The Passionنموونە

I have a teenager now, and on the rare occasion that we have a disagreement, there’s a battle for the last word. Whoever gets it can walk away feeling like they’ve won the argument. There’s no such pettiness from Jesus in today’s passage.

Jesus is hauled in before the high priest Caiaphas and the whole council gathered in a courtroom charade. They have no hard evidence to put Jesus to death, so a series of false witnesses are called. Even then, there’s still insufficient evidence for the death penalty, so they keep looking. To the relief of this kangaroo court, finally, two come forward and testify that Jesus would destroy God’s temple and rebuild it in three days. How right they were! But also, how wrong they were. Jesus’ plan did not involve bricks and mortar but His own flesh and blood.

Can you imagine facing this string of slurs on your character? Jesus doesn’t need to squabble with Caiaphas, because He will have the last word. There will be a day when Caiaphas and all of His accusers will see Jesus in a very different setting. They will see Him in all His heavenly glory, seated at the right hand of Power, coming on the clouds of heaven. This is an image from the book of Daniel, who sees a vision of one “like a son of man” (Daniel 7:13, ESV) given all power and authority. The tables will one day be turned, when Jesus will pass judgement on His accusers. He will have the last word.

Today, ponder this: Knowing we will all give an account of ourselves before Jesus, who are you motivated to pray for, and share your gospel hope with?