Daily Devotions

Mark

Mark 
Day 
Day 316

Acts 3:26 "To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities." Acts 3:26"

Day 316 – Mark 15

“To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.” Acts 3:26

A FLOOD OF ACCUSATIONS

Roman law allowed the accused to hear the allegations of accusers. In this case, the Sanhedrin Council, consisting of 70 people, began to hurl accusations against Jesus.


“And the chief priests accused Him of many things,
but He answered nothing.”
MARK 15:3

1. The right to answer all allegations

Roman law gave every defendant the right to see his accusers face to face. He also had the right to refute the allegations!

2. Choosing a totally different prerogative

What did Jesus choose? Just as Jesus refused to answer all the spurious accusations hurled against Him by the false witnesses at the house of the high priest, so once again He chose to remain absolutely silent!

DID JESUS KNOW HIS RIGHTS?

Pilate wasn’t sure if Jesus knew His rights. He thus sought to apprise Jesus of His right to answer His accusers.

“Then Pilate asked Him again, saying,
‘Do You answer nothing? See how many things
They testify against You!’
But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.”
MARK 15:4-5

1. Silence was no defence in Roman law

Did Jesus know what He was doing when He chose silence? Pilate had never come across anyone who remained silent before his accusers!

2. Allegations that were unanswered

Did Jesus know that if He did not answer His accusers, it could lead Him into serious trouble? He could be found guilty if He did not attempt to answer the allegations made against Him. Some of the accusations could cost Jesus His life!

3. Choosing silence

Pilate studied Jesus as he awaited a response. He could see that Jesus had been roughed up! Did the Council intimidate Him so that He did not dare to give a reply? As Pilate observed Jesus more carefully, He marveled!

The silence of Jesus was no admission of guilt. He was supremely calm! He was above all the din and clamor of the occasion! Who was this Man that He could remain so serene despite the fact that His life was in grave danger? Pilate, impressed by Jesus, sought to find a way to help Jesus get out of this predicament.