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What would you say?

I can be a very quiet person in a crowd.
When listeners are in short supply, my introverted side kicks in.
I slip into the silent gap with ease.

But sometimes being quiet makes me feel like I’m boring company.

And then when I do think of something to say, I wonder:
would it bring any additional value to what’s already being said?voices of the crucifixion

Voices
If I had been in Jesus’ company in his final hours, what would I have brought to the conversation? What would I have said?

  • Judas kissed him and said, “Rabbi!
  • Annas the high priest drilled him with questions.
  • The assembly of the elders said, “If you are the Christ, tell us.”
  • An officer accused him, “Is that how you answer the high priest?
  • Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews? What have you done?
  • Herod provoked him, hoping to see a sign.
  • The soldiers taunted him, “Hail, King of the Jews!
  • The Jews blasted him, “Crucify, crucify him!
  • The rulers scoffed at him, “He saved others; let him save himself!
  • Bystanders derided him, “Let us see whether Elijah will save him.
  • A neighboring hanging criminal railed at him, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!
  • The other neighbor said, “Jesus, remember me in your kingdom.”
  • And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, yielding up his spirit.
  • The centurion confessed, “Truly this was the Son of God!
  • God said...nothing.

Our words?
What would I have said? What would you have said?
What kind of company would we have been on that day?

I’m guessing no words would have come.
My lips would have been sealed in fear, in helplessness, in confusion.
I would have added no value in conversation.

But...
Easter is upon us again.
What will I say now?
What will you say?

* * *

What would you have said to Jesus back then?

Now is your opportunity. What are you saying to him today?

15 comments:

Joy said...

I think I would have cried tears of confusion and grief. I'm not sure I would have had any words either.

Melissa said...

I'm quiet in crowds, too. And like Joy, I think I would have cried in confusion and grief, but not spoken any words.

Lisa notes... said...

I think about how I am even watching movies about the Passion; I'm always left wordless, and I know the ending... What words are adequate when you're watching raw love in motion?

Renee said...

Had I been there, I don't think I'd have been able to put my feelings into words . . . and maybe not for a long time after. Great post, Lisa! Blessings!

HisFireFly said...

I know not how to answer, or what words would come, if any.

In the presence of such sacrifice...

Merissa said...

I think I would have just been in despair, feeling helpless and not being able to change anything. Maybe anger (as I wouldn't have understood why Jesus was being crucified). I might have been arrested for trying to stop them.
or... like Peter, i might have denied him too. I am not sure.
This is a very thought-provoking post, thanks!

Monica Sharman said...

What you have done with that list! It does stir up the mind. And heart. You always do, Lisa.

And I'm asking myself not only what I would have said then, but what am I saying now?

Anna said...

I don't think I would have had the courage to even say anything, had I even known what to say.

Kris said...

I am so much like Peter, that I fear I would have reacted as he did.I like to think I wouldn't have, but I have wondered this myself...
Thank you for challenging me to think.. Blessings...

Katie said...

I think I would have been crying in grief, I don't know that I would have had words. And that crying would have been enough.

I am amazed that on the cross Jesus was able to also say "Forgive them." I am constantly amazed by his grace and love.

Nikole Hahn said...

Probably wrapped up in my own world, enjoying His presence, but still searching to understand Him from the perspective of a human. Sadly, not the Sunday School answer, but more realistic because there was alot we didn't know about Him back then and He was teaching us.

Bonnie Gray said...

I think I will just be crying. "This is terrible. I can't take this!"

Thank you for reflecting Jesus always through your words, while still keeping it Lisa. ;) Happy Easter, friend!

tinuviel said...

Your response in a crowd of talkers is the same as mine, even to the questioning whether my comments add value (yet here I am. . . written words are different).

If I had been there, I doubt I would have had words. It takes me time to process before I have anything to say. Now, though, I am saying yes and praying to mean it more and more. Blessed Easter to you and yours!

Donna said...

Not sure what I would have said...silent tears may have coursed down my face.

Thoughtful post, Lisa.

Happy Easter!

Melissa, Multi-Tasking Mama said...

I tend to speak up when there is an injustice occurring but who knows on that day, in that situation? I know that my prayer is that everyday my life speaks up for Jesus...love this post! Have a great Easter!

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