Mark 14:55-65
Be Still: Lord, teach me to trust you in moments when silence feels harder than speaking. Amen.
Read: Mark 14:55-65
The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. … But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. (vv55–56, 61)
Encounter: The trial of Jesus was filled with noise, false witnesses shouting accusations, leaders pressing for answers, voices demanding condemnation ‘Crucify him… Crucify him’. And yet, during it all, Jesus remained silent.
That silence wasn’t weakness. It was another demonstration of strength. Jesus had nothing to prove and nothing to defend. He entrusted himself fully to the Father, even when the lies mounted and the verdict was predetermined, his crucifixion imminent.
I find that silence is one of the hardest responses. When I’m misunderstood, accused, or treated unfairly, my instinct is to justify myself, to fight for my reputation, or to correct the story. Yet here, Jesus shows a different way. His silence was not passive; it was an act of faith. It was choosing to let God be his defender – he didn’t need to say another word.
There are moments in life when words won’t fix a situation, when arguments only deepen division, and when defending oneself only fuels the fire. In those moments, silence can feel like surrender. But in Jesus’ example, I see that silence can also be trust, trust that God sees, God knows, and God will bring truth that the world needs to hear.
When Jesus finally breaks his silence, (in response to the High Priest's question: 'Are you the Messiah?') it is not to defend himself but to confess his identity: 'I am… and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One.' His words are purposeful; it’s not reaction. That challenges us to ask: when we speak, are we driven by fear, or are we grounded in truth?
Apply: Think of one situation where you feel pressure to defend yourself, prove your worth, or have the last word. Ask God if silence might be an act of trust in him. Then, commit to respond – not out of fear, but out of faith.
Devote: Jesus, thank you for showing strength in silence. Help me to trust you as my defender, even when I’m misunderstood or treated unfairly. Teach me when to be silent and when to speak truth.