ARE YOU THE CHRIST?

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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Today we continue on in our study of the way that Jesus Christ spoke of his own identity and nature. Today we are looking at the accusations leveled against Jesus while he was under arrest and in the house of the High Priest. In this interaction we can clearly hear that Jesus’ identity was well attested and understood as seen in the response of his accusers. 

55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.

57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, 

`I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.’ ” 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.

Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”

62 “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.”

63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 

64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65 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 14:55-65 NIV11)

Misfires

This group of accusers tried hard to manufacture some crime or fault that could be levelled at Jesus but they struck out. They were looking for something that would arouse the anger of the populace and justify murdering the most popular man in the land. 

At the end of their trial, they were left with a bag of hot air. There was just nothing in Jesus’ actions or words that could be labeled as criminal or inappropriate. Even their own lies about Jesus seemed hollow and silly and had to be ditched along the way. 

Right Question

The High Priest asked Jesus the question of, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” This is a good question. High Priest of the Jewish religion should probably already know the answer but it seems reasonable that he might ask Jesus of Nazareth about his true identity. 

As for its criminality, it is not clear how actually being the Messiah and the Son of God should be seen as a negative much less as a criminal act. When Jesus admits to being the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One, this is not a crime or a suspicious act. 

If you actually are who you claim to be, then everyone in that room should immediately fall to their knees in worship and submission. But that was not how these religious leaders saw the situation. They associated any claim to being the Messiah with a loss of power, prestige, and autonomy as they would no longer be the leaders of the people. 

Fully Understood

Jesus not only claimed the role of the Messiah in his reply, but he went further. He explained that he was more than the Promised One of Israel, he was the one who sat at the right hand of God and through whom the kingdom of God would come upon the earth. Jesus was making clear that he was the Immanuel, God with us, God in flesh appearing. 

The opponents of Jesus fully understood the significance of his statement. They accuse Jesus of blasphemy and lose their cool completely. Their reaction shows their complete understanding of Jesus’ claim. They cannot claim ignorance or some sort of misunderstanding. 

Point of Decision

The claims that Jesus makes about his true nature and identity do not leave room for equivocation. We cannot hear what Jesus claims about himself and then pretend that he was some sort of good man and good teacher. He was either who he claimed to be, the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One, or he is a blasphemer and liar. 

Nothing in Jesus’ teaching and treatment of others leads me to conclude that he was in any way disingenuous to anyone at any time. He told the truth even when it hurt him and brought him into sharp dispute. 

Jesus had nothing to gain by making his true nature known. He earned nothing good in this world by telling the truth. But he made it clear, he is now, will be, and has always been God the Son, one with God the Father and united by the Holy Spirit. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for being faithful and true. You are the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One. You are my Lord and Savior and I love you. 

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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