I don’t know about you, but when I think of being arrested (and thankfully I have never been), I think of being thrown into a stinky jail cell with a filthy toilet and a torn up mattress for a bed. However, Jesus’ experience is not like what you see on TV at all. He was taken to the high priest, Caiaphas. After all, it wasn’t the authorities who wanted him dead, it was the religious leaders who feared his power.
So, Jesus’ arrest and arraignment would be handled by religious leaders. It’s really quite laughable when you apply the scenario to what we know of the legal system today (at least in the U.S. –it’s what I’m familiar with after having been a paralegal for 30+ years). Yet, God’s plan is playing out beautifully.
Can’t you just sense the hostility laden fear in the religious leaders? They are not playing nice. It really gives you an interesting take on what a religious leader of the time looked like. They would like to think they were pious and God-fearing. Here, they appear ruthless, driven by selfish motives. What about Jesus? How is he holding up?
Jesus is not fighting them. He didn’t go kicking and screaming. He appears to be calm and reflective. He is letting them make fools of themselves. Really. Trying to get witnesses to speak out against him so he can be “officially” arrested. Pathetic. Then, it gets worse, they begin jeering Jesus into admitting he is indeed the Messiah, the Son of God.
Didn’t you love Jesus’ response? He simply agreed with them without saying the words. They had, after all. And, to fulfill the prophecy of Daniel, Jesus adds, “And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” That was all it took. The religious leaders snapped. They were aghast at the blasphemy. At last, they had something to charge Jesus with. But that wasn’t a law of man, that was a law of God. Certainly not a death penalty charge on earth.
But it’s only blasphemy when you’re not God. Jesus is God. Those poor misguided religious leaders. They couldn’t see what was right before their eyes. They had blinders on. These blinders were from the evil one and allowed by God so Jesus could complete his assignment. Jesus could never have become sin and died to save the world if these religious leaders had been his biggest fans. Think about it.
Every time I read about how Jesus was treated, I take it personally. It was for me (and for you). Every jeer, every blow– Jesus took it for me. It gives you a whole new perspective for the phrase, “take one for the team.” Jesus clearly acted willingly, making a sacrifice for the benefit of others. We are on Jesus’ team. He did this for us.
How do you respond to his sacrifice?
Let’s pray. Lord, I am overcome with emotion at what you have done for me. I know I’m but one tiny speck in the scheme of things, yet you cared for me. I feel unworthy at times of such a great gift. The love and compassion you poured out for us goes beyond our comprehension. Saying thank you only brushes the surface of the gratitude I feel knowing you have sacrificed your life so that we can be together in eternity. Help me to stay on the path you have designed for me. May I be a light to others looking for the same. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
