PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 14:53-59
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death.” (Mark 14:55)
Am I seeking the truth, or am I seeking to prove what I already believe?
Some might say that christians want to believe, and look for evidence to back them up.
That is no doubt true, but no less true for those that don’t want to believe.
It seems to me that all people are guilty of this in some way.
The religious leaders wanted to put Jesus to death.
I want to experience Jesus as real, and his message as true.
Others don’t want a God to interfere with their lives.
The deepest part of us is our wants and desires, this is what drives us.
So the real question is, what are we looking for, and is it worth finding?
Personally, I am looking for evidence that Jesus and his kingdom are real.
Not just selfishly for me and my comfort, but for the whole world.
Why do you believe what you believe, and is what you want to believe actually good?
These religious leaders should have been wanting God’s kingdom too.
Their looking for evidence to kill Jesus reveals the true nature of their wants.
PRAYER
Lord, you represent what I want for everyone… love, joy peace! Please show me more evidence that these things, and you, are real!
Lord help me not twist the truth for my purposes, help me keep to your truths even when it calls for sacrifice.
This is what false testimony is – not simply spinning lies but twisting the truth for ulterior purposes. We see here the false witnesses not just lying that Jesus said he would destroy the temple and raise it himself, but twisting what Mark 13:2 and Matt 24:2 quote Jesus saying about the buildings not lasting and being destroyed and what John 2:19 quotes Jesus’ response to the Jews in Jerusalem asking him from where he gets his authority.
He knew that his words would be twisted against him and still taught, and then died for those same people. Perhaps this is why later in John 2:24,25 it is written, “But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew them all. He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.”
Seeking the truth.
Having it their own way since their eyes were blinded – caught up in their own power and doing all to stay in that power. Self service.
Open my eyes Lord that I continue to walk in Your way and that others may see You in me in all I do and say.
Have thine own way, Lord!
Have thine own way!
Hold o’er my being
absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit
till all shall see
Christ only, always,
living in me!