MARK 15:1-5 – And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 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 that Pilate was amazed.
THEME OF THE DAY. THE POWER OF A RESTRAINED TONGUE. Today’s account offers a powerful lesson modeled by the Lord Jesus. It will apply to us in every interaction we have with people. Whether it be those times of tense conversations in our homes, on the job, among our extended family members, and even with other brothers and sisters in the Lord. The reason why this lesson is so powerful is because it is so necessary. We read from James this description of the tongue, of human speech – So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison (James 3:5-8). James gives us two warnings about our tongue or speech.
First, it contains great power of destruction – like a raging forest fire. It devours everything within its path. Scorched earth lies in the wake of a forest fire. And a tongue that is full of evil, uncontrolled, worldly, and selfish will leave the “scorched earth” of damaged relationships. And sometimes, the damage is irreparable. Be on guard. Be slow to speak Be controlled. Words spoken become words irretrievable.
Another truth from James is that the control of the tongue is beyond our control. Due to the remaining sin in our hearts, and tongue control is a spiritual issue, we cannot put restraint upon our tongues. Oh, we may “bite our tongue” for a season, but eventually the dam will break and some words spoken will be words regretted. No human being has the power in themselves to be “tongue-tied.” And now the lesson from Jesus – the power of a restrained tongue. But remember, it is Christ’s example we follow in Christ’s power experienced.
Picture the scene. Loud accusations flying. Lies yelled about the Lord. False witnesses lining up to condemn Him. And what does the Lord do? Nothing. The scripture reads, “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 that Pilate was amazed.” Jesus would not defend Himself. He offered no long responses. He said so much without saying a word that even Pilate was amazed.
Friends, we don’t have to always have the last word in a heated conversation. We don’t have to always attempt to triumph in a dialogue. We don’t always have to voice an opinion. And what is worst of all, we don’t have to dominate conversations. Sometimes the best testimony for Christ is a controlled and constrained tongue. It certainly impacted Pontius Pilate. It will also impact those “hearing” our restrained tongue.
PRAYER: “Father, enable me to control my tongue that I won’t do great damage to my testimony for You and Your Gospel.”
QUOTE: “Your speech immediately reveals how close you are to Christ and how much you are under the control of His Spirit.”