QT 1/30/2024 Matt 14:53-65, Focus on the gospel, not the other stuff

Mark 14:53–65 (ESV) —

53 And they led Jesus to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together. 54 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. 55 Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. 56 For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. 57 And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, 58 “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.’ ” 59 Yet even about this their testimony did not agree. 60 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?” 61 But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 62 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.” 63 And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? 64 You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death. 65 And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” And the guards received him with blows.

 

NOTE: Elsewhere it has been observed how many Jewish rules were violated in this trial (I recommend The Trial of the Messiah, MBS009, Dr Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries Digital Press). In his short paper, Fruchtenbaum addresses 22 major judicial laws that were violated. Many are included in the above passage, but three of the most important stand out here, 1) the accused cannot testify against himself, 2) the High Priest was forbidden to tear his garments, and 3) a person cannot be condemned on the basis of his own words alone. There are many other examples in this passage, but it is amazing how rules, morality, and truth are thrown out the door when individuals are so enraged about an issue. We see this today in the political arena. There are so many lies (from both sides) and nobody seems to care about truth. There is no one who approaches things rationally. We are an emotionally-directed nation with no sense or care about what is true or not. What is true in this country is what a person wants to be true. Morality and truth are secondary to achieving the end goals.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I allow the news to emotionally move me? Or can I listen to the news and objectively view it?
2. Am I more serious about politics or am I more serious about people hearing the good news of Jesus Christ? What really motivates me?

 

PRAYER: Father, I want to be focused on the gospel and getting the gospel message out to a dying and deceived world. Give me courage, boldness, and ideas to do that.