Conversation in court
A desperate judge and a silent prisoner. The evidence isn’t strong enough to obtain the death penalty, and the judge, who is chief priest of the nation, has already decided that this man must die.
He commands the prisoner to speak. Swearing in the name of God, (something forbidden under his own law) he charges Jesus to answer his questions;
“Are you the Christ?” “Are you the son of God?”
Jesus answers: “It is as you say.” But I say to all of you, you will see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of God and coming in the clouds of heaven”
Shocked, the court pronounces judgment. Jesus is guilty of blasphemy, and under their religious law, people who blaspheme die.
Yet, it is Jesus who had pronounced sentence upon the court. He has reminded them of the prophecy of Daniel. Daniel talks of world powers, about how one nation after another will rule over Israel and over most of the world, but he says that in his vision he saw a person like ‘a son of man’ coming with heavenly clouds. This Son of Man approaches the Ancient of Days and is led into his presence. Authority is conferred upon the Son of Man that he shall govern in glory and power over all people and nations. He will be praised and thanked in many languages. His dominion will never pass away and his realm will never be destroyed.
Jesus had sealed his fate, crucifixion is certain now. The chief priest and other priests hurry him away to the Roman ruler.
To the priests such a claim as Jesus had made seemed impossible. Yet Jesus had given every sign, he had forgiven sins, preached the news of God's kingdom, he had healed the people and fed them, he had used the sacred title, ‘I am” he had demonstrated his power to raise people to life. Even so, they could not believe. The force of evil had blinded these religious men to the hope of the faithful and the focus of all religion.
What should have been their sustaining hope? The hope that their names were written in God’s book of life. Instead of hope they now have fear. They no longer dare to look forward to the day when God, at last, steps in to put an end to violence and injustice, because they fear that the one who comes with him will be this man, Jesus.
Jesus has said that they will see him coming not as their prisoner but as their judge. For the rest of their lives they must deny the likelihood that Jesus is indeed the Prince of the Kingdom of God. Jesus has said that they will see, and they fear what they will see. Because when they do it will be too late to believe.
Over the years since Jesus died and rose again, there have been many who chose not to believe. They have ignored Jesus, dismissed his claims. When they see him coming to put everything right, he will not be their savior but their judge.
Gospel of Matthew chapter 26, verses 62 - 67
Old Testament book of Daniel chapter 7, verses 13 and 14
He commands the prisoner to speak. Swearing in the name of God, (something forbidden under his own law) he charges Jesus to answer his questions;
“Are you the Christ?” “Are you the son of God?”
Jesus answers: “It is as you say.” But I say to all of you, you will see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of God and coming in the clouds of heaven”
Shocked, the court pronounces judgment. Jesus is guilty of blasphemy, and under their religious law, people who blaspheme die.
Yet, it is Jesus who had pronounced sentence upon the court. He has reminded them of the prophecy of Daniel. Daniel talks of world powers, about how one nation after another will rule over Israel and over most of the world, but he says that in his vision he saw a person like ‘a son of man’ coming with heavenly clouds. This Son of Man approaches the Ancient of Days and is led into his presence. Authority is conferred upon the Son of Man that he shall govern in glory and power over all people and nations. He will be praised and thanked in many languages. His dominion will never pass away and his realm will never be destroyed.
Jesus had sealed his fate, crucifixion is certain now. The chief priest and other priests hurry him away to the Roman ruler.
To the priests such a claim as Jesus had made seemed impossible. Yet Jesus had given every sign, he had forgiven sins, preached the news of God's kingdom, he had healed the people and fed them, he had used the sacred title, ‘I am” he had demonstrated his power to raise people to life. Even so, they could not believe. The force of evil had blinded these religious men to the hope of the faithful and the focus of all religion.
What should have been their sustaining hope? The hope that their names were written in God’s book of life. Instead of hope they now have fear. They no longer dare to look forward to the day when God, at last, steps in to put an end to violence and injustice, because they fear that the one who comes with him will be this man, Jesus.
Jesus has said that they will see him coming not as their prisoner but as their judge. For the rest of their lives they must deny the likelihood that Jesus is indeed the Prince of the Kingdom of God. Jesus has said that they will see, and they fear what they will see. Because when they do it will be too late to believe.
Over the years since Jesus died and rose again, there have been many who chose not to believe. They have ignored Jesus, dismissed his claims. When they see him coming to put everything right, he will not be their savior but their judge.
Gospel of Matthew chapter 26, verses 62 - 67
Old Testament book of Daniel chapter 7, verses 13 and 14
posted by Jessie Coates at 3:52 AM
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