Daily Devotions
Mark
Mark 3:22 "Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you." Mark 3:22"
Day 312 – Mark 14
“Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you.” Mark 3:22
A MOCKERY OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM
If ever the judiciary system of Israel was mocked, it was at the trial of Jesus! At the reply of Jesus, the whole Sanhedrin council erupted.
“Then the high priest tore his clothes and said,
‘What further need do we have of witnesses?
You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?’
And they condemned Him to be deserving of death.
Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him,
and to beat Him, and to say to Him, ‘Prophesy!’
And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.”
MARK 14:63-65
1. Sham righteousness
The high priest exercised an old tradition. When he heard what he deemed as blasphemous, he was to tear the very clothes he wore as a sign of solemn protest! He judged the words of Jesus as blasphemous, tore his clothes and the trial was over- just like that!
2. And they condemned him
Taking the cue from the high priest, all in the Sanhedrin council condemned Jesus as one “deserving of death”. On what basis was the condemnation uttered?
a) On the accusation of “blasphemy”?
Why then was not Jesus given the right to explain Himself? Why was He not allowed to defend Himself further?
b) No need for further witnesses?
In the first place, the witnesses were useless! Their contradictory statements would have been thrown out of court as spurious!
3. Utter abuse of authority!
The following actions describe the abuse Jesus had to endure from the Council.