Mark 15:1-5
15 Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. 2 Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
He answered and said to him, “It is as you say.”
3 And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. 4 Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!” 5 But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.
And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!”But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled. (vss 3-5)
The passivity of Jesus submission to His father’s will continues. Any man would be freaking out at such clear false accusations, but not the Son of Man. Why? Why does He say nothing? Well, as good Lutherans your answer should be “What does Holy Scripture say?” And this is what it says:
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.
(Isaiah 53:7 NKJV, emphasis mine)
According to Isaiah, not only was the Messiah going to suffer cruel punishment on His way to the grave, but He also would do so without opening His mouth. The thought behind this phrase is that the Jesus would not speak in defense of Himself.
Whereas Jesus could have responded to His accusers with “an open mouth” and given a strong, lengthy defense of His innocence, Jesus chose to restrain Himself before His accusers and tormentors. Rather than calling twelve legions of angels to fight this battle for Him (cf. Matthew 26:53), Jesus humbly, passively submitted to His enemies. And He did it for you!
Let us pray: Almighty and everlasting God, grant us your grace so to pass through this holy time of our Lord’s passion that we may obtain the forgiveness of our sins; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
