Scripture Reflection: Matthew 27:12-14
“When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, ‘Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?’ But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.”
The Courtroom of the Living Room
As a parent of three, I frequently find myself playing judge. A child approaches me, finger pointed, leveled with accusations. The dialogue usually spirals into a predictable cycle:
- Child 1: “He messed up my room!”
- Child 2: “I was just trying to play!”
- Child 1: “No, you were ruining the game on purpose.”
- Child 2: “Well, you didn’t have to push me!”
The argument loops endlessly—a whirlwind of anger, blame, and defensive maneuvering. Each child is desperately trying to evade punishment and “win” the narrative.
The Weight of the Accusing Finger
I have stood on the receiving end of that accusing finger many times. It hurts most when the accusation doesn’t resonate with my actual intentions or heart. It feels like a “throat chop” to my hard work. It is deflating—like a punch that sucks the life and motivation right out of you, leaving you like a collapsed, discarded balloon.
In the face of that pointing finger, my instinct is to defend. It feels like a gun directed at my soul. I often err by launching into feeble, frantic explanations of my perspective, my thought process, and “my truth.” I hope that if I offer a solid enough exposition, that finger will finally be returned to its holster. Sometimes, the accuser even demands that explanation.
The Silence of the Savior
If I had stood before Pilate, I would have spoken up—loudly. Based on my usual behavior, I would have shouted about the absurdity of the lies. I would have expounded on the good I’d done, even reminding them that I told people to pay their taxes! I like to imagine my defense would have been my salvation because it would have been so articulate, honest, and heartfelt.
But Jesus did nothing.
He made no attempt to prove his worth. He wasn’t there to save himself; he was there to bear the guilt of every accusation. He didn’t defend himself because he was making himself the target for every “gun-pointing finger” ever leveled—including the ones meant for me. He shouldered the verdict I deserved.
The Confidence of the Son
My children usually fall silent when I finally say, “Stop. You’re wrong, and you know it.” In those moments, the defense vanishes because they are caught. The best they can offer is an apology.
Jesus couldn’t even offer that—it would have been a lie. He had done nothing wrong. Yet, he remained silent, just as a guilty party would when there is no defense left. He also knew exactly who he was: the Son of God, perfectly loved by the Father. He didn’t need to prove himself to men who only thought they had power. He remained silent because the only perspective that mattered was God’s.
Rest in the Verdict
There it is: Confidence in God removes the need to defend. I don’t need to run through a mental list of my accomplishments or intentions to justify my existence. A defense is unnecessary because He already knows, He already loves, and He already paid the price. I can simply be in His presence and rest—even when the “me” in question is actually guilty.
“The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? … For false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” — Psalm 27:1, 12-13
This is the confidence where I want to reside. I don’t have to prove my “rightness” or my reasoning. I can simply rest in the work, sacrifice, and victory of Jesus.
That is enough. I don’t have to prove anything.