Word@Work 184 - Mark 14:55-56
Published: Fri, 08/08/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 14:55-56 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. (NIV)
Law, if it is to be just, demands evidence of wrongdoing. Here we have the best brains of the Jewish civil service and seventy two of the top religious academics - on the horns of a dilemma. They had arrested a man who did no wrong, with no evidence - except that He did nothing wrong! The false witnesses who were put under cross examination found that their statements were contradictory and worthless. The more stooges they brought into the witness box, the more obvious their lies. That is because lies have no resting place, they chase themselves around in circles, until they fall over like dizzy dogs.
You may ask why the prosecutors did not look at all the evidence for Jesus being the Messiah, the anointed Son of God. Mark has presented us with much of it in this gospel. But they did not want objective truth or justice. They simply wanted Jesus out of the way so that they could continue to have their own way. If they could have found fault with him, they would have smirked, but not hated Jesus: but they did hate Him, because His righteousness was impenetrable.
How these verses show the darkness of the self-obsessed heart. And that was why Jesus wanted to die - so that the proud might be released from bondage by bowing, the wanderer might return and the spiritually blind, see. Today, gospel men and woman are still subjected to hateful prejudice ... just because they love Jesus. But don't forget that Jesus died for their persecutors too! So, don't back down from Jesus when the going gets tough - He is the only hope for those who taunt you!
Prayer: Dear Lord. I often want to retreat when people get at me because I love You. Please forgive me and help me to have Your compassion, as they are so lost and have no hope apart from You. In Your Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
Law, if it is to be just, demands evidence of wrongdoing. Here we have the best brains of the Jewish civil service and seventy two of the top religious academics - on the horns of a dilemma. They had arrested a man who did no wrong, with no evidence - except that He did nothing wrong! The false witnesses who were put under cross examination found that their statements were contradictory and worthless. The more stooges they brought into the witness box, the more obvious their lies. That is because lies have no resting place, they chase themselves around in circles, until they fall over like dizzy dogs.
You may ask why the prosecutors did not look at all the evidence for Jesus being the Messiah, the anointed Son of God. Mark has presented us with much of it in this gospel. But they did not want objective truth or justice. They simply wanted Jesus out of the way so that they could continue to have their own way. If they could have found fault with him, they would have smirked, but not hated Jesus: but they did hate Him, because His righteousness was impenetrable.
How these verses show the darkness of the self-obsessed heart. And that was why Jesus wanted to die - so that the proud might be released from bondage by bowing, the wanderer might return and the spiritually blind, see. Today, gospel men and woman are still subjected to hateful prejudice ... just because they love Jesus. But don't forget that Jesus died for their persecutors too! So, don't back down from Jesus when the going gets tough - He is the only hope for those who taunt you!
Prayer: Dear Lord. I often want to retreat when people get at me because I love You. Please forgive me and help me to have Your compassion, as they are so lost and have no hope apart from You. In Your Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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