Jesus before the Council: Mark 14:53-72
Imaginative Contemplation
Jesus was taken to the Jewish court where he was questioned harshly. He did not respond. But when put on oath, Jesus confirmed his identity as the Christ. How did the elders react? Did they feel relieved?
Why was Peter in the courtyard? Why was he afraid?
What was the difference between Peter and Judas after they had both let Jesus down?
Enter into the scene
While Judas was leading the guards to meet Jesus, the elders were gathering the influential rulers at the house of the High Priest. They were still organising the witnesses when Jesus, tightly bound and stumbling, was pushed through the door. His enemies whispered, ‘At last we have him! He won’t escape this time!’
They made Jesus stand in front of them all as they called person after person forward to accuse him of breaking the Law. But none of their evidence stood scrutiny, and arguments were becoming more violent. The last accusation involved the Temple. Jesus refused to comment. But now that the spotlight was on religious matters, the High Priest put Jesus on oath to answer the question. ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed God?’ ‘I AM!’ answered Jesus. The High Priest was greatly relieved. Triumphantly he tore his garments and turned to the assembled elders and said, ‘We don’t need any more witnesses! You heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?’ They all voted against him. He was guilty and should be put to death.’
The people rose against Jesus, degrading him and treating him in a contemptuous way.
While all of this was happening, Peter, following at a distance, was deeply distressed as the negative attitude grew more violent. It seemed that Jesus couldn’t save himself, and Peter was in danger. Full of fear, he tried to escape the scrutiny of the staff in the court-yard, moving further away as the questioning became more aggressive. Trying to hide or flee, Peter was terrified, denying any connection to this Jesus who had just been condemned to death. Then the rooster crowed …. a second time! Peter remembered how Jesus had warned him that all this would take place. He was devastated, and, sobbing, fled the house.
For further reflection
Discuss with Jesus the following points:
How do I feel when I am judged unfairly?
Do I judge others without hearing the whole story?
When I am accused of something I have done or failed to do, am I able to see where there is need for me to change my behaviour?
When someone is accused of wrong-doing, do I still respect them as a fellow human being?
Am I prepared to stand by people when they are treated unfairly by others?
Can I witness to Jesus even when things are difficult?
Prayer
Lord, help me to value each person as a loved child of God.
‘There is so much good in the worst of us,
And so much bad in the best of us
That it ill-behoves any of us
To speak ill of the rest of us.’ Amen.