Luke 22:63-71
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on 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.
Read Luke 22:63-71 noting anything that stands out as you read.
Luke’s account omits two illegal nighttime interrogations of Jesus - first at the home of Annas, the ex-high priest, and then at the home of Caiaphas, the sitting high priest. The beating Luke describes occurs after a hastily convened Sanhedrin gathers in violation of several Jewish laws in these private homes rather than in the prescribed place of meeting (John 18:12-14, Matthew 26:57-68). It is very likely that the “guards” Luke mentions are actually rabbis as the Sanhedrin was made up of 23 rabbis who acted as a court of inquiry for violations of Jewish law.
Stop to let this sink in. The people charged with upholding God’s law and guiding God’s people toward righteousness and justice are so desperate to destroy Jesus that they act in violation of a laundry list of their own laws. But even in the face of this absurd injustice, Jesus does not return violence for violence. He endures the hypocrisy, the beating, the mocking, and the insults without retaliation.
Take a moment to notice what you are thinking and feeling. Share your raw thoughts and emotions with Jesus without editing anything.
Read Luke 22:63-71 again.
The daytime trial is necessary because the nighttime inquests were not legitimate and could not be used to convict Jesus. But here during Passover (another violation of Jewish law), the full Sanhedrin begins their “official” interrogation. They have only one question – the same question they asked Jesus in the night (Matthew 26:63).
Take some time to prayerfully meditate on the two dialogues below and notice the polar-opposite responses to Jesus.
“’Tell us, are you the Messiah?’
But he replied, ‘If I tell you, you won’t believe me. And if I ask you a question, you won’t answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated in the place of power at God’s right hand.’
They all shouted, ‘So, are you claiming to be the Son of God?’
And he replied, ‘You say that I am.’” – Luke 22:67-70
“‘Who do people say I am?’
‘Well,’ [his disciples] replied, ‘some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other ancient prophets risen from the dead.’
Then he asked them, ‘But who do you say I am?’
Peter replied, ‘You are the Messiah sent from God!’” – Matthew 9:18-20
Now get quiet and imagine Jesus asking you this question: “But who do you say I am?”
What might Jesus want you to notice or do today?
What will you do about that?
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