"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live..." (Gal 2:20). It's amazing, isn't it? We read the Scriptures, yet we often miss the obvious. According to Gal 2:20, "I" has been crucified.
I've reflected on this text a time or two and I have come to this realization. Dead people have no rights. To be sure, the realization is awkward at first. But at the same time, it's quite freeing. If the "I" no longer lives, "I" no longer needs to justify oneself. As one who has no rights, why not be wronged? Why not be misunderstood?
Imagine Jesus before Pilate. Would he have done anything wrong if he said it like it was? Would anyone have blamed him? Probably not. After all, he was an innocent man.
Yet, had he said something, all wouldn't have been right in the universe. Although I can only speculate what may have happened if Jesus stood up for himself, I am relatively certain things wouldn't have turned out as they did. And that could have proved disastrous.
Within the context of your house church, you will occasionally find yourself in the precarious spot of being wronged or misunderstood. Before saying anything, let me ask you, do you want to be like Yeshua?
I once heard a quotable quote that's as true as true can be. Time and truth walk hand in hand. Yeshua stayed silent. Has he not been justified? I'd say he has! The same goes for us. Although the reality of crucifixion is disconcerting, the prospect of not walking in the footsteps of our Lord is even more so.
Do you ever feel wronged or misunderstood? I have. Perhaps thousands of times. In fact, now that I'm getting older, when it happens I just stop and tell myself, "That pit in your stomach will go away. Just give it some time."
One reason we can hardly bear to remain silent is that it makes us feel so helpless. We are so accustomed to relying upon words to manage and control others. If we are silent, who will take control? God will take control, but we will never let him take control until we trust him. Silence is intimately related to trust.