Word@Work 191 - Mark 15:1-2
Published: Tue, 08/19/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 15:1-2 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and turned him over to Pilate. "Are you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate. "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. (NIV)
For many people who have been wrestling with a problem, coming to a decision is a big relief: even if the decision is wrong! The religious court had already agreed that Jesus was guilty of blasphemy by admitting to being the Messiah (Mark 14:61-62), and that according to the Jewish law, He should be put to death. But the Roman occupiers did not recognise blasphemy as an offence, and although the Sanhedrin had considerable authority to regulate Jewish society, only the Roman government could sentence a man to death.
So, they had to find a Roman offence that would achieve the fatal result. Luke 23:2 tells us that they decided on treason. To support their case, they would say that Jesus preached civil disobedience and claimed to be a king. And so the Truth was twisted, the Life-giver was bound, the Way was led away. Pilate's question was truthfully answered - Jesus was the King of the Jews (anointed by God but not yet crowned by the people) and the formal trial began.
As always, the truth, when twisted, is much fouler than an outright lie. It is the hallmark of Satan's trade (cf John 8:44). We see it in business, family, friendship and even fellowship - it provides an excuse for behaviour when there is no valid reason. At its lightest, it achieves its objective by deception; often it assassinates character; and it stopped at nothing until Jesus was killed. So look for those tell-tale signs in yourself, and repent: see them in others and beware. Yet the God of truth will always have the last word - as Jesus did when He rose from the dead.
Prayer: Father God. I know that untruth lurks inside everybody. Help me to guard against being used for Satan's purposes when I open my mouth or write, email or text. Please be my guard against the lies of others, and yet help me to always remember that whatever others may say or do, You always have the last word. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
For many people who have been wrestling with a problem, coming to a decision is a big relief: even if the decision is wrong! The religious court had already agreed that Jesus was guilty of blasphemy by admitting to being the Messiah (Mark 14:61-62), and that according to the Jewish law, He should be put to death. But the Roman occupiers did not recognise blasphemy as an offence, and although the Sanhedrin had considerable authority to regulate Jewish society, only the Roman government could sentence a man to death.
So, they had to find a Roman offence that would achieve the fatal result. Luke 23:2 tells us that they decided on treason. To support their case, they would say that Jesus preached civil disobedience and claimed to be a king. And so the Truth was twisted, the Life-giver was bound, the Way was led away. Pilate's question was truthfully answered - Jesus was the King of the Jews (anointed by God but not yet crowned by the people) and the formal trial began.
As always, the truth, when twisted, is much fouler than an outright lie. It is the hallmark of Satan's trade (cf John 8:44). We see it in business, family, friendship and even fellowship - it provides an excuse for behaviour when there is no valid reason. At its lightest, it achieves its objective by deception; often it assassinates character; and it stopped at nothing until Jesus was killed. So look for those tell-tale signs in yourself, and repent: see them in others and beware. Yet the God of truth will always have the last word - as Jesus did when He rose from the dead.
Prayer: Father God. I know that untruth lurks inside everybody. Help me to guard against being used for Satan's purposes when I open my mouth or write, email or text. Please be my guard against the lies of others, and yet help me to always remember that whatever others may say or do, You always have the last word. In Jesus' 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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