Friday 12 October, 2018

57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. 59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” 62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” 64 “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.” 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered. 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”

This passage shows us the amazing forbearance towards sin that God has, and the staggering riches of His mercy. God, in total perfection, came to earth, lived among men and women, and this was their reply to God. They spat in Jesus’ face! Through this Jesus continued to maintain His composure. Why? Because Jesus had prepared Himself in the garden and He was fully ready to suffer at the hands of sinners in order to pay the penalty for sin. This is the great love of God for us. Nothing can separate us from God, not even the rejection, terrible injustice and death that Jesus endured. God loves us so much that nothing on this earth can separate us from His act of grace.

We praise you Jesus for your victory over sin and injustice and ask for forgiveness when we sin or act unjustly. We thank you for your patience with us and your continuing overflowing of grace in our lives. Amen

Written by Meredith O’Neill