Jesus Before the Council

 Mark 14: 53 – 65

 

Jesus Before the Council

And they led Jesus to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together.  And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire.   Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none.   For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree.   And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying,  “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.   And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?”   But he remained silent and made no answer. Again, the high priest asked him, “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.”   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, “Prophecy!” And the guards received him with blows.

You may be a very religious person, so were the high priest, the elders, and the scribes, very religious, they taught about Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah that would set them free from the Romans who ruled over them.  But what they taught is not what they believed, they were not looking for Christ, in fact, the high priest was more than willing to kill Christ.  Explore John 18:14, “It was  Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.”  

 

Dr. Luke shares a very big truth that most who are very religious have in common, it is found in Luke 22:67-70, “If you are the Christ, tell us.”  But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe me,  and if I asked you, you would not answer.   But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.”  Our Churches are filled with many who are good people, fixed on the tradition and rules but not the Spirit of the Living God, they love the praise of man, but are not open to the Spirit of Christ.

In fact, many of them do not believe John 14:6, Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice