15 Jesus knew what they intended to do, so he went away from there. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them all. 16 But he ordered them not to spread the word about him, 17 so that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled:
18 Look, my Servant whom I chose,
the one I love, in whom I find great pleasure.
I’ll put my Spirit upon him,
and he’ll announce judgment to the Gentiles.
19 He won’t argue or shout,
and nobody will hear his voice in the streets.
20 He won’t break a bent stalk,
and he won’t snuff out a smoldering wick,
until he makes justice win.
21 And the Gentiles will put their hope in his name.
Reflection
The person who has the most important thing to say doesn’t always speak the loudest.
I have been in many meetings where a single comment coming from a respected senior leader – the person who seldom speaks – ends up shifting the thinking of every person in the room.
For those who possess genuine wisdom, there’s no need to shout. It’s not the volume of your voice or the sheer number of words that will get you heard. It’s something else.
Jesus knew this.
I think that’s why Matthew quotes Isaiah, describing Jesus as as one who “won’t argue or shout.” Jesus didn’t show up yelling at people. He didn’t provoke arguments to prove a point. He didn’t appear with great flash or spectacle. Most of the time, even when he performed a miracle, he told the person to keep it to themselves.
And yet, wherever Jesus went, thousands of people showed up to hear him talk about what it means to live in God’s presence.
It’s easy for us to argue our point too hard. Sometimes we do it in ways that make the Church – and sometimes even the gospel – look bad. You don’t communicate spiritual things more clearly by continually turning up the volume. People will just tune you out. Instead, you communicate spiritual things more clearly by making sure that your words and actions are aligned. That’s what gave Jesus his authority and his power – not volume, but integrity.
by Joe Monahan
For Pondering and Prayer
If you are tempted today to get louder in order to win an argument – remember, you’ve probably already lost!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, bless me with your Spirit of wisdom so that I might know when to speak and when to keep quiet. Help me to become one who talks less and listens more. Enable me to live with integrity so that everything I do becomes a witness to you and to your goodness. Amen.
