Matthew 26:57-68
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
As we continue our journey to the cross with Jesus, read Matthew 26:57-68 imagining you are present in the room.
The number of Jewish laws broken by the religious authorities this night are too many to list, but among the blatant offenses committed by the very ones appointed to uphold the law are: a trial carried out in a private residence instead of a public venue, a trial after dark, the recruitment of false witnesses (an offense punishable by death according to Jewish law), and a guilty verdict rendered on the spot without the required period of reflection.
This is not the first illegal inquiry that Jesus faces that night either. According to John, Jesus is first taken to the home of Annas, the former high priest of Israel, who questions Jesus about this teaching and then, against Jewish law, demands that Jesus defend himself. Clearly the religious leaders are blinded by their hatred for Jesus and willing to do whatever they need to destroy him - even to the extent that they will brazenly break the very laws they claim to believe to be ordained by God.
What we see here is a pattern that runs through broken humanity. A seed of hatred is sown when we begin creating our own narrative about someone who has triggered us in some way. It grows as we rehearse the narrative repeatedly and then find others to share in our angst. Unchecked, our narratives eventually blind us to the humanity of another person and can lead us to justify the violation of our own values in an attempt to “punish” the person.
Stop to consider whether you have ever felt dehumanized by another person or people because of their narrative about you. Share your thoughts and feelings about this with Jesus.
Now consider whether you have ever cultivated a narrative that may have blinded you to someone else’s full humanity.
Read Matthew 26:57-68 again paying attention to the escalation that ends in out and out violence.
Violence doesn’t erupt in a momentary unchecked outburst. It is cultivated in the heart and mind and eventually manifests outward in ways that defy reason or morality.
For the remainder of this time of meditation, consider asking the Holy Spirit of Jesus to search your heart and mind for the seeds of violence. As thoughts come, share them openly and honestly with Jesus asking for his guidance. Continue with this for as long as you need.
Is there anything specific that you sense Jesus saying to you or asking you to do?
How will you respond to him?
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