Silence of the Lamb

Isa 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 her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

The world prides itself on sons & daughters who are eloquent, assertive, confrontational, and confident. Silence is an outmoded virtue, often associated with negative qualities. We are often urged to speak up and stand up for our rights. However, the loudest & most effective message that one can deliver is sometimes through silence.

Silence hits you right where it should. It sets you thinking and pondering, amidst all the quietness. It gives you an opportunity to reflect, which is the whole reason why a message is being communicated.

When Jesus faced the accusing crowd bent on sentencing Him to be crucified, He could have made an elaborate case and defended Himself, as He had often taught with confidence and authority at the synagogues. As the Word of God, one would have expected a stream of words to flow from Him at the time when He was being challenged with false accusations. However, knowing that the sins of man cannot be defended in anyway that pleases God, He stated His case in silence. Jesus allowed his silence to hit home the message that Man is guilty of sinning against God, even though He Himself carried no guilt. He deemed His self-defence irrelevant to the larger unsaid accusations against Man.

It's no coincidence that the one who speaks the most is often guilty of something which he tries to gloss over with sweet and persuasive words. With man, this works like a charm, but with God, it's totally useless. Remember the tale of the Pharisee and tax collector.

Luke 18: 9-14 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

At times, my prayer consists of just these words "God, sorry that I have sinned against you. Please forgive me; I need your help." I cannot say anything else, especially when the Holy Spirit puts my sins and hurts in the right perspective. Followed by silent cries in the heart, these are moments which bring restoration and healing. These are moments when the touch of God becomes more comforting than what self-justifying words could bring.

Oh, Jesus, the silent Lamb of God, thank you for all that you have done for me and taught me. You mean more to me than anything in this world. Please forgive me of my sins in actions, words and thoughts. Purify me from all unrighteousness and help me live in a manner that pleases you.

Thomas