silent before his accusers.
He touches the untouchables.
He defends the defenseless.
He heals the incurables.
He speaks to the ignored.
Jesus isn’t in it to win some great, cosmic popularity contest. Jesus isn’t defined by whether his social media “likes” go up or down. Jesus doesn’t change his words or message in order to be accepted by people or the media.
Jesus didn’t come for the spiritual people that have all their stuff together. Jesus didn’t come for people who had achieved sinless perfection. Jesus didn’t come to set the bar for us to jump over, or to jump through some heavenly hoops.
No, Jesus speaks and acts according to his priorities.
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Luke 5:32
Jesus wasn’t interested in climbing the corporate or popularity ladder. He wasn’t interested in getting a corner office in the temple. He wasn’t working towards getting his book on the New York Times best sellers list. He wasn’t focused on getting top billing at the next spiritual conference.
For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
John 6:38
Jesus was focused on living for God, Period. He wasn’t in it for himself, but for the one person who mattered most in his life. He did what he did, and said what he said, in order to please the one person in the entire universe that matters most.
Jesus was truly amazing. He lived his life based on his eternal priorities. He acted and spoke, not to please people or even the people in authority. He lived to please God his Father.
It sounds oh so simple, but it’s oh so transformational. It will change your life from the ground up.
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