Isaiah 53.7
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
In Matthew 26.62-63, we read that Jesus would not speak to defend himself before the Sanhedrin. 1 Peter 2.23 says the same, adding that he did not retaliate or threaten back. How unlike us! If we are accused of something wrongly (or indeed rightly!) our first reaction is to stand up for ourselves and argue back, to say it isn’t what it seems, or that we were provoked, or to blame someone else. A defendant in a courtroom is entitled to remain silent, but that is usually because he doesn’t want to risk incriminating himself. But Jesus was silent because he knew this was a path he had to tread, even though it would lead to the cross. This is why in the garden of Gethsemane he could say to the Father “not what I will, but what you will”.
And can it be that I should gain
An int’rest in the Saviour’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
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