The Theology of Quietness

This summary provides an expert analysis of the message “The Theology of Quietness,” derived from Matthew 27:11–14, focusing on Jesus’ strategic silence before Pontius Pilate. It explores the conflict between earthly and divine authority, revealing that true strength is often found in quiet confidence and the refusal to be distracted from one’s ultimate purpose.

I. The Context: Kingdoms in Conflict

The biblical scene presented is not a superficial argument between two men, but a collision between two kingdoms: the Kingdom of Darkness and the Kingdom of Light, set against the backdrop of Roman colonial authority. Jesus, the Creator and King of Kings, stands trial before Pontius Pilate, a Roman governor who represents Rome’s effort to spread control and authority over Jerusalem.

The Cost of Notoriety

Jesus had worked His way from obscurity to notoriety, and notoriety always comes at a cost. As Jesus became controversial and headed for the cross, the 5,000 followers, the woman healed of the issue of blood, and the 10 lepers all scattered, leaving Him alone.

The Governor’s Arrogance

Pilate, representing a less respected detail in Rome, acted like a “little person always try[ing] to be big,” questioning the King of Kings as if Jesus were subservient and Pilate had power over His future. The absurdity lies in the creation testing the Creator.

The Undercurrent of Warfare

This conflict involves a deeper spiritual warfare where the enemy has a plot against the believer’s story. Satan seeks to control the believer’s peace and reactions, often through oppression. The devil is not necessarily possessing the believer but is actively trying to control them.

II. The Strategic Silence: Jesus’ Choice of Quietness

When accused by the chief priests and elders, Jesus answered nothing. The governor “marveled greatly” not at Jesus’ wisdom, but at His silence. This moment defines the Theology of Quietness.

Power of the Unspoken Word

Jesus had immense power in His mouth; if He had chosen to speak, the court would have closed, cancer would disappear, and the gun would not go off. His silence was a deliberate choice. He recognized that Pilate had no real power to change His circumstances.

• Lion vs. Lamb: Jesus embodies a duality: the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and the Lamb of God. The challenge is knowing which side to deploy. Jesus determined that to accomplish His purpose, He couldn’t Roar through this; He needed to come as a lamb.
• Quietness as Strength: Scripture teaches that in “returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength”. Strength is demonstrated by being quiet and holding one’s peace.
• Endurance Without Murmuring: Jesus endured the shame of the cross for the joy set before Him. This is an example of enduring things without murmuring, complaining, or disrupting your attitude.

Knowing When to Lose

Sometimes, the strongest action is to let the opposition win the immediate battle. Jesus could have stopped everything, but He held His peace, recognizing that what good is winning the game if you lose the deal. Jesus’ silence proved His submission to the purpose.

III. The Enemy’s Target: Power, Purpose, and Prowess

Satan’s actions are always aimed at destroying the believer’s core attributes.

1. Power

The enemy is after the believer’s power—their decision-making ability and their capacity to act on those decisions. If a person did not have power, the enemy would not be fighting them.

2. Purpose (Destination)

The enemy attacks the believer’s purpose, aiming to stop them from reaching their destination. Purpose speaks to destiny and how things end up. The fight is not about “now,” but about tomorrow and the ultimate destination.

3. Prowess (Unique Identity)

The enemy is after the believer’s prowess, which is the unique way they execute their purpose—their talents, skills, and function. Prowess is what sets a person apart and cannot be duplicated; it is as unique as DNA. The devil wants to beat the believer down into a shadow of what they could be.

Defending Your Prowess

The struggles believers face—molestation, rejection, or ostracization—are viewed as attempts by the enemy to cripple them and destroy their prowess. Believers are commanded to keep their prowess even if they lose their job or have to move. They should not respond to negative accusations or things that do not define them.

IV. The Authority of the Word: Beyond the Written Text

The sources make a crucial distinction between the Word of God (Logos/Rhema) and the Scriptures (Bible).

• The Word Pre-Exists Scripture: The Word of God is not limited to the written Bible. “In the beginning was the word,” before pens, typewriters, or the Bible itself. The Word transcends the scriptures.
• The Word as Thought Principle: The Greek Logos means not just word, but thought principle or speech. God is not subject to penmanship.
• Scripture is a Syllabus: The Bible is the written word of God, but it is described as a “syllabus”—a compacted, concentrated representation of the wholeness of what God has to say. Many other things Jesus did, if written, “the world itself could not contain the books”.
• Prophetic Direction: God speaks things that may not have an accompanying scripture (“don’t go tonight,” “don’t get married”), but the word is still valid, acting as a guide. The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God, and Jesus would have “stabbed Herod with a word” if he had spoken.