Are You The Messiah?

OPENING PRAYER:

Everlasting Father, you love me beyond my comprehending, and care for me beyond my understanding. Grant me now insight and direction as I read your Word.

READ: Matthew 26:57-68

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin

57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

Finally two came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent.

The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”[a]

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?”

“He is worthy of death,” they answered.

67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”

Footnotes

[a] Matthew 26:64 See Psalm 110:1; Daniel 7:13.

Matthew 26:57-68

REFLECT:

‘But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength’ (2 Timothy 4:17). Remember this to be true in any trial you are facing.

It was not easy for Caiaphas, the high priest, to manipulate things to get Jesus killed. The top Jewish Council, the Sanhedrin, of which he was president, could not itself exact the death penalty. Caiaphas had to find compelling charges against Jesus that would carry the death penalty both from the Roman governor under Roman law (e.g., sedition), and also from the Sanhedrin under Jewish law (e.g., blasphemy). But the testimony from witnesses was unconvincing, and the accused was exercising his right to silence. The only hope for Caiaphas was to get Jesus to incriminate himself.

Jesus obliged (vs 63b,64). He declared under oath to the leaders of God’s people that he was far more exalted than their ideas of ‘Messiah’ and ‘Son of God’. He was (and is) the divine ‘Son of Man’ of Daniel 7:9-14, coming on the clouds of heaven to the throne of God to be served by all the world and to reign with glory, authority, and an everlasting dominion that will not pass away.

This was a far better ‘confession’ than Caiaphas could have imagined! He got his ‘blasphemy’ verdict (vs 65,66). Jesus then suffered further indignities (vs 67,68). The one we worship is no stranger to humiliation, injustice, and brutality.

APPLY:

In what ways can you praise Jesus for being the faithful witness who stood in our world enduring trumped-up charges, lies of witnesses, and bias from the establishment? Are there situations where you are being called to imitate him?

CLOSING PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, I see your wisdom and bravery in this mock trial. I pray I may have your focus and devotion as I face life’s challenges.

WORSHIP:

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