How many times did Jesus have to say it? How many times did he need to prove it? The religious leaders wanted him to say in plainly in his trial. They wanted irrefutable evidence that they could use to have him executed. On this day, they got what they wanted…
66 At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. 67 “If you are the Messiah,” they said, “tell us.”
Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, 68 and if I asked you, you would not answer. 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”
70 They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?”
He replied, “You say that I am.”
71 Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.”
Luke 22:66-71 NIV
Here’s the thing. Jesus had told them. He had been revealing himself as Messiah for three years through his teaching, signs, and wonders. The healings and raising people from the dead were proof of this authority. He forgave the sins of people in front of them, to which they replied, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mark 2:7) God. God can do it. Messiah can.
They had heard it and not received it. They had seen it and not believed it. How about you? What will you do with the life of Jesus, what he said, what he did, and how he sacrificed?
This is why Jesus answered the way he did. He told them and they didn’t believe. When he asked them questions about himself or John the Baptist, they were very careful in their answers or to not answer. They would say nothing which would lend any credence to his identity as Messiah. Jesus knew their hearts and their motives.
He also knew that he needed to go to the cross. That was his mission. So, from this place of trial after his arrest, he spoke the truth to them which would provoke their anger more. After this, the Son of Man – that Messianic title used in Daniel’s prophecy (Daniel 7) – would sit at the right hand of God. “I am the Son of Man and the Son of God. I am Messiah.” This is Jesus’ answer.
They didn’t need to hear more. That was enough to satisfy their charges against him. He was a blasphemer in their minds. Their judgment was clear. Jesus would need to die as punishment. And their punishment, carried out by Roman guards, was his sacrifice, carried out by the loving God who loved, taught, healed, and forgave the people of this world…
Amen.
Marc Kinna
marckinna 