THE MARVEL OF SILENCE

Text: Mat 27:11 And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.
Mat 27:12 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
Mat 27:13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
Mat 27:14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

Intro: As Christ stood before Pilate, his silence in the face of the accusations, caused the ruler to marvel. Here was one who stood in silence, while others would have been raving against the accusers or trying to justify themselves. Christ needed to do none of this, for his life and actions spoke for themselves. How different from the cringing, whining, blaspheming rabble which usually stood in this place.

I. This was the silence of dignity.
As a king, he refused to submit to the cries of a mob and be intimidated by them.

II. this was the silence of Obedience.
A. John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Will the Son of God now fight against his own eternal purpose?!

III. The world will still marvel many times at the silence of a child of God. Let's learn when to keep our peace.
Eccl 3:7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A. The silence of Obedience and Worship.
Hab 2:20 But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.

B. The silence of Meditation.
Psa 63:6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.

C. The silence of listening.
Eccl 9:17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
D. The silence of assurance.
2 Tim 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

E. Silence in the face of reviling.
1 Pet 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
1 Pet 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
1 Cor 4:12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

F. The quiet of waiting on God.
Lam 3:26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

G. The quietness of service.
2 Th 3:12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
1 Th 4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
[Cartoon of piano tuners with sledge hammers, "Watch ME!"}

H. The quietness of satisfaction.
Eccl 4:6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
God's people have nothing to complain about.