Scripture: Matthew 26: 57Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58But 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.59The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally, two came forward 61and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”62Then 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?”63But 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.”65Then 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 68and said, “Prophecy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?” Have you ever felt threatened by God?
- 59The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death.
- 60But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.
- Finally, two came forward 61and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’
- If Jesus is who he says is, he destroys their way of life. He is a threat.
- 62Then 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?”63But 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.”
- Jesus knows who he is; do you?
- Does your belief system get in the way of seeing God at work?
- 65Then 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. 66What do you think?”
- Are you the real blasphemer?
- 66What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” the answered. 67Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68and said, “Prophecy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”
- How does Jesus threaten you?
- When you feel threatened by Jesus, follow him anyway.
- No matter how it feels, his way is best.
Read Matthew 26:57-68
- Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin have the wrong idea about the Messiah. Read Matthew 25:14-30. How does the third servant's wrong ideas about the Master parallel Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin's wrong ideas about the Messiah?
- When Jesus responds in Vv.64, he is quoting Psalm110:1 and Daniel7:13. Why do you think Jesus selected this verse to quote back to the Sanhedrin?
- Jesus is claiming to the Messiah they need, not the Messiah they want. In your opinion, what kind of Messiah do people want today? Is Jesus that kind of Messiah? Why or why not?
- Read Isaiah 53:7. How does Jesus fulfill this description of the Suffering Servant?
