Gentleness under trial

Gentleness under trial

Scripture:-

⁵⁷ Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. ⁵⁸ But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

⁵⁹ The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death.⁶⁰ But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

Finally two came forward ⁶¹ and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

⁶² Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” ⁶³ But Jesus remained silent.

The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

⁶⁴ “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

⁶⁵ Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. ⁶⁶ What do you think?”

“He is worthy of death,” they answered.

⁶⁷ Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him ⁶⁸ and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?” Matthew 26:57-68

Observation:-

After the Lord is arrested, He is brought to the high priest Caiaphas. There, the elders and the Sanhedrin seek various ways to find false evidence to put him to death. Many false witnesses come forward, but nothing conclusive is forthcoming. Finally, two accuse Jesus of saying He is able to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days. Caiaphas challenges Jesus to answer this accusation but the Lord remains silent. In great anger, Caiaphas then challenges Jesus under oath to God to declare if he really is the Messiah, the Son of God.

At this point, the Lord declares “You have said so. But from now on you will see the son of man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty one and coming one the clouds of heaven.” Caiaphas immediately tears his clothes and cries blasphemy, and induces the crowd to pronounce the Lord worthy of death. Then they abuse him with spit and blows and mock him as the Lord becomes silent again.

Application:-

What was the motive of the elders and the Sanhedrin? From the start, they were already consumed by jealousy, which turned to hate and cultivated that murderous spirit within them. The majority of them were filled with pride and a judgmental spirit. We need to beware of cultivating a similar attitude which in the end, resulted in them degenerating into a murderous mob.

Why was it so hard for the false witnesses to pin concrete false evidence on Jesus? It was because the Lord led such a pure and blameless life. Those who tried to defame Jesus only ended up making a fool of themselves. It should be our objective too to live a blameless life like the Lord, that even if others abuse or slander us, they will be ashamed in their hearts.

What did Jesus mean about sitting at the right hand of the Father and coming on the clouds of Heaven? Firstly, the Lord was foretelling where He would be going in a short while, back to His rightful place at the right hand of the Father. Secondly, the Lord was looking forward to His second coming, when He would come in the clouds in all power and glory to the detriment of all who rejected Him.

Why did Jesus accept all the abuse and mocking in complete silence? Scripture prophesies of Jesus as the meek lamb offered up in sacrifice for the world – a bruised reed he will not snap and a smoldering wicker he will not snuff out. He only spoke out as the Spirit led Him. We can only marvel at the humility and self-control of the Lord, who at any time had at his disposal 12 legions of angels that could easily rout the mob and Roman soldiers.

Prayer:

We praise You, Lord, for the great and excellent things You have done. Forgive us, O Lord, for the sin of pride and jealousy, and having a critical spirit. Give us O Lord, a spirit of maturity and wisdom, not to be alarmed or focused on the outside of things, but rather look deeper into the more important spiritual things. Help us, O Lord, live a pure and blameless life to the extent that those who slander us will be ashamed. Help us, Lord, cultivate Your great humility and gentleness and self-control. We praise You, Lord Jesus, who sit at the right hand of the Father, who will come again soon in the clouds of Heaven! Blessed be Your name O Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.