Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.”
This is the third time that Matthew records Jesus responding to a question with the words, “you have said so.”* The first time was Judas’s question at the Passover table, “Surely, not me?” (Matthew 26:25). The second time was when Caiaphas (the Jewish high priest at the time) asked whether Jesus was the Christ (Matthew 26:64).* Jesus’s response reveals to them that He knows that they already know the answer to their question, or should know it in the very least.*
Meaning, Judas knew it was he himself who would betray Jesus, for he had already begun preparations for it. The high priest already knew that Jesus was the Messiah, but he was unwilling to admit it due to envy. Pilate already knew that he was the king of the Jews or should have from his wife’s dream or some other way.
How often do we question who God is or what He would have us do and get frustrated when we don’t hear a yes or no? How often are we waiting for the yes or no, but God is saying you have said it? We ask, “God, are you good?! God will you come through for me?! Am I supposed to just wait here for you?!” Sometimes we miss God’s response of, “you have said it.”
In the case of the high priest, Jesus could not give an answer of yes or no. Had Jesus said yes, He would have been confirming Himself as Messiah to the high priest based upon the high priests’ understanding of what and who the Messiah would be and His purposes. Jesus was more than that. Jesus could not say no because He clearly was the Messiah sent for the saving of the world.
Sometimes we ask God questions that a yes would affirm a misunderstanding of expectations that we have on Him, while a no would misrepresent Him as well. Sometimes we miss the you have said it that provides opportunity to allow God to say more. Sometimes we miss the you have said it that invites us to trust.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to ask Him that question you have asked many, many times once more. Perhaps He wants you to be open to hearing His answer with new ears. Maybe God wants you accept the answer that you know that He has already given.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a water break… we all get thirsty.
Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!
*Leon, Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew. Pillar New Testament Commentary (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1992), 698–709, and Keener, C. S., Matthew (Vol. 1, Mt Mt 27:11–26).) (InterVarsity Press, 1997).