“At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. 67 “If you are the Messiah,” they said, “tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me,68 and if I asked you, you would not answer. 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” 70 They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.” Luke 22.66-71
Imagine the night Jesus endured. He was sent to a cell, I am assuming, by himself, knowing that Peter and all his disciples had run away. Judas betrayed him. He was imprisoned, unwilling to free himself and disrupt God’s plan for his life. He knew what was coming: false accusations, punishment, sentencing, and death. As one willing to die, the best thing Jesus could do was proclaim the truth until his death.
Jesus knew what he did and said would be recorded, and two thousand years later I would be reading this account. He knew the accounts in all four Gospels would draw people to himself. He knew that because of his testimony, his death, sacrifice, and resurrection three days later, people could be redeemed. No longer would an animal’s blood be required for redemption—now it would be his blood for eternity.
And so morning came. Did he sleep on the floor? In a cell with a dirt or stone floor? When the council of elders, chief priests, and teachers of the law showed up, would they be well fed, well rested, and ready to accuse? While Jesus most likely prayed through the night, and perhaps was ministered to by more angels, he was already entering his hour of darkness.
“Are you the Messiah?” they asked. “Are you the Son of God?” Jesus did not give them a straight answer, but neither did he deny the titles. How could he? He was both Messiah and Son of God. For him to deny this would be to bear false testimony, and Jesus always told the truth.
The accusers were winning, or they thought they were. The wheels for Jesus’ crucifixion were turning; the plan was in motion. Evil was prevailing, and the Son of God was the willing scapegoat. He who had no sin would bear the sin of all humanity. God would count his sacrifice as worthy for our atonement.
It’s a hard story to read. But I am grateful for a God who became one of us, who died to save us, who loved the world enough to give his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him will have everlasting life.
“O Lord God, you are good. Thank you for loving the world. Thank you for your grace and for dying to save us. I love you, Lord, and praise your name. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen