JESUS AFFIRMS THE TRUTH
JESUS AFFIRMS THE TRUTH
Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, 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. —Mark 14:62-65
Why did the Jews accuse Jesus of blasphemy? It was because of His answer to the high priest when he asked, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” When Jesus answered in the affirmative “the high priest tore his clothes.” Why did he tear his clothes? He was so outraged that Jesus not only affirmed that He was the Messiah, but more so that He affirmed that He was the “Son of the Blessed One.” Matthew 26:63 the high priest said, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” In Luke 22:70 the question is “Are you the Son of God.” Jesus not only affirms that this is the case but he also said to them, “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” —Matthew 26:64
People can deny all that want the reality of Who Jesus is, but the reality does not change! Jewish leaders should have known and embraced Jesus if they truly knew God’s Word, but they did not and they condemned Him to death. All of this was not happenstance, but in the plan of God. His beating by His own creation was in the plan of God. His crucifixion was in the plan of God. His death was in the plan of God. His resurrection was in the plan of God. Yes, “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (I John 2:2). Yes “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:8-11).
So sure, people can deny the reality of Who Jesus is, but that will not keep them from bowing the knee one day to Him and acknowledging “that Jesus Christ is Lord.” They will do so. Oh, may many bow the knee not to Him as Savior and not later have to bow to Him as Judge.
Dear Father please help me to get this message out that others may bow to Him now. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. So be it!