Bible Study Lesson: Matthew 26:57-68
The Book of Matthew tells us how Caiaphas questions Jesus after He is betrayed by Judas. As in the past, Jesus was once again questioned by the religious leaders in an attempt to trick him.
They never succeeded.
But this time was different. Christ knew he had to go to the cross to die. So continues the Easter story.
Below is the outcome of the questioning.
Caiaphas, the High Priest, Questions Jesus
Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together.
But Peter was following Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the officers to see the outcome.
Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death.
They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward, and said, “This man stated, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.’”
The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?”
But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.”
Jesus *said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses?
Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!”
Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, and said, “Prophesy to us, You Christ; who is the one who hit You?” – Matthew 26:57-68 NASB
What Did Jesus Really Say about the Temple?
Did Jesus say He would destroy the temple as the witnesses boasted?
No. He said “destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days.” This statement was an allusion to Christ’s own death which was to come as His mortal body was destroyed and He rose on the third day.
But, the final straw was drawn in the statement;
“You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.”
The high priests knew exactly what He meant with these words.
Jesus was proclaiming to be the Messiah even though His stating the fact meant certain death. Christ was not there to defend Himself but to fulfill His destiny.
What was the Destiny of Christ?
Jesus’ destiny was to suffer and die on the cross, take on the sins of mankind and to rise again so that our sins could be forgiven and forgotten.
The Real Motivation?
Those religious leaders never stopped to consider whether or not Jesus spoke the truth. They were too busy thinking about the money and power He was taking away from them by gathering followers.
The Unpardonable Sin
As we discussed in other lessons, the only unpardonable sin is the one of rejecting God.
The leaders chose to do just that; rejecting Christ thus sealing their fate.
How about us? How will our decision today affect the rest of our lives and our souls in the eternal timeline?
Christ Died So That We Might Live
The hope and good news for us is that, all we have to do is believe and to ask forgiveness. The only thing that can stop us from receiving everlasting life is our own pride.
Let’s humble ourselves before God so He can give us the gift He promised.
Love in Christ
– Bob
If you would like to learn more about how to receive the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to go here.
Read Today’s Easter Verses Here:
NASB
NKJV