 Thursday: Challenge of Priests
And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high
priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
Matthew 26:57
Jesus was no stranger to the temple or to the priests. He had relatives at
the temple. Recall that when Gabriel first told Mary that her child would
be the Son of the Most High, he also told her that her relative Elizabeth
would bear a son, John the Baptist. Elizabeth's husband Zechariah was a priest
at the temple.
Caiaphas, the high priest, was not a new comer to the scene, either. He had
been appointed by the Roman governor more than a decade before the time of
Jesus' arrest. His wife was the daughter of the man who had been high priest
before him. He was the leader of Jewish worship and custom, and he was a
government insider. He was an integral and influential member in the social
and political fabric of Jerusalem.
Jesus and the disciples were in Jerusalem for the Passover. The meal at the
Last Supper was a part of their Passover observance. During this holy religious
season Caiaphas launched his plan. He sent armed people to take Jesus into
custody, and he assembled the scribes and the elders to conduct a trial.
It was a peculiar situation, and Jesus pointed it out. "Have you come out
as against a thief with swords and staves to take me? I sat daily with you
teaching in the temple, and you laid no hold on me."
When Jesus was taken to Caiaphas, the challenge came to a head. This was
nothing like Nicodemus who asked honest questions to learn about Jesus. It
was unlike the sneaky questions about taxes that were raised in an effort
to trick and discredit Jesus. This was an openly hostile confrontation. The
objective was clear. Jesus' life was at stake.
The Gospel record of the questioning is brief. The testimony of witnesses
could not convict Jesus of anything. Their stories were so inconsistent that
none could be believed. Rather than dismissing the matter and releasing Jesus,
Caiaphas asked Jesus if He was the Messiah. Jesus answered. Caiaphas believed
he had won. He demanded Jesus' death. Jesus knew better. He offered His life.
As our path draws close to the terrible and wonderful cross, remember that
Jesus faced unfair challenges. He knew the people and the politics of religion.
But He faced them with confidence. He faced them with truth. He answered
His call so that we can know grace. Whatever challenges we might face, Jesus
is our example. No matter the cost, our calling is clear. Share the grace.
Eternal God, thank you for sending Jesus to be my High Priest. Thank you
for letting me know Him. Thank you for letting me know You. Thank you for
your courage and your honesty, your love and your grace. Give me the courage
to share your love. Give me the desire to share your grace. In the name of
your holy son, Jesus, the Messiah. Amen.
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