Mark 14:61 – 65 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.
Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”
“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.”
The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”
They all condemned him as worthy of death. 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.
Have you ever been between a rock and a hard place? Jesus was in one of those places. Actually, it was more of a “darned-if-you-do, darned-if-you-don’t” kind of place. There were all kinds of people giving all kinds of testimonies about Jesus. Some were true, some were false (see verses 55 – 60).
When the high priest asked Jesus what He had to say for Himself, He remained silent. He knew, given all the mixed testimonies that had been heard, nothing He said would help. But then, the priest asked Him a direct question.
“Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”
And of course, Jesus spoke the truth. 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.”
It was the truth. But it wasn’t what the priest wanted to hear. And that piece of truth carried our Lord one step closer to His execution.
Why did He do it? Oh, I know all the pat, spiritual answers. I know He loved us, and He wanted to die for our sins so that we could spend an eternity with Him in heaven. I know all of that.
But really. Think about it.
Jesus was every bit as human as you or I. He knew what was coming. He knew.
And still, He continued on. He could have stopped the madness at any time on His journey to the cross. He could have called down ten thousand warrior angels to zap everyone. With one word, He could have condemned the entire world, past, present and future, to the pit of hell.
Why didn’t He say, “To hell with them all?” Why didn’t He cast down his angry judgment on every last one of us?
I don’t know why. Except . . . except to say that He loves us with an unreasonable, immeasurable, unfathomable love. It is a love we will never completely understand until we stand before Him, face-to-face. And even then, I’m not sure I’ll totally comprehend it.
But I am understanding more and more of that love. Each and every day, as we seek Him, as we are being made holy, He allows us to understand more of His heart. And with that understanding comes transformation – slow, steady transformation into His likeness.
Why did He endure the pain, the humiliation, the suffering for me? I don’t have all the answers. Yet.
But I’m so glad He did.
Dear Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for helping me to grow more like You. Help me in my journey to become holy and perfect, just like You.
Amen
Renae, His love for us and strength to carry out His task leaves me in awe. He is my strong tower!
Thanks so much for your prayers for me and my family!!
It’s my biggest question Renae. It’s what I would ask Him if I got the chance. In the meantime, here’s a quote I read lastnight:
‘Ours is in the trying. The rest is not our business’
Hi, Cheryl and Jackie! Isn’t it great to be on the receiving end of such love?
Great quote, Jackie.
Our Incomprehensible God.
Jean
You’re right–what He did for us is unfathomable. I keep thinking about how connected Christ was to His Father and how tuned-in He was to the Father’s will. Not only did He die for us but in doing so, He showed us how to live.
Hi Jean and Pam. He is amazing, isn’t He?
Pam – you’re right. He showed us how to do it. I’m glad He doesn’t give up on me, for I’m a slow learner!
Even in the darkest of days, His Love make the sun shine.
Yep.