An Intolerable Fact. Mark 14:60-65.
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? “But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? “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. “And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? “You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision? “And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophecy!” And the guards received him with blows.
Dear Family,
The trial of Jesus by the Jewish high council was a preliminary hearing. Anyone found guilty of a capital offense would have to be handed over to the Romans for trial, and if found guilty, execution.
Challenged (v. 60-61). Jesus was not cooperating as intended, because he remained silent as all manner of false accusations were made against him. The high priest took the direct approach and dared Jesus to state if indeed he was the Messiah. Interesting in the question is whether Jesus is “the Son of the Blessed,” an indication that the Jewish people did indeed expect the Messiah to be the Son of God.
Confirmed (v. 62). Jesus not only replied in the affirmative, but he also went further and linked his person to a divine Position. The right hand is the position where the heir to the throne would sit. Jesus is claiming to be the heir to the throne of God. Prophecy. Jesus’ statement about sitting “at the right hand of Power” alludes to Psalm 110:1, while the next about coming in the clouds is a clear reference to Daniel’s prophecy (Daniel 7:13-14). He leaves no room for uncertainty as to his claim.
Condemned (v. 63-64). The rending of one’s garments was an expression of grief, anguish, or shock (Genesis 37: 29, 34; 2 Kings 19:1). In this case, it was the high priest’s condemnation of what he saw as blasphemy. The law of Moses prescribed death by stoning for anyone who would blaspheme the name of God (Leviticus 24:16). The one thing that the whole Sanhedrin failed to consider was the possibility of Jesus’ claim being true, in which case it would not have been blasphemy. They were blinded by their desire to maintain the status quo and would not even consider the possibility.
Chided (v. 65). The mockery began immediately. Spitting on a person was a demonstration of the highest form of contempt. The Sanhedrin councilors lowered themselves to the level of the common people as they covered the eyes of Jesus and struck him, challenging him to prophesy. In Matthew’s account, he states that it was a challenge to identify who had struck him (Matthew 26:68). The guards also rained blows on him as he was delivered to them. Obsession with power, traditions, and financial gain had blinded a council comprising some of the most eminent scholars and interpreters of the Old Testament to the reality of the fulfillment of prophecy right before them, and they mocked instead. It is time for a rain check. What blinds us?
Your Loving Pastor Chris.