What Jesus Didn't Say.

It is at this time every year when the thoughts of Christians are most on the crucifixion and Resurrection. It is the darkest day of eternity and then three days later the brightest. God crucified. God risen. And this is our hope. That Jesus died our death so that we may live eternally His life. 

Antonio Ciseri's depiction of Christ before Pilate.

Much has been made of Christ's last words, and rightly so. But what has always amazed me, what has humbled me and broken my heart, is what He didn't say. He stood silent before His accusers scripture says, He who was guiltless did not defend himself and all the while the guilty, in hellish accord, screamed crucify him. And what is more He did it for them, bore their sickness, their shame, and their iniquity. Still they mocked Him and they cursed Him, but he never said a word.


He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? - Isaiah 53:7-8

He could have pointed His finger at anyone in the room and exposed their darkest guilt, every loathsome deed they'd ever done. But He was silent. And not just silent but willing to take the blame. And of course mine too. And that crushes my soul with sorrow.


Here is one of my very favorite bands The Welcome Wagon performing their rendition of an old spiritual. The video clip is Jesus before Pilate from the movie Passion Of The Christ.




May we who call ourselves followers of Christ take His defenseless posture. May we turn our cheeks, may we be makers peace, may we love those who have made us their enemies and may we bear their burdens that they may see Him and His love in us. 

Husband and wife Vito and Monique Aiuto are The Welcome Wagon. All the proceeds from their e.p. Purity Of Heart go to an organization called Freeset, a fair-trade business in India that helps to liberate and empower women escaping the sex trade in the largest red-light district in Kolkata (Calcutta), India.