When the silence of Jesus speaks volumes

We live in a noisy world.

They say that silence is golden, but it seems people are afraid of it, like those who leave the television on all the time, as though there has to be some sound, any sound.

It is also hard to find a genuine listening ear; people love to talk but struggle to listen. I recently learnt a Nepali idiom: “God gave us two ears, but only one mouth!”

What Jesus’ silence said

We are used to hearing Jesus speak in the Gospels, but I am struck by one instance of His silence. The Pharisees bring before Jesus a woman who has been caught committing adultery, hoping to trap Him (John 8:1-11).

“Should we stone her?” they cry.

Say “No”, and they would charge Him with contradicting the sacred law of Moses. Say “Yes”, and it would go against the remarkable grace He has shown to sinners in His ministry.

We can picture the scene: A hostile mob lining up to pronounce judgement and inflict punishment on this poor sinner.

But Jesus chooses to remain silent. Not a word escapes His lips; He stoops down and doodles in the sand. Undaunted, the Pharisees continue to badger Him.

Finally, He issues one of the most powerful one-liners in history: “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7).

It is deeply ironic that Jesus, the only one in that crowd who was without sin, chose to remain silent. But His silence spoke volumes – it communicated non-judgement, forgiveness, grace.

The accusers had no answer to give Him, and one by one they stalked away. And then Jesus put into words what His silence had already spoken: “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more” (John 8:11).

The compassion of silence

Are we able to be silent with others?

To allow them to bring their pains, hurts, sorrows, regrets, mistakes and sins, and just listen to them without judgement or condemnation?

To refrain from prescribing quick fixes or dispensing easy advice, but open our hearts to others in compassion and solidarity?

To weep with those who weep? And then to gently point them to the One who offers forgiveness and healing, and who calls them to sin no more?

In Reaching Out, Henri Nouwen wrote:

“When we think about the people who have given us hope and have increased the strength of our soul, we might discover that they were not advice-givers, warners, or moralists, but the few who were able to articulate in words and actions the human condition in which we participate, and who encouraged us to face the realities of life … Those who do not run away from our pains but touch them with compassion bring healing and new strength.”

In a world filled with voices of condemnation, can we be that silent and safe space where the broken and hurting can find grace and acceptance?

Can we be that quiet and healing space where sinners can experience the grace and comfort of Christ, just as we ourselves have experienced the forgiveness of Christ for our own sins?

We do not know what happened to that woman, but I do believe that one brief encounter with Jesus transformed her life forever.

May we learn from Jesus, and point others to Him.

Think and Pray:

1. When was the last time you sat silently and listened to someone? Did you feel the constant urge to talk or give advice?
2. Who are the broken and hurting people in your life, to whom you can be a healing space where they can find comfort and acceptance?
3. How can you gently point those around you who are broken and hurting to Jesus Christ?

This devotion was republished with permission from Sojourn: A One-Year Weekly Devotional by Dr Winston Chin.

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