Scripture
Our verse for today comes from John 19:9, “[Pilate] went again into the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, ‘Where are You from?’ But Jesus gave him no answer.”
Background
Our family is about to leave town for several days to go to a national competition for my daughter. Teams from all across the country will be there, vying for the trophy and the right to be crowned national champion. So it will be very natural to hear over and over again all weekend, “Where are you from?” When someone asks my daughter, she’ll probably say Knightdale, for that’s where her team is based. But that’s not where she lives. In fact, where she was born, as well as all of her siblings, is another completely different city. So where is she from? When Pilate asked Jesus where He was from, as if any particular answer was going to make any difference at all, Jesus did not respond. But what could He have said? Well, He might have said He was from Bethlehem, thanks to the decree of Caesar that sent his parents on the arduous journey that brought Him forth in a stable. He also could have said He was from Egypt. After the wise men headed back home from following the star from the east, God warned Joseph to take his family to hide in Egypt until Herod had died. Or He could have said He was from Nazareth, since that is where He grew up learning the trade of a carpenter by watching Joseph work. And of course He could have told Pilate He came from heaven. As the Son of God, His eternal home was at the right hand of His heavenly Father, from where He upheld and sustained the very earth He now walked on.
Application
But which answer would have been the right one, the best one, or the one Pilate wanted or needed to hear? So, Jesus said nothing at all. There is a time for you to say nothing as well. Often it’s when you’re tempted to defend or explain yourself. Most certainly it’s when your words will damage and harm. It could even be when you have the right answer that will appease and impress. Sometimes your best response is no response. So try that today, and see how it sounds.
Charge
As we seek Him today, let your words, or the lack of them, bring the most glory and honor to Him who lives where you ultimately belong.
Rich Holt / Originally Published on : BCWorldview.org
Also published on : Medium.com.
