PSEUDO-WITNESS

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

IF YOU LIKE THIS POST PLEASE FOLLOW US, SHARE WITH OTHERS AND PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS AND GIVE US A LIKE.

Translate this site into your preferred language, look for our Google translator in our home page: diningwithjesus.net

Traduce este sitio en tu idioma preferido, busca nuestro traductor de Google en nuestra página de inicio ve a: diningwithjesus.net

In our study of the ninth commandment (“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” Exodus 20:16), we come to a connection point with our desire to start moving our hearts toward the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In today’s devotional we are going to be reminded of an astounding example of false testimony that I pray is used by God in your life to help you commit to being a person of honesty and truthfulness. 

Read the passage below listening for the moment of deceit and paying attention to the outcome of this breaking of the ninth commandment:

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.  (Matthew 26:57-66 NIV11)

Who

In this account of Jesus’ first trial before the religious leaders, we must pay attention to the origination of this example of deception. The trial was held under the authority and auspices of the High Priest of Judaism, in his official villa, in the heart of Jerusalem. 

The High Priest and the other members of the religious council (Sanhedrin), were actively looking for people willing to act as false witnesses against Jesus of Nazareth. 

Pseudo

These people who stepped forward with their made up stories were called pseudo-witnesses (in Greek they are known as, ψευδόμαρτυς – pseudomartus). These people are the living embodiment of what it looks like to break the ninth commandment. They are knowingly, purposefully, and publicly giving false testimony against another. 

This breaking of the commandment was done purposefully by those who were going to stand before the Messiah and use these lies to claim that Jesus was in violation of a commandment. This is a shameful situation that needs to be seen for the sinful act that it really was. 

Consequences

The false testimony was used to condemn Jesus to death on the cross. I wonder if the hired liars ever considered the consequences of their stories. Perhaps they thought that telling a little lie for a few coins in their pockets would not hurt anyone. But they were made complicit in the greatest crime of human history. 

We ought to learn from these pseudo-witnesses. When we tell lies, even the so-called “little white lies,” we open the door for our words to be used by others in ways we never saw coming. 

•   Maybe we had no intention of our false story or exaggeration of ever finding its way to the person we lied about, but now we have damaged a relationship. 
•   Maybe we did not think our omission of the truth would do any damage but now someone has lost their job due to your purposeful silence.

We need to consider the implications of our words and actions. We are called to be a people of honesty and integrity, not of pseudo-truth. 

Consider Jesus

In verse 64, Jesus Christ told the truth about his true nature and identity. He could have lied and escaped trouble. He could have held back and refused to answer. Instead, he spoke the truth. 

Yes, his honesty led to abuse and persecution. But let’s be real, that was on its way no matter what Jesus said. At least he stood up for the truth and did not cower when the time to speak up came his way. 

We need to ask the Lord to work in us today to help us become people who can be trusted. Ask the Lord to make you a faithful witness, not a pseudo-witness. 

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

Get new content delivered directly to your inbox. Please Enter your email address in the box below.

• ShareCopied to clipboard

Copyright © 2024 Ryan Laden – All Rights Reserved.