See it: Read Isaiah 53:7-9
7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was punished.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
What do you see in these three verses that you can easily match up with what you know about the crucifixion accounts in the Gospels?
Chew it: For some reason, Isaiah speaks twice in verse 7 about the fact that the Suffering Servant was silent before his executioners. Of course, the parallel here in the Gospel accounts takes place when Jesus stands before Pilot and refuses to answer Pilot’s questions, even given the fact that Pilot was inclined to release Him. What importance do you attribute to Jesus being silent before His executioners?
Do it: Personally, I do not fully understand this silent treatment. Jesus certainly spoke out boldly to those who arrested Him. He also spoke out boldly to the high priest in the Sanhedrin who questioned Him. We do not find many times throughout His ministry when Jesus was silent. In addition to His regular teaching, He spoke out with great confidence to those who opposed Him. He was not afraid to enter into arguments and prove that His opponents had a wrong understanding of who God is. I am convinced that this silence has something to do with our Lord’s unwillingness to defend Himself, particularly at this, His last hour. How we as His followers apply this to our lives I am not certain.
I have attempted to not defend myself against criticism leveled against me. I cannot say, however, with any certainty that my “non-defense approach” has ever been the best. What do you think about it?
Washington Church Men's Bible Study 
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