Mark 14:53-65  "And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes gathered together." 

This picture.. this scene that Mark brings us to in this great story.. is more than we can handle in some ways.  The words on the page are not able to convey the tension, the hatred, the anger, or the sorrow in that room. The men who called themselves the authority.. the righteous.. the worthy ones.. convened an unlawful trial.. trying to use the Law to condemn the Law-giver to death. 

They tried to "obtain testimony against Jesus.. "  The Law required 2-3 witnesses ( Deuteronomy 17:6) in order to put someone to death.  It also required the "hand of the witnesses" to be the first to put him to death.  The problem that the priests had was.. "they were not finding any."   There were false witnesses.. but even those were" not consistent." Finally, the high priest stood up and questioned Jesus himself. 

"Are You the Christ , the Son of the Blessed One?"  This question, Jesus answered.. this is His confession, "I am; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."  

Jesus was telling the religious leaders that He was the fulfillment of Daniel's vision.

 

"I kept looking in the night visions, 

And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, 

and He came up the the Ancient of Days

 And was presented before Him.

And to Him was given dominion, 

Glory and a kingdom.

That all the peoples, nations, and men of every language

Might serve Him.

His dominion is and everlasting dominion

Which will not pass away;

And His kingdom is one

Which will not be destroyed."

(Daniel 7:13-14)

The high priest  tore his clothes.. called Jesus a blasphemer.. and they condemned Him to death.  "And some began to spit at Him and to blindfold Him and to beat Him with their fists, and to say to Him, 'Prophesy!'  And the officers received Him with slaps in the face." 

Father,  Jesus chose to drink the cup meant for us.. He spoke Truth.. He received punishment.. We cannot comprehend how anyone could do what these men did to Jesus.  How could they falsely accuse Him, lie about Him, reject Him.. reject You?   Help us to look upon our Savior and know the depth of His love for us.. His perfect love for You. My heart if full of love for this Beautiful Savior.. thank You for opening my eyes to see Him more clearly... to love Him more dearly.. Keep me near to Your heart, o God. amen.