Opening Thought
“I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness in the great congregation.” Lord, open our ears to hear it! (Psa 40:9)
Text: Matthew 26:59–68
Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.'” And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it that these men testify against You?” But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God that You tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! What do you think?” They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.” Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?”
Devotion
The Lord is silent before the false witnesses and with His silence atones for all the lies in the world. The Lamb of God suffers without opening His mouth. Nor was it necessary for His self-defense, for the more they tried to make Him appear guilty, the more clearly His innocence was revealed. He is and remains pure. But His death is decided, – yes, His death is decided, – now they simply had to find some reason to condemn Him. They have to destroy the temple – the temple of His body and thereby the Temple of Jerusalem, the place of sacrifice. For the animal sacrifices ceased with the death of the true Passover Lamb. They shall accomplish God’s plan and lay Jesus in the grave, so that He shall rise again and build a living Temple on the eternal rock of His divinity and His victory.
The high priest in God’s stead commands that He should testify and swear by the living God if He is the Christ, the Son of God. And now Jesus speaks and testifies and swears that He is God’s Son. He knows in what sense they are asking, namely, if He is true God, one with the Father. Such a powerful answer they would consider to be blasphemy, and He answers in that sense and takes an oath. Take note: Jesus confesses before the authorities of His people and calls God as witness that He is Christ, the Only-begotten of the Father, and equal God with Him. If He is a true teacher, then He cannot lie, least of all in this hour. But in this way we also have full certainty that He is the Son of God. He is condemned to death for this very testimony; He seals it with His blood. So the Church has a sure foundation for this confession: “I believe in Jesus Christ, His only-begotten Son, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity.” And so they tread it under their feet, for to them Christ was only a wise and good man.
The whole council clearly hears the Lord’s statement. He repeats it so that all the world shall hear it, and He is condemned because He is Son of God and Son of Man. “He is guilty of death,” the judgment sounds from God’s judges on earth, because it is so decided in heaven. God’s only-begotten Son in holy human nature became sin so that the blood of God shall take away the sin of the whole world.
Be confident, Christians! No one who denies Christ, not even an army of deniers shall destroy the testimony of the Lord Himself, which is repeated in the Church’s confession concerning His eternal deity. The Son of Man sits at the right hand of the power and rules in the midst of His enemies (Psa 110:2).
Closing Prayer
We praise You, Lord Jesus, and see Your glory, and we wait to see You coming again in the clouds with Your mighty angels, so that all the world may see that You are God. Keep us steadfast in You. Make us confident to confess You in the face of the scorn and ridicule of the wise, and to rejoice in suffering for Your name’s sake. Amen.
Hymn
If for truth’s sake they now take me,
If I’m treated scornfully,
If they still with tongues forsake me,
If they beat me mockingly,
Let me still believing see
All the scorn Thou bor’st for me
Insult, shame, and wicked mock’ry
For my everlasting glory.
Though they still with death may threaten
Heaping me with sore disgrace,
Let me see – my soul enlighten –
All the patience on Thy face,
When the judgment came on Thee,
And Thou hadst no way to flee;
So may all Thy pain and sighing
Calm me in my fear of dying.
Kingo: Længe haver Satan spundet L 320:8-9 tr. DeGarmeaux;
tune: Freu dich sehr (ELH 256); alternate hymn: Soldiers of Christ, arise ELH 520:1-2