Matthew 26:57-68 Mark 14:53-65


Matthew 26:57-68
57 Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. 58 But Peter was following Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the officers to see the outcome.
59 Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. 60 They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward, 61 and said, “This man stated, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.’” 62 The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” 63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.”
65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; 66 what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!”
67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, You Christ; who is the one who hit You?”
Mark 14:53, 55-65
53 They led Jesus away to the high priest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes gathered together. 54 Peter had followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers and warming himself at the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, and they were not finding any. 56 For many were giving false testimony against Him, but their testimony was not consistent. 57 Some stood up and began to give false testimony against Him, saying, 58 “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.’” 59 Not even in this respect was their testimony consistent. 60 The high priest stood up and came forward and questioned Jesus, saying, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” 61 But He kept silent and did not answer. Again the high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 And Jesus said, “I am; and you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.” 63 Tearing his clothes, the high priest said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? 64 “You have heard the blasphemy; how does it seem to you?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. 65 Some began to spit at Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him with their fists, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers received Him with slaps in the face.
The trial that ensues after Jesus is “captured” is a mockery at best.  The result of the trial has already been determined.  This is simply a performance to be able to claim that justice was served.  They have no fear of the Lord.  They have decided what they believe the truth to be and will do all they can to maintain that position.  When men begin to determine truth based on personal benefit, they will go to great extent to convince themselves and others of the alternate view of reality.

THE WITNESSES MAKE CONTRADICTION: The “trial” was arranged with people who offered to give false testimonies about Jesus, but they could not get their stories straight.  They constantly contradicted one another and were unable to make any kind of accusation against Jesus that was worthy of condemnation.  Finally, someone misquoted Him as having claimed that He would tear down the temple and then rebuild it in three days.  He had been talking about His own death and resurrection, but they misunderstood it as being a threat to perfume an act of terrorism in Jerusalem.  They decided this was worth pursuing.  It is a testimony to the holiness of Jesus that there were no accusations that could be brought against Him.  This should be the goal of every believer to live in such a way that we are above reproach and not have people that are able to make accusations against us. 

JESUS MAKES A TRUE CONFESSION: When Jesus was questioned further about all the temple destruction quote, they finally asked Him straight out if He was the Christ.  He made a true affirmation about Him being the Christ and that they would see Him seated at the right hand of the Father.  These were all true affirmations on His part, but they were extremely offensive to those who considered Him to be just another man.  This continues to be true today.  We all must decide what we believe about Jesus.  Either we will believe that He is who He said He is; or we will be greatly offended by His claims.  Because Jesus is God, and because He is perfect Man; He can pay the price for our sin and be the hope of our future glory for all eternity.  We must choose to believe, or we will reject Him and lose all of the promises that He offers through salvation.

THE COURT DECLARES CONDEMNATION: When Jesus correctly asserts that He is Christ, the high priest tears his clothes, declares that Jesus has blasphemed and asks for a verdict and sentencing.  The verdict comes in as guilty and the sentencing comes in as death.  At this point, pandemonium breaks out in this mock court as they begin to spit in his face, hit Him and mock Him.  If only they knew that they were the ones who were committing the sin of blasphemy.  One day they will stand before Jesus and bow before Him in recognition of His deity and glory.  They will recognize that they spit in the face of Messiah.  We too fail to recognize Jesus for who He truly is so many times in our lives.  We forget His glory and reject His sovereign right to rule in our lives.  It is important that we remember that we will stand before Jesus and give an account for how we have worshiped Him.

APPLICATION: Strive to eliminate areas of our lives that could open us up to accusations.  Know that in a sinful and broken world we run the risk of being accused and convicted unjustly.  Many people have done great harm to the kingdom of God while thinking they were serving God.  Be prepared to stand before Jesus.  Know that His judgment is always right.

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