Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Who Hit You, God?

57Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.
59The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.
Finally two came forward 61and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ”
62Then 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?” 63But Jesus remained silent.
The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
64“You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”e
65Then 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. 66What do you think?”
“He is worthy of death,” they answered.
67Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?” (Mathew 26:57-67)

Thoughts: The High Priest, Caiaphas had a house a few miles from the Garden of Gethsemane, and a few more from the praetorium where Jesus would be tried by Pilate and then crucified near there. 
     All evidence against God is false evidence. God is truth.  He is reality.  All who think that God is not there are under illusion.  They were trying to "find false evidence" (vs. 59). But false witnesses came forward- twisting His words.  Jesus spoke of His body dying and raising it in three days.  He spoke of His body as the Temple of God's Spirit.  What Jesus did speak of was the destruction of the Herodian Temple- finished in 67 AD and destroyed stone by stone in 70 AD.
   Finally the chief priest wanted Jesus to tell them if he thought he was God in the flesh- the "Son" or "flesh" of God.  Jesus said Yes- you have said so- but then clarifies by saying that He will come back to judge Him- and Jesus will be at the place of judgment- the right hand of the Father.  Caiaphas tore his clothes at the thought of a man claiming to be God. For any other it would be blasphemy.  For Jesus, it was like reading His ID Badge. 
  This section ends with people hitting Jesus asking Him to "Prophesy and say who hi Him."  What they meant was that these were strangers hitting Jesus- and they didn't think He could tell their names.  But God knows all of us by name and sees what we do.  Jesus did not need to give into their request for magic to prove His knowledge.  It would do no good.  They were basically asking, "Who hit you God?"  Thinking they were anonymous.  In the end, it was not Jesus who was blaspheming (cursing against God- or defaming Him).  It was the accusers.  God knows when we attack Him.  He may not answer us right away.  We may think we get away from it, but God knows and indeed cares.  

Prayer: Lord, may I never attack you.  Give me grace to fear your name and respect who you are.  

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