There is no greater example of human arrogance than arresting and putting the Son of God on trial. Yet, this is exactly what happened to Jesus.
Those who arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and elders had gathered (Matthew 26:57).
Before we criticize the religious leaders for their behavior towards Jesus, we need to understand the meaning of the word transgression.
To transgress is to see God’s revealed will and believe it doesn’t apply to us. We cross the line and follow our own will, effectively judging God as unwilling or unable to care for our best interests.
We can only imagine the fear and anguish the followers of Jesus felt when they saw him arrested and taken to trial before the religious authorities. Peter’s actions represent their reaction to this tragic event.
“But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end” (Matthew 26:58).
I find it helpful to imagine myself in the crowd during Jesus’s arrest and trial. You might try this as well.
Based on my character, I would likely be hiding somewhere, trying to remain anonymous, afraid and fearful for what might happen to me and the Savior I love.
Jesus Before the Religious Authorities
I encourage you to watch today’s YouTube video. Rudy Ross explains why two witnesses were needed to convict someone of capital crimes.
“Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward.
At last, two came forward and said, ‘This fellow said, “I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days”'” (Matthew 26:59-61).
The hypocrisy of the religious authorities is astounding. They had already decided Jesus was guilty but needed to follow the law, so they sought false testimony against him.
We should look deep within our hearts and ask God to reveal our hypocrisy. To what extent are we pretending in this world, rather than being genuine with God and others?
Jesus’ Nature Revealed
Throughout the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus often told the crowd not to reveal his identity. At this climactic moment, he reveals his true nature to the religious authorities.
“The high priest stood up and said, ‘Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?’ But Jesus was silent.
Then the high priest said to him, ‘I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.’
Jesus said to him, ‘You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven'” (Matthew 26:62-64).
Throughout his trial and crucifixion, Jesus said “nary a word,” (to quote an old spiritual) fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy about the Messiah.
“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).
Jesus identified himself with the prophecy concerning the Messiah, the Son of Man, and the Son of God. The authorities responded by sending him to Pilate and then to the cross for death.
Only after the resurrection was the true authority and nature of our Savior revealed.
“And Jesus came and said to them [the disciples], ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me'” (Matthew 28:18).
If you ever wonder what the Lord thinks about the humble and lowly in the face of the arrogant and powerful, this is a prime example. People with authority and power stooped to the lowest level to insult the Son of God.
The Son of God, on the other hand, silently accepted their abuse, as Isaiah had prophesied.
“Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. What do you think?’
They answered, ‘He deserves death.’ Then they spat in his face and struck him, and some slapped him, saying, ‘Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?'” (Matthew 26:65-68).
Paul perfectly sums up the grace of God through his Son.
“For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. You can find it on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 