Tuesday 25th March
Read Mark 14:57-61a
“Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 ‘We heard him say, “I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.”’ 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree.
60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’ 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.” (NIVUK)
The first piece of testimony against Jesus that had a small chance of standing up to scrutiny was at least related to words Jesus had said. Even if they witnesses could agree on what Jesus actually said (v59) the reality is that it would never be enough to justify what the leaders were seeking – death. It was patently absurd unless they accepted that Jesus was who He indicated by His actionsHe was. After all, no one in their right mind would ever imagine that someone could build a temple that took 40 years to build in three days.
That is one explanation for Jesus’ silence. He simply allowed the absurdity of the accusations to collapse under their own weight.
Another explanation is that Jesus had one goal in mind. He was as determined to be condemned as they were to condemn Him. He remained silent until questions were asked to which His reply would lead to end He desired. Death’s strong bands must grasp Him if He is to throw them off for us.
