“There
is a time for silence and a time for talk." Ecclesiastes 3:7
There are times when saying nothing can communicate
a lot more than using words. Words are not always the best vehicle to express things. As part of our communion service we
have time for silence and reflection. We should make the most of such times,
as sadly, with the pace of modern life, such moments are all to few.
As we come to the table I would like to reflect
on some times, recorded in Scripture, when words were inappropriate.
John
8:2-11 – Casting the first stone...
…the account of the woman caught in adultery.
The teachers of the law and Pharisees bring a woman to Jesus saying that because of her behavior the law demanded she should
be stoned to death. They are talking at
Him, rather than to Him. He bends over and starts writing something in the sand.
Then He straightens up and challenges them, "O.K. Which ever one of you has committed no sin may throw the first stone at
her." He bends down and starts writing in the sand again.
Slowly people put down their stones and quietly
walk away. Jesus looks around. Everybody's
gone. He asks the woman, "Is there no one left to condemn you?"
"No," she replies.
"Well, then, I don't condemn you either. Go on
your way and sin no more!"
If we were in the crowd, clamoring for justice,
would we have qualified to throw the first stone? Who amongst us could say they have committed no sin?
The silence was a telling moment. It reminds us that not one of us is good enough to come into God's presence. It reminds us that we are all sinners in need of the grace and mercy of God. The passage also talks of the forgiveness of Jesus towards unworthy people. "I do not condemn you, now
go, but sin no more."
In the silent moments around our communion celebration
there is time to think about the sort of people we have become, to examine ourselves, put ourselves to the test, and realize
we are not all we could or all we should be.
As we reflect on the symbols, they speak of the
forgiveness of Jesus who was crucified for our sakes, the bread… His broken body, the wine… His poured out life.
We come to the table not professing our innocence, but because we need the renewing touch of God upon our lives.
Mark
14 & 15 – On Trial
My second passages are found in Mark’s
gospel where Jesus is put on trial, firstly in Mark 14 before the Council, and secondly in Mark 15 before Pilate. During these
trials Jesus is being lied against and accused of all manner of conflicting things.
Jesus’ enemies are desperately trying to cook up evidence to have Him condemned.
But every single accusation they throw at Him is met with a response of silence.
Before the council we read, "Jesus kept quiet and would not say a word." (Mark 14:61)
Before Pilate, "Pilate questioned Him again, "Aren't you going to answer. Listen to all their accusations." Again Jesus refused to
say a word and Pilate was amazed." (Mark 15:14-15)
For Jesus to have protested His innocence would
have been a waste of breath. That's how much hatred and animosity there was towards Him at that point in time. Whatever He said would be twisted and used against Him. Yet even to Pilate, His innocence was crystal clear!
Pilate, according to Mark 15:10, "Knew very well that the chief priests had handed
Jesus over to him because of their jealousy." By not speaking, Jesus said more than words could ever express.
The love of God is put on trial by every generation. People dismiss Jesus as irrelevant, the gospel as out dated, and the church as a lost
cause. We can shout out against God. We can rebel against God’s will if
we so desire. But through the silence our empty words will echo unceasingly and rebound upon us.
In the simple act of breaking bread and sharing
wine, though nothing is spoken, a great deal is said about Jesus Christ. We share
communion in the setting of a world which still has little room for the Son of God.
We need not offer words in His defense. By celebrating His life around
a communion table we say a lot more than words could ever express. For as often you eat this bread and drink this cup you
proclaim His death until He comes.
Mark
9:2-8 – Peter…Be quiet!
Our third passage concerns the Mount of Transfiguration,
that time when Jesus went up into a mountain with Peter, James and John. On the mountain top Jesus is transfigured before
their eyes, and they witness Him talking with Elijah and Moses in the midst of a cloud.
That was some scary stuff! Makes Halloween look kind of tame. The disciples were totally
awed by what they saw happening before them. They should have kept their mouths
shut. But Peter started to ramble.
"Wow, Lord, this is gggrreatt! Is it good to
be here or what? I've got it…I've got it…Let's put up three big tents, one for
Moses, one for Elijah, and one for Jesus. People can come up here and …and..."
"Peter, be quiet." He was scared. He wanted to capture the moment for all time for everyone. He didn't really understand the
significance of the event before their eyes, that it was something to prepare them for the days that lay ahead when Jesus
would be crucified and rise again. Words weren't called for. It was a time for silence, not for talk. Talk was simply inappropriate.
I often think of communion in the same way. It doesn't matter how carefully you explain it, how you describe it, what you make
of it. It is something that can't be framed by words. It is not something we can capture or crystallize. It's an
ongoing holy mystery.
It's a place over the years where people’s
hearts have been melted like wax before a flame, sin confronted, lives renewed and changed as they have taken bread and wine
in the faith that here was a meeting place with God. Words may speak to the mind
but communion speaks to the heart.
Silence can be a noisy thing. Ever heard the expressions "a deafening silence" or a "roaring silence?" Silence
can make us aware of conflicts within ourselves and bring to mind thoughts that trouble rather than comfort.
“Be still and know that I am God”
is translated
in some bibles as
“Stop fighting and know that I am God.”
When we have fightings within, we need the touch of God's Holy Spirit to sort us out.
As we be still before God, may we know God is God, our Father, Our Creator. As
we take the elements of bread and wine, may we know the assurance that Jesus is our Savior and know His love as a present
reality able to touch the depths of our lives.
We sit today surrounded by banners that proclaim we are in the company of angels and saints around this table. Friends… Be still. Be still. Be still.
The wisdom of Ecclesiastes is right on target:
“There is a time for silence , a time for talk.”
As we come to the Lord's table it is time to
“Be still and know that God is God.”
Rev. Adrian J. Pratt
