The Jews were afforded many freedoms by Roman law, including the right to their own court system, the council of the Sanhedrin. But to their aggravation, though they had condemned Jesus to death for blasphemy, they lacked the authority to carry out the sentence. So they turned to Pilate, the Roman governor of the region, and “accused Jesus of many things,” probably submitting false or embellished charges in an attempt to sway Pilate.


In Isaiah 53:7b we read the words of a prophet eight centuries earlier now coming to fulfillment: “he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” That day before Pilate, the Word who spoke the universe into existence offered not one syllable in His own defense.


In His restraint, Jesus actually shows His love for us. He refuses to impede the Father’s will. He knows that setting the record straight or exercising His power would disrupt the accomplishment of His mission: to give His life as a ransom for many.