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.
Finally two came forward and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.'”
Matthew 26:59-61
It’s an ironic scene: Here is the Sandhedrin, trying their hardest to lie Jesus into execution. But when the deed is finally accomplished it is not a lie that has caught Jesus but the truth. “The truth shall set you free” He tells the disciples but that same truth was the final stroke on His warrant of execution.
The trial is a joke; its unjust end was determined before it even began. But that was a plan that existed within another plan. It was as God ordained it should be. Jesus was selected out for this trial, this mission, this life on earth before the first day dawned (Co. 1:15-20).
What was the overarching concern of Jesus, not only through His whole life, but especially in His final hours? Was it to have His rights? To be respected? To receive justice?
Or was it something greater, something beyond Himself? It was that He might win an eternal inheritance for all those who place their faith in Him. Those people would still be the objects of injustice, perhaps more so because of following Him. Disrespected and disposed of their rights, they would be worse off in some ways for having charted their course by His star.
And yet we do. And we have life.
What are you doing with that life? Are you clinging onto it, hoping for the recognition Jesus never got? Or are you following Him?
Lord, it is so easy to get distracted. Keep me on point.
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