When to Speak: Courage and Grace in Everyday Moments

Weekend Word with Keith Garner

“But He (Jesus) remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?’ And Jesus said, ‘I am.’” (Mark 14:61–62 ESV)

During His trial before the religious leaders, Jesus found Himself in a hostile conversation. Their motive was not truth or justice. False witnesses even spoke against Him, yet Jesus remained silent. He did not argue, defend Himself, or engage in a debate. But when the high priest asked Him directly, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus immediately answered, “I am.”

There is something more to learn from Jesus in this situation other than His identity. Jesus showed us that we don’t have to respond to every opinion, argument, or accusation. Throughout His ministry, Jesus often refused to answer questions when He discerned the motives were not sincere but were only seeking arguments. Like Jesus, we need to use discernment about which questions, conversations, and debates we should engage in. But when the moment comes to clearly stand for truth, we must be ready to speak.

At the same time Jesus was on trial, Peter was also in a difficult conversation. Just hours earlier he had promised to die for Jesus, but when a servant girl asked if he knew Him, Peter denied it. When others pressed him, he denied Jesus again and again. Then the rooster crowed, and Luke tells us that Jesus looked directly at Peter. How do you imagine the expression on the face of Jesus? Peter immediately remembered Jesus’ words and broke down weeping.

All of us have probably found ourselves in uncomfortable conversations where we stayed silent when we should have spoken. Maybe we didn’t deny Him with our words, but we denied Him with our silence. Peter failed, but Jesus did not abandon him—and He does not abandon us either.

As we serve this week, we will face moments where it is uncomfortable to stand for Christ. Let’s pray that we will have the wisdom to know when to be silent, but also that we will have the courage to speak when the moment comes, whether it is online or in person. If we fail, remember that His grace is greater than our failures.

— Keith Garner