Before the Sanhedrin

Before the Sanhedrin

The night was cold and the air seemed to be really icy.  The sky was clear and the moon shone brightly.  The High Priests and Chief Priests and elders with the congregation of men were sitting plotting against Jesus.  Judas had said, he would point them in the right direction; he would kiss Jesus in greeting. They could arrest him and do with him as they pleased.

Jesus was still in conversation with one of the disciples when the crowd and Judas walked through the gates toward him.  Jesus looked at Judas as he walked up to him and greeted ‘Rabbi’ moving closer kissing Jesus on the cheek.  The men rushed Jesus with swords and clubs wanting to grab him.  In the rush one of the men with Jesus drew his sword and cut of the ear of one of the servants of the High Priest.  

Jesus said ‘am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs to capture me?  Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me.  But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.’  

 With that the disciples fled and left Jesus standing all alone.

Judas was in control of the situation and spoke to the crowd ‘Come let’s take Jesus to the High Priest and the Chief Priests they are waiting for him.’  Leading the way back to the meeting place with the crowd in hot pursuits they entered the meeting place.  The High Priest was sitting near the fire warming himself and speaking to one of the Chief Priests as Jesus and the crowd entered the meeting place. 

Pushing Jesus toward the High Priest and Chief Priests really satisfied with themselves they stood and waited for the action.  Calling forward a number of witnesses who testified falsely against Jesus and still trying to build their case against the Lord.  The one statement after the other was false and they didn’t even coincide with each other.  Statements like ‘We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days  I will build another, not made by man.’  Even then their statements didn’t agree.

Standing to his feet the High Priest walked over to Jesus and asked ‘Are you not going to answer?  What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’  

Jesus looked at him and said nothing.

The High Priest still standing in front of the Lord Jesus asked him ‘Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?’

Jesus answered him ‘I am, and you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’

Tearing his clothes the High Priest looked at the gathering saying ‘why do we need any more witnesses?  You have heard the blasphemy.  What do you think?’

In one voice they all condemned him as worthy of death.  With that some of them walked over and spat on the Lord Jesus.  Blinding folding Jesus the struck him with their fits and said ‘Prophesy!’

Dragging Jesus off the guards beat him.  (Mark 14: 53 – 65)