“Jesus was placed before the governor, who questioned him: “Are you the ‘King of the Jews’?” Jesus said, “If you say so.” ^12-14 But when the accusations rained down hot and heavy from the high priests and religious leaders, he said nothing. Pilate asked him, “Do you hear that long list of accusations? Aren’t you going to say something?” Jesus kept silence—not a word from his mouth. The governor was impressed, really impressed. ^15-18 It was an old custom during the Feast for the governor to pardon a single prisoner named by the crowd. At the time, they had the infamous Jesus Barabbas in prison. With the crowd before him, Pilate said, “Which prisoner do you want me to pardon: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus the so-called Christ?” He knew it was through sheer spite that they had turned Jesus over to him.”  Matthew 27:11-18

I never went to see “The Passion of the Christ”, the Mel Gibson movie.  I have many reasons why I did not see it, but there is one nagging reason why I should see it, and it has to do with this text from Matthew.  For too many years, I have attended churches who read the Passion narratives on Passion/Palm Sunday.   When I read this particular passion narrative, Matthew 27:1 – 26, all I can hear in my head is the uninspired members of my former congregation reading this text without passion or meaning.   The movie probably brings to life these particular verses and gives them so much more meaning than any half-asleep congregation could do in a month of Sundays.  And this is the challenge for all of us – bringing to life the texts so that they make us think, make us nervous, make us uncomfortable, challenge our faith.

I preached a sermon on January 27 stating that there is power in silence. And it is in this particular Gospel that we see Jesus remaining silent in the face of this religious enemies. And his silence impressed Pilate, the Roman Governor. As always, there is a time to be silent, and a time to speak. But when we do speak for Christ, we need to do it with passion, and faith.

Pastor Dave