Day Two Mark 14:53-65
53 They took Jesus to the high priest’s home where the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law had gathered. 54 Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and went right into the high priest’s courtyard. There he sat with the guards, warming himself by the fire.
55 Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find evidence against Jesus, so they could put him to death. But they couldn’t find any. 56 Many false witnesses spoke against him, but they contradicted each other. 57 Finally, some men stood up and gave this false testimony: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this Temple made with human hands, and in three days I will build another, made without human hands.’” 59 But even then they didn’t get their stories straight!
60 Then the high priest stood up before the others and asked Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” 61 But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
62 Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
63 Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Why do we need other witnesses? 64 You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?”
“Guilty!” they all cried. “He deserves to die!”
65 Then some of them began to spit at him, and they blindfolded him and beat him with their fists. “Prophesy to us,” they jeered. And the guards slapped him as they took him away. – Mark 14:53-65 (NLT)
Discover
1. What problem are the men who are trying to kill Jesus running into (verses 55-59)?
2. What questions does Jesus choose to answer and not answer (verses 60-62)?
3. How do you see groupthink ensuing in verses 63-65?
Respond
The illegal trial of Jesus isn’t going so well for those opposing Him, so the high priest takes matters into his own hands. He asks Jesus directly, “Are you the Messiah?” and Jesus responds, “I am.” While other religions claim Jesus to be a good teacher and prophet, verses like these should make us take note that this simply can't be true. As C.S. Lewis put it, Jesus was either Lord, a liar, or a lunatic. He was not a created being, He was God in flesh. Who do you know Jesus to be? Get to know Him yourself! Learn to love Him with your heart, soul, and your mind.
For Further Reading: An Investigation: Is Jesus Liar, Lunatic, or Lord?
*TPCC does not necessarily endorse all For Further Reading/Learning sources. They are simply meant to be a helpful tool.