As we look back through the ages to consider the character of Jesus, one of the most striking aspects of His behavior is the quiet disposition which He maintained. Even though the gospels record for us His words and teachings, it is amazing how much is said about His silence.

     The prophecy of Isaiah which foretold Jesus’ death, said of Him—“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth” (Isaiah 53:7, NKJV). While the gospels record for us the few words Jesus did offer in His own defense Mark tells us—“…the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing” (Mark 15:3). How tempting it must have been in the fact of these rebellious and blasphemous souls to declare to the whole universe the grandeur of His nature and the scope of His incomprehensible power! Yet, it was not yet the time for such a declaration. The Apostle Peter years later would speak of Christ’s character in proclaiming that Jesus—“…when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:23).

     With the master having such a disposition it is little wonder that we who would serve Him are to do the same. James tells us through the Holy Spirit—“…let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19). On three occasions in Paul’s epistles he refers to the Christian disposition as one that is “quiet.” To the church in Thessalonica he urges them to—“…aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business…” (1 Thessalonians 4:11) and to “work in quietness” (II Thessalonians 3:12). He told the young evangelist Timothy that we should pray—“for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:2).

     Certainly there are times when we must speak. As Christians, we (like Jesus) must teach the truth, we must rebuke sin and encourage faithfulness. Even so, when it is not necessary for us to speak, let us strive to imitate the character of our Master in putting on a disposition of quiet submission to Him in our daily life.