The Silence of Jesus

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.
--Isaiah 53:7

There is an account of Jesus' examination by Pontius Pilate in all four gospels, but only two of them, Matthew and Mark, make mention of the fact that Jesus stands silent before His accusers. He speaks with Pilate, and confirms that He is the King of the Jews, but "He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed" (Mt 27:14). Why is this? Partially, I think, it is an identification with the oppressed and the voiceless. Jesus, our great High Priest, knows our sorrows. So He stands, just like some of us, without a voice to demand justice. The politically, racially, culturally, and ideologically downtrodden have in Jesus a Savior who can truly say, "I know what it is like to be you, and to have to bear the insults and false labels thrown onto you by those in power. And I have been righteous when you have not. Trust in Me." Jesus' silence is a silence of solidarity, a silence which bears the suffering of His sheep.