The Sanhedrin Tries Jesus

Today's Three-minute Bible Study
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Title: The Sanhedrin Tries Jesus
Keywords: “Sanhedrin” “trial”
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Passage: Mark 14:53-65*

53. And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes gathered together.

54. And Peter had followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers, and warming himself at the fire.

55. Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus to put Him to death; and they were not finding any.

56. For many were giving false testimony against Him, and [yet] their testimony was not consistent.

57. And some stood up and [began] to give false testimony against Him, saying,

58. "We heard Him say, 'I will destroy this temple made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.'"

59. And not even in this respect was their testimony consistent.

60. And the high priest stood up [and came] forward and questioned Jesus, saying, "Do You make no answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?"

61. But He kept silent, and made no answer. Again the high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed [One?]"

62. And Jesus said, "I am; and you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN."

63. And tearing his clothes, the high priest said, "What further need do we have of witnesses?

64. "You have heard the blasphemy; how does it seem to you?" And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.

65. And some began to spit at Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him with their fists, and to say to Him, "Prophesy!" And the officers received Him with slaps [in the face.]

Questions

1. Why was Jesus condemned to death?

 

2. Based on your understanding of legal proceedings, do you notice any irregularities with this trial?

 

3. Some remember that Jesus was very silent during his trial, yet He did speak when directly asked a particular question above. What was the question and what was the answer? Why do you think He answered this particular question?

 

Practical help

Injustice! The world is full of it! And sometimes you just want to kick the dog, tell someone to go somewhere very warm or click on a few websites and just escape. If Jesus couldn’t get a fair trial, what makes you think you will? If people will treat the Son of God like this, what chance do you have?

Ah, but wait a moment. Perhaps we are missing the point. Was Jesus helpless at His trial above? Not if His plan was to go to the cross and die for your sins and mine. If He was following His Father’s will, as He agreed to do in the garden earlier that evening, then no matter how terrible it looks, no matter how sinful man behaves, God will have His way. In the midst of the mockery of this trial, God was not blown over. He knew exactly what was going on and why.

So Friend, even though you life looks _________________ (fill in the blank), this isn’t the ultimate reality. This reminds me of another story. This one is found in Matthew 19, verses 23-26.

23. And Jesus said to His disciples, "Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
24. "And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
25. And when the disciples heard [this,] they were very astonished and said, "Then who can be saved?"
26. And looking upon [them] Jesus said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Cheer up, put away sinful lusts and face your day. If God is for you, who can be against you? (Romans 8:31)
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*"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."