Jesus Suffered Mentally (Number 3)

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Then 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? But Jesus remained silent. Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?” Matthew 26:59, 62,67

They couldn’t find a law he had broken. He knew nothing he would say would change his situation, so he remained silent even when all the witnesses gave false evidence. In this situation, we would say we didn’t do anything wrong, but Jesus knew this was all his Father’s plan and didn’t try to change the verdict. Only the son of God could have known that. How hard to be able to stop something but also know you shouldn’t stop it. Now people he knew were lying about him, physically abusing him and he remained silent!

The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if  you are the Christ, the Son of God.” “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you; in the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Look, now you have heard blasphemy. What do you think?” Mathew 26:63-65

Jesus told the truth, but the high priest whom he had worked with said his words were the act or offense of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things and profane talk. Never did Jesus do such a thing. Can you imagine how Jesus felt about that accusation!  

Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor. Matthew 27:1-2

These people Jesus had never hurt, never stolen from, or lied to, but they bound him and took him to the political leader. It was guilty before a trial. We wouldn’t stand for it.

For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabas and to have Jesus executed. Matthew 27:18-20

The leaders didn’t like the way the people came to Jesus who gave them love and healed them.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for what you did for us. Knowing how you must of felt in this process, it is hard for us to comprehend. Guide us to pass on to others your great love. Amen.

Sandra Hilsabeck