53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.
55 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. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.
57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree.
60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.
Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”
They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.
-Mark 14:53-65
With all that’s happening in our nation, there’s been a lot of great discussions surrounding race and social justice. One unexpected product of those discussions is that it’s been helping me rediscover passages like this one today. I’m looking with new eyes at places where Jesus faced injustice.
In today’s passage, the religious and political leaders wanted to kill Jesus because they saw him as a threat to their authority. I’ve probably read this Bible passage a dozen times or more and in the past and just kind of glossed over it. But as I’ve been reflecting more about justice, this passage really hit me hard. Jesus, who was God, who was completely innocent, who left his comfortable home in heaven to help people, was falsely accused and killed. Jesus faced an unjust social and political system that eventually led to his torture and death.
In the end, this passage made me appreciate Jesus sacrifice for me. He willingly came to earth. He willingly faced injustice. He willingly suffered. And he willingly died on the Cross... for me... for us.
No matter where you are in your relationship with Jesus, may this passage be a reminder of his fierce love for you. This is what Jesus faced because he loves you. He. Loves. You.
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