Jesus Before the Sanhedrin
53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. 55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. 57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.
Reflection:
There are three things to note in this passage as Jesus takes a step closer to the cross.
1. We see the words "Peter followed at a distance." Remember yesterday everyone had fled leaving Jesus all alone. At least one disciple followed Jesus, even if it was at a distance. Perhaps Peter was curious about His Lord and what would happen to him. Or, maybe he thought he could intervene at some point. But it says he sat with the guards and warmed himself with the guards! Perhaps in fear that he would be noticed as one of Jesus' followers. We will hear more about that tomorrow.
2. Though they tried to bear false witness against him with trumped up charges, it says their testimonies did not agree. God confused their plan, so that Jesus would not be declared guilty for anything less than being the Messiah. As we know with lies, they eventually don't add up, and one needs to tell more lies to cover up the previous ones. Part of this was taking what Jesus said and distorting it to fit their preconceived notions. Can you see how this could happen today in a different context?
3. Finally, when they ask for Jesus to respond He is silent. He does not feel compelled to answer. He is the one really in control of the proceedings, he knows exactly what is going to transpire. In the end the high priest, the one with the most authority asks him if he is the Messiah, the Son of the blessed one. To which he answers I am! This was the same phrase God (Yahweh) used when Moses asked God for a name in which to be sent. God says tell them "I am" sent you. With this the high priest shouted blasphemy because Jesus claimed to be God. Jesus gets convicted for saying who he really is, the Messiah the Son of the Living God.
The question for us today is do we follow Jesus at a distance, mixing in with the crowd because we are afraid of being seen as one of His followers? Does our testimony line up with what Jesus says about himself, or is it confused about his true identity saying things like, "he was a good moral teacher!" Finally do we confess. Jesus is the Messiah and our Lord? If you were on trial for these things would there be enough evidence to convict you?
Reflection:
There are three things to note in this passage as Jesus takes a step closer to the cross.
1. We see the words "Peter followed at a distance." Remember yesterday everyone had fled leaving Jesus all alone. At least one disciple followed Jesus, even if it was at a distance. Perhaps Peter was curious about His Lord and what would happen to him. Or, maybe he thought he could intervene at some point. But it says he sat with the guards and warmed himself with the guards! Perhaps in fear that he would be noticed as one of Jesus' followers. We will hear more about that tomorrow.
2. Though they tried to bear false witness against him with trumped up charges, it says their testimonies did not agree. God confused their plan, so that Jesus would not be declared guilty for anything less than being the Messiah. As we know with lies, they eventually don't add up, and one needs to tell more lies to cover up the previous ones. Part of this was taking what Jesus said and distorting it to fit their preconceived notions. Can you see how this could happen today in a different context?
3. Finally, when they ask for Jesus to respond He is silent. He does not feel compelled to answer. He is the one really in control of the proceedings, he knows exactly what is going to transpire. In the end the high priest, the one with the most authority asks him if he is the Messiah, the Son of the blessed one. To which he answers I am! This was the same phrase God (Yahweh) used when Moses asked God for a name in which to be sent. God says tell them "I am" sent you. With this the high priest shouted blasphemy because Jesus claimed to be God. Jesus gets convicted for saying who he really is, the Messiah the Son of the Living God.
The question for us today is do we follow Jesus at a distance, mixing in with the crowd because we are afraid of being seen as one of His followers? Does our testimony line up with what Jesus says about himself, or is it confused about his true identity saying things like, "he was a good moral teacher!" Finally do we confess. Jesus is the Messiah and our Lord? If you were on trial for these things would there be enough evidence to convict you?
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