Actions Speak Louder than Words

Matthew 27:11-14

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

¹¹ Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

“Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.

¹² When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer.  ¹³ Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?”  ¹⁴ But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2027:11-14&version=NIV1984)

I have often wondered why Pilate was so surprised at the unresponsiveness of Jesus.  In Matthew it says that many charges were brought against Jesus but it does not say what
 they are.  So I looked in the other Gospels and found an answer in Luke 23:13 – 16.

¹³ Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, ¹⁴ and said to them,

 “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have 
examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. 
 ¹⁵ Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing
 to deserve death.¹⁶ Therefore, I will punish him and then release him. 

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2023%20:%2013%20-%2016&version=NIV1984)

Jesus was being accused of stirring the crowds to the point of a rebellion.  They were 
probably accusing Him of trying to overthrow the government.  Yet Jesus stood before this man, who probably did not go lightly on Jesus, and Jesus remained silent. 

Have you ever been falsely accused of something?  Chances are you didn’t just stand by 
and be silent about it.  Chances are you spoke up for yourself and pointed the finger to the wrongful accusers.  Jesus, He maintained His composure and let Pilate interrogate Him all 
He wanted.  This is not the behavior of a rebellious leader.  A rebellious leader will go down only after a fight and Pilate could see that Jesus did not have that type of a personality.  He knew by Jesus’ silence that He was not trying to stir up a rebellion.

The question for today is a tough one.  If we are to be like Christ, how are we doing in this
 area of our lives?  Are we fighting to the end or are we displaying Christ through our actions?  Do we prove our innocents through our actions or do we prove that we are guilty through our actions? 

As you seek Him, may you learn more and more about the ways of Christ so that your actions will always speak volumes as to the character of Christ because Christ lives 
within you.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila