Key Verse: Again the high priest questioned him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus, “and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14:61b-62 CSB)
Following His arrest, Jesus was taken to stand trial before the Sanhedrin. Led by the high priest, this group of seventy-one religious officials including the chief priests, elders and scribes, had assembled with one goal in mind. They were “looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death” (v.55).
In an effort to find a way to condemn Jesus, the officials brought forward different people to provide false testimony against Him. But it was ineffective, as their testimonies did not agree. In the meantime, Jesus stood in silence, offering no response as they conducted this kangaroo court against Him.
Finally, the high priest stood up and asked Jesus, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” (v.61). Rather than using the personal name of God, which the Jews believed they should not do, the high priest referred to God as “the Blessed One.” He wanted to know if Jesus was claiming to be the Son of God.
Why was this such a big deal? According to the Apostle John, this was one of the primary reasons for the hostility of the religious leaders toward Jesus. “This is why the Jews began trying all the more to kill him,” John wrote, “he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal to God” (John 5:18). To claim to be the Son of God was to claim to be God.
This was the moment of truth for Jesus. It was time to show His cards. Is Jesus the Son of God? “I am,” Jesus said, “and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven” (v.62). At that, the high priest tore his garments and declared that Jesus was committing blasphemy against God. In his mind, this statement alone was enough to condemn Jesus. He deserved death.
Timothy Keller wrote this about the claims of Jesus: “If he is who he says he is, then you have to center your whole life on him. And if he is not who he said he is, then he is someone to hate or run away from. But no other response makes any sense. Either he is God or he isn’t – so he’s absolutely crazy or infinitely wonderful.”
This is why the work of Jesus Christ on the cross is so amazing and why Easter is so special to those who are in Christ. Jesus was not merely a man condemned to death. He is God Himself in the flesh who came to rescue and redeem humanity by shedding His own blood on our behalf. Like the high priest and other religious officials, we can choose to reject Him and move on with our lives. Or we can embrace the awesome truth of who He truly is and all that He has done, and fully surrender our lives to Him in faith.
Reflect today on the reality that God Himself went to the cross for you. Allow that infinitely wonderful truth to flood your heart with gratitude and joy as you remember what Jesus has done for you.
Prayer: Jesus, I declare today that you are God. I am overwhelmed that as God you humbled yourself to the point of dying on a cross for me. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for your amazing love. Fill me with fresh awe and wonder at all that you’ve done. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
