It is often very difficult to walk along the valley of silence. Silence is a defeat; It is an ego-centric matter; a kind of introversion. But the thought behind is that the great milestone of silence maintained by one who spoke most beautifully in the midst of distress and accusations; that leader is none other than Jesus Christ.
Jesus must have been the one who has spoken most beautifully ever in this world. His use of parables and stories, his use of imagery and his simple but powerful words attracted large crowds of people who learned about the kingdom of God as substantiated in the Bible. The contemplative attitude of Jesus, who spoke most simply through parables, and narrated the attributes of his kingdom of God. No one, but only a The Great Guru could explain lofty ideals in such a simple manner.
It is a fact that Jesus did not tell anything beyond the understanding of common people. But his deeds were always beyond human. In Luke’s gospel, chapter 19, we see that the Son of God himself is the Son of man and that the common man is generally simple and gentle, but he raised his voice and spoke harshly where it was necessary. Jesus dared to call the scribes and the Sadducees as hypocrites, for they had made his Father’s house a den of robbers.
Jesus had to go through all the disturbances of an ordinary human being. In John’s gospel we see Jesus shedding tears over death of Lazarus (John 10:35). Jesus gives expression to his genuine feeling of love and sorrow for his good friend despite the fact that for him it was also an occasion ‘to show the works of God’.
We are also to keep in our mind another incident through which Jesus sets before us a very valuable example for keeping silence or being silent. In Mark 14: 32 – 41 we get a picture of the happenings in the Garden of Gethsemane. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus became “greatly distressed and troubled” (Mark 14:33) and said: “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death” (14:34). Mark then showed the depth of Jesus’ anguish by repeating his prayer in this desperate hour: “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you; remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what you will” (14:36). The Son was doing exactly what his Father had asked of him – “to give his life as a ransom for many” (10:45).
Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of Jews?” Though the question was politically charged, Jesus accepted it, “You have said so” (Mark 15:2). And the chief priests accused him of many things. And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further answer so Pilate wondered. (Mark 15: 3-5). A big silence to Pilate. Jesus could have argued and easily convinced Pilate. The authorities lacked the generosity and grace to understand His silence, and no one in the crowd was able to grasp the meaning of the silence of Jesus. Therefore, no one can compare the immeasurable power of that silence. That is why no critic has ever been able to criticize the silence that created history.
Jesus Christ knew what was going to happen, but he didn’t show any human speculation or anxiety. It was purely a divine intervention, at the face of the sufferings of an ordinary man. So far no one was able to send in a perfect solution, which is not strange. That is why in philosophy there has been even a great idea of the Greatest Silence of God. Thinkers are talking about that great silence of heaven over the death of Jesus Christ. Yet we must see the resurrection as the greatest reward for that silence, which is also the greatest manifestation of our love for Him. If we cherish today that truth, the most sublime resurrection of life and hope will be the price of that profound silence of the Son of God.
When we confront crises in life, sometimes silence can be a better way out. Often Silence might be ten times more powerful than a thousand words and justifications. Emptying ourselves through silence could be better than confronting others with too many words.
Sunisha V. F.