April 14, 2016
GOD ON TRIAL?
Matthew 26:57–68
Ben Brown
Central Truth
Jesus, the Living Word, is the only truth and authority. When men try to claim authority outside of God’s Word, catastrophe occurs, and they ultimately condemn themselves to ruin.
Key Verse | Matthew 26:64
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." (Matthew 26:64)
Matthew 26:57–68
Jesus Before Caiaphas and the Council
57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole council 1 26:59 Greek Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61 and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” 62 And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” 2 26:62 Or Have you no answer to what these men testify against you? 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, 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 robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”
Dive Deeper | Matthew 26:57–68
The irony of this passage is astounding.
Here, we see the most rule-following and secularly "righteous" men of their time (the Sanhedrin) distort and defy their own rules in order to condemn the only truly righteous person who ever lived. It was illegal to hold a trial at night for a capital crime. Worse still, God’s Law commanded the death penalty for giving or seeking false testimony (Deuteronomy 19:16-21). For all of their outward piety, these men only cared about power, and they were willing to kill their Messiah to keep it. The end justified the means.
We’d do well to see this passage as a warning against putting our hope in men to arbitrate right and wrong. Whenever this is done, eventually even the pretense of justice is dismissed according to the whims of deceitful, desperately sick hearts. Give ultimate authority to men and they will use it to commit the ultimate crimes. Beware of cultural teachings that mankind is basically good, that human beings are of supreme importance in the universe, and that truth is shaped by human opinion. What drives these ideas is a black ambition to see authority transferred from God to us.
Throughout the mock trial, Jesus remains silent. He doesn’t have to say anything since none of the false witnesses are able to build a convincing case against Him (you see, the presence of God exposes falsehood). Eventually, however, He does speak, affirming Caiaphas’ charge that He is the Christ ("You have said so"). This is scandalous enough, but Jesus’ next sentence is even more devastating, though not for Him. Calling Himself "the Son of Man," Jesus reveals Himself as the mysterious figure prophesied by Daniel, to whom "was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him" (Daniel 7:13-14). With this statement, Jesus reveals that it hasn't been He who has been on trial, but His accusers. He alone has the authority of the Father ("seated at the right hand of Power"), and one day He will judge the secrets of men.
Discussion Questions
1. In what ways does our society put its hope in men to define truth and justice? In what ways might you?
2. Do you take comfort in knowing that God and His character define truth rather than the opinions of man? Why or why not?
3. If a friend were to tell you today that truth "can’t be known" or that there’s "no such thing as right or wrong," how would you respond?