scripture
Matthew 26:59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”
62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.”
64 “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered.
67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?”
observation
Every time that the religious leaders went up against Jesus he was always able to put them in their place and cause them to back off, but this time was different. Previously we are told that no one dared to ask him any more questions because the response was way more than they could handle.
This time he did not say a word for to do so would have stopped the process that had now begun, the very reason that he had come to earth to begin with, if he spoke up on his behalf then he would have easily ruined their plans.
This time he only answered one question, “Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God” the one only time that he spoke up and it was not a response that would him in his defense but instead it would stir up more trouble against himself.
“Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Jesus willingly submitted himself to go through this process that would end in him giving his life on the cross. Even when they taunted him while they were punching him and told him to tell them which one of them had just hit him, can you imagine what would have happened if he would have said each name after the person hit him? I think that the punching and slapping would have stopped after he correctly told them who it was, they would have freaked out.
Jesus willingly went through being mistreated and embarrassed for our benefit, he could have spoke up at any time and silenced his critics just as he had done before.
application
I will not take lightly how much Jesus went through for me.
prayer
Thank you more than I can say for enduring the abuse and punishment that I deserved. I don’t know if I could love someone that treated me so badly.
