Judgment: Day 23 of Lent
63 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.” 64 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.”
65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your verdict?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67 Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?”
Matthew 26:63-68
Also in Mark 14:61-65 and Luke 22:63-71.
Note: CHARGE. Frustrated by the persistent silence of the accused and seeing no other way to get a response, the high priest used the oath to which any faithful Jew must respond: “I adjure you by the living God. . . ,” and got the response that he wanted.
Response:
That reaction is frightening, Lord!
They’re so afraid of you it brings out the worst in them.
What’s most frightening for us Lord, is that they were good people:
guardians of orthodoxy, defenders of the faith, with the highest moral and spiritual insights of any yet… and they react like this!
They were devout men, moderate men, good men. . . some were friends of yours.. and they were unanimous!
You warned us, didn’t you, Lord, how standing orders can become too rigid, how rules and regulations can limit Love, can crib, confine, and crucify Love?
Let this be a warning to us!
As we see you, calm and controlled, standing for faith and hope, for truth and love…
let it bring out the best in us!
Response:
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