Illegal, Wrong but it was the Plan

May 16, 2018

Mark 14:53-65

What is happening this night is illegal by Jewish law, it was the calling of the Sanhedrin at night with one purpose, to kill Jesus.  But they had a problem; Roman law did not give them the authority to do such a thing.  By Jewish law it required two or even three witnesses telling the same story or account, and that night they all said something different.

It may be of interest that Peter, who ran away after cutting off the high priest servant’s ear, has shown up in the courtyard of the high priest and is warming himself by the fire with the high priest guards.  But it is not what’s happening in the courtyard but inside that has eternal importance, Jesus is silent, because the high priest knows this is all rigged to bring the death sentence, he was blown away that Jesus had not spoken.

Now the high priest you would assume knows scripture, and one would expect that he had read Isaiah 53:7, “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.” 

So far the plan has not worked, and the high priest has a second question for Jesus, found in Mark 14:61,  ^“But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”  Have no misunderstanding, all in the room understood the question, are you our Messiah?  This is Jesus reply in verse 62, “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.”

Now we have the opportunity to observe religion at it best; listen to what they said and did.  Verses 63-65,  ^“And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” 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.”

“Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction.” Blaise Pascal

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice