DAY 6 – THE TRIALS OF JESUS
READ:
MARK 14:53-65
When others throw allegations at us, our natural human tendency is to be defensive. We want to prove our innocence. But Jesus refused to answer all the allegations during His trial. It was not until the high priest, Caiaphas (Matthew 26:57, 63–64), asked if He was the Messiah that He finally broke His silence and answered in the affirmative.
Jesus paid a high price for His honesty. Caiaphas equated Jesus’ answer with blasphemy, a charge that deserved the death penalty, which the Jewish court would pronounce the following day. For speaking the truth, Jesus was tortured before being delivered to the Roman authorities (Mark 14:65).
Caiaphas resurfaced in Acts 4:1–22, after Peter and John healed a crippled man. Together with other elders and teachers of the law, he warned the disciples not to speak about Jesus. However, Peter and John boldly stood their ground and challenged the council of elders, saying: “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (vv. 19–20). They continued to proclaim the name of Jesus without fear.
What about us? When a situation calls for us to stand on the side of the truth, what is our response? Are we quick to defend ourselves and our reputation, but tend to remain silent in defending the name and the glory of God in our pluralistic world today? May we learn to be like Peter and John, who boldly testified about Jesus even in the most hostile circumstances.
REFLECTION
- Why do you think Jesus remained silent during His trial, and spoke only when He was asked about His messianic identity?
- During the trial of Jesus, Peter denied Jesus three times. However, when he and John were tried before the same high priest who sentenced Jesus to death, he was bold and courageous. What could have contributed to this significant change? What stops you from being like Peter?
PRAYER
Our Lord Jesus, You remained true to Your calling as the Messiah during Your trials. Help us to set aside everything that weighs us down and the sins that entangle us. May we fix our eyes on You as we run with perseverance and finish this race that You have marked out for us. In Your name, amen.
