Luke 22:63-71
63 The men who were holding Jesus in custody began mocking Him and beating Him,
64 and they blindfolded Him and repeatedly asked Him, saying, “Prophesy, who is the one who hit You?”
65 And they were saying many other things against Him, blaspheming.
66 When it was day, the Council of elders of the people assembled, both chief priests and scribes, and they led Him away to their council chamber, saying,
67 “If You are the Christ, tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe;
68 and if I ask a question, you will not answer.
69 But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”
70 And they all said, “So You are the Son of God?” And He said to them, “You say correctly that I am.”
71 And then they said, “What further need do we have of testimony? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth!”
Jesus’ Trial (1)
Soldiers who mocked Jesus
Until the formal trial before the Sanhedrin (the council) began, Jesus was kept under the custody of a group of soldiers. It is clear that the soldiers abused Him, yet Luke leaves only the minimum record of it. The soldiers not only acted violently toward Jesus but also mocked Him. They must have heard the rumor that Jesus was a prophet. So, they blindfolded Jesus and said, “If You are truly a prophet, then even with Your eyes covered, You should know who struck You. Now, prophesy who hit You just now?” Jesus remained silent. They were mocking the One who was far more than a true prophet. If you had been present there, what kind of attitude do you think you would have taken? In your daily life, do you ever encounter situations where Jesus is being insulted? How deeply does that grieve your heart?
Sanhedrin’s trial
Next, Jesus was made to stand in the midst of the Sanhedrin. Both the Pharisees and the Sadducees sought to kill Him, but their reasons were different. (1) The Pharisees, having been exposed by Jesus for their hypocrisy, were filled with jealousy and a desire for revenge. (2) The Sadducees, whose business in the temple had been disrupted, were growing increasingly anxious and feared that the privileges granted to them by Rome might be taken away. First, they sought to condemn Jesus to death according to Jewish law. They questioned, “If You are the Christ (the Messiah), tell us.” This was intended to obtain a direct confession from Him. But Jesus did not give a direct answer. This was because their understanding of the Messiah was completely different from His own. Finally, when they asked, “So You are the Son of God?” He answered, “You say correctly that I am.” That was enough for them. They believed that Jesus Himself had made a declaration of divinity, thereby proving Him guilty of a capital offense. Jesus is the One who sits at the right hand of the power of God. How foolish it is to think that one can judge Him. Are there people around you who are repeating such foolishness? Let’s pray for them as well, for Jesus loves them too.
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, please forgive the arrogance of humankind for having judged Jesus, the Messiah. Even now, there are many around us who blaspheme against You. Please have mercy on them. When I encounter such situations, give me the words and wisdom I should speak. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.