24.198 | Are You The Christ, The Son Of The Blessed? | Mark 14:53-65 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

Mark 14:53-65 ESV

ARE YOU THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE BLESSED?

After they captured Jesus, the soldiers led them to the high priest. He was taken first to Annas [John 18:13] Unable to get a confession, Annas takes Jesus to Caiaphas, his son-in-law and the current high priest (John 18:19–24). All the chief priests, elders, and scribes came together to accuse Jesus. They were looking for legal reasons to execute Jesus. These greedy people were actively seeking fake evidence to support their political goals They were seeking testimony against Him but they found none. Many stood up and bore false witness against Him. They said, “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’” Yet even about this, their testimony did not agree. In the Mosaic law, a conviction requires two witnesses (Deut 19:15). Clearly, they mobbed Him leading into a kangaroo court. It was chaotic.

Today, more than two thousand years have passed and we shake our heads at their arrogance and duplicity. But, are we not seeing the same culture that confronts us? "Fake news," partial information, rumors, misleading headlines are rampant in the internet, are they not? These lies are carefully cultivated to reinforce whatever someone wants others to believe.

The chief priest prodded Him to answer saying, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But he remained silent and made no answer. Like Jesus, we don’t need to panic about the perception of hostile and prejudiced people. People are entitled to their own opinions. There is strength in silence as a ‘meek lamb’ before a frenzy crowd. As Peter recalls, “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” [1 Pet 2:22,23]

However, Jesus answered when He was asked directly about His identity. The high priest asked, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

This truth has made the chief priest mad. He tore his garment and concluded, saying, “What further witnesses do we need? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” He is distraught that Jesus elevates Himself to God's right hand (v.62).It was the accusation of blasphemy against God and not treason against the Roman government that made them mad.

All became violent toward Jesus. And they all condemned him as deserving death. And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” And the guards received him with blows. This is the fulfillment of Jesus being the Suffering Servant as He undergoes such abuse. In Isaiah 50:6, it says, "I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting." This was not an accident but an intentional act of Jesus, He said, “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father" (John 10:17–18).

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