Mark 15:5 “But Jesus made no further answer; so Pilate was amazed.”

I have to tell you – I hate being falsely accused. I immediately jump into defensive mode and begin to formulate my response while the other person is still talking. I don’t even wait for an invitation to respond. I quickly start talking.

I need to stop and do what Jesus did in this passage. When He was being falsely accused by the religious leaders, He just stopped talking. Why? He was innocent! He had NEVER done anything wrong (I can’t say that). But it would not have mattered what He said. They were intent on killing Him. He was just in their way.

It is not wrong to defend ourselves. I am not saying that. But we need to really listen to the accuser’s words. Perhaps their accusation is really a cry for help. Perhaps they need us to correct a misperception so they can return to fellowship with us and God. We can actually be a healing balm for them – if we would just listen.

What can we teach our children from this passage? Simple! Shut your mouth! Now, I don’t mean that in a cruel way. I mean we need to teach them to guard their words carefully. If they haven’t been accused of something they didn’t do yet, they will. Someone will point a finger at them and declare to the world that they are the guilty one when in fact they are innocent. But just like Jesus, they too can keep silent. Wait! Be patient. Let the right time come to respond. Jesus will give them the words to say when it is time – not before.

Now Mom and Dad, can you practice that today? Can you “shut your mouth”? Let Jesus be your Defender against your accuser. He will!