Mark 15. And the chief priests accused him of many things. And Pilate again asked him, “are you not going to answer? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus said nothing more, so that Pilate was amazed (15:3-5).

Perhaps the crucifixion narrative is familiar to you. Let us consider what Jesus endures, and the fact that he makes no effort to speak and defend himself in the face of many false accusations.

How do you typically respond when someone says something that is not true? And especially if the falsehood is about you, your character, your work, or your family?

As for me, I don’t know what personality trait it is exactly, but I usually feel morally obligated to correct people when they are wrong. They rise up from deep within me, these urges to set the record straight. I cannot just let falsehood and wild, unfounded statements go. The truth must be told!

However, I have learned something along the way. People do not always want to be corrected. Many people do not like it when you point out how their thinking is flawed, their sources possibly biased, and how they are missing the other half of the story. The larger the group of people who hold to a falsehood, the more likely they are to be aggressive in its defense and not open to the possibility there are flaws in their understanding. If you have ever tried to point out something incorrect on a social media post, only to experience vigorous backlash – then you know what I mean!

As I have aged, I have also discovered that there may be flaws in my thinking too – and I certainly do not know everything. I too only see a part of the whole picture. So, who am I to go about correcting falsehoods and setting the story straight? Yet still, there are some things that just really should be corrected… Ah, I am like Don Quixote off tilting at windmills with my sword.

A tremendous number of false accusations were made against Jesus. Jesus said nothing more. The accusations were not trivial, they would result in his death. Jesus said nothing more. Why?

Jesus knew that he would die, and in so doing he would open the way of salvation for all people to come into relationship with God. Sins would be forgiven, the kingdom of God would be established, he would triumph over evil. Jesus knew already he would die; he chose that path. He fulfilled the picture of the Suffering Servant from Isaiah 52. Things were unfolding as he intended, so there was no need for him to defend himself. In Matthew 27:53 Jesus says at his moment of betrayal, “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than 12 legions of angels? But how then should the scriptures be fulfilled?” Jesus had the power to change events, but he entrusted himself to the Father and Jesus said nothing more.

The crowd at Jesus’ trial was unruly and would not have been open to any teaching or correction from Jesus anyway. Jesus knew when to speak and teach, and when to be quiet and trust that God the Father would defend him and intervene if necessary. Jesus said nothing more.

I am challenged by this idea – the possibility of having no further comments on something because I trust that God will set the record straight, if it suits his kingdom business. Maybe I should opt to stay out of the fray more often. What about you?