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Themes: "Christ the Saviour, Sacrifice On August 3, 1923 Calvin Coolidge, the Vice President of the USA became the President of the country, upon the death of President Harding. Calvin Coolidge became known as "Silent Ca;" for very good reasons. He did less and said less than any other president in history.
Someone wrote that he was a remarkable man. "Nero fiddled while Rome burned, but Coolidge only snores!" Comedians and commentators all made fun of his silence. News paper men and other politicians all joked about Silent Cal.
But "Silent Cal" used his silence for his own purposes. He could embarrass people and get rid of them by just being silent and looking at them . He never answered questions or expressed opinions. It was not because he didn't want to offend anyone. It was because he didn't want to say anything.
Once the wife of an Illinois Senator was anxious to get a job as Judge for a friend of hers. She decided that she would have a group of important people from Chicago call on the President and encourage him to appoint the friend.
The delegation of important men was brought in to see the President. The walked in only to find the President staring in silence at the floor. No one said a word. Everyone was staring sown at the carpet. Everyone was silent. Then Silent Cal said, "Mighty fine carpet there." His visitors all smiled as they were supposed to do to the President. They were hoping that it would start a conversation.
"New one - cost a lot of money" he added. His visitors smiled even more. "Silent Cal" was really warming to their visit. "She wore out the old carpet trying to get the job for her friend". That ended the visit. They all walked out silently, and embarrassed.
"SIlent Cal" used his silence to protect himself and to get rid of people. It was a weapon for his own defence.
The Lord Jesus was silent to Herod, Pilate, the soldiers and the leaders because He was willing to die and suffer for us. He wasn't using silence as a weapon, but as a way to die. He offered no defense. He made no excuses. He did not retaliate with anger. He willingly went to the Cross to die as the sin bearer for the world.
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Peter Orasuk
