The right to silence has been enshrined in many of the world's legal systems, but not in Jesus' day.  The High Priest's question had a more commanding edge, more like, "You are going to answer these accusations!" The bullying tactics of the kangaroo court were met by a wall of divine silence.  Jesus had no intention of defending Himself against liars, or logically strip out the prosecution case, line by line.  After all, He had come to die for liars: He loved them so much that He knew they could not be saved by Him saving His own life.  Is that not uniquely remarkable?

In those days, the person who was silent at the end of an argument, was the loser (there was nothing more to say to challenge the opposing ideas).  But here, there really was nothing more to say!  Not because Jesus was in the wrong, but because God had already spoken as written by Isaiah 53:5-8, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.  We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.  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 its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.”  God had said it ... it was now for Jesus to do it!   And He did, silently going to slaughter, like a lamb.

Although the high priest knew Isaiah’s prophecy, he did not connect it with the accused man in front of him.  He knew what God had written but did not know God or recognise God in the flesh.  He was typical of so many today who pour over sacred writings for enlightenment but remain in the dark because they do not seek light from Jesus.  Even those who read the Old and New Testaments like to think they have eternal life, but if they have not received Christ they are still dead in their sins.  Jesus said, “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” (John 5:39-40).

The ranting of self-important people in public against God, demanding His response - is often disappointed.  God is economical with words; when He has spoken, He does not need to repeat Himself, because His Word lasts for ever (1 Peter 1:25).  The popular press may applaud the self-appointed guardians of atheism, forgetting that God has already spoken, and that Jesus loves them.  That is why He chose to die for them!  Often those who are most abusive are really frightened that the gospel might be true.  So don't hide from them, come out into the open and as they pour their venom - quietly tell them that Jesus died for people just like them!  Whatever they say, they have no real answer until they welcome Jesus in repentance and faith.