What Jesus Did : Mark 14:60-61 - No Reply
by Phil Ware
No Reply - Mark 14:60-61
Then the high priest stood before all the people and said to Jesus, "These people said things against you. Do you have something to say about these charges against you? Are these people telling the truth?" But Jesus said nothing. He did not answer. The high priest asked Jesus another question: "Are you the Christ, the Son of the blessed {God}?" (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
In fulfillment of the description of the suffering servant in Isaiah 53, Jesus does not open his mouth. If the totality of his ministry wasn't enough to silence his critics, then a verbal defense won't help. Jesus has the power to stop these events, but his silence in defending himself is just one more way he shows he is going to follow through with the will of God no matter the personal cost to himself. A priestly system that had grown corrupt and sold out to the Roman political machine could and would not judge him fairly. Their only desire was to stay in power. Jesus will not dignify them with a self-defense. He needs none to prove his innocence and he has already chosen to suffer the humiliation of what he will face to honor God and to save us.
Today's Prayer
Father, please help me to know how to use those moments of power that you give me in my life. I want to use those opportunities redemptively and not selfishly. I cannot help but be humbled at Jesus' restraint in the face of such a sham religious leader. May I have such wisdom and restraint when it is your will and may I be passionate and bold, just as Jesus was in cleansing the Temple, when that response is necessary. Please help me know the best way to honor you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
The people who arrested Jesus led him to the house of the high priest. All the leading priests, the older Jewish leaders, and the teachers of the law were gathered there. Peter followed Jesus, but he did not come near Jesus. Peter followed Jesus to the yard of the high priest's house. Peter went into the yard. Peter was sitting there with the guards. He was warming himself by their fire. The leading priests and all the Jewish council tried to find something that Jesus had done wrong so they could kill him. But the council could find no proof that would allow them to kill Jesus. Many people came and told false things against Jesus. But the people all said different things—none of them agreed. Then some people stood and said something false against Jesus. They said, "We heard this man (Jesus) say, 'I will destroy this temple that men made. And three days later, I will build another temple—a temple not made by men.'" But also the things these people said did not agree. Then the high priest stood before all the people and said to Jesus, "These people said things against you. Do you have something to say about these charges against you? Are these people telling the truth?" But Jesus said nothing. He did not answer. The high priest asked Jesus another question: "Are you the Christ, the Son of the blessed {God}?" Jesus answered, "Yes, I am the Son of God. And in the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right side of the Great One (God). And you will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven." When the high priest heard this, he was very angry. He tore his clothes and said, "We don't need any more witnesses! You all heard him say these things against God. What do you think?" All the people said that Jesus was wrong. They said he was guilty and must be killed. Some of the people there spit at Jesus. They covered Jesus' eyes and hit him with their fists. They said, "Be a prophet and tell us who hit you!" Then the guards led Jesus away and beat him.-- Mark 14:53-65 (ERV)
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