Deserving Death

Deserving Death

65 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!

Matthew 26:65

Jesus spoke the truth to people who knew the scriptures and the promise but he was still called a blasphemer. Similar to Job, who was also attacked by his friends even though they could never actually stick or prove any accusations against him, Jesus too was being attacked with baseless accusations. Jesus always had a biblical answer for everything they accused during his ministry. The biggest problem of course is that the Jewish leaders had becomes accustomed to the physical ‘real’ world and Jesus bringing in a spiritual and heavenly dimension was too much for them. They could neither compete with such a message and movement, not to mention that most couldn’t even fully understand it. The idea that heaven actually coming to them was not part of their religious beliefs or ideals. They were happy just leading and commanding sinful people. They enjoyed the power, money and influence that it gave them. They liked the feeling of being ‘better’ and ‘holier’ than everyone else. Jesus was putting all of that at risk.

What is most interesting is as the high priest accuses Jesus of blasphemy and going against God and His word, the man himself goes against God in his own actions. The Bible clearly says that he tore his clothes which was forbidden in the Scriptures.

10 He who is the high priest among his brethren, on whose head the anointing oil was poured and who is consecrated to wear the garments, shall not uncover his head nor tear his clothes;

Leviticus 21:10

With this, one can’t but remember the parable of Jesus- take out your own plank before trying to take the speck out of your brother. All of these leaders were breaking and going against God in so many ways and yet they could only see the apparent ‘sin’ in Jesus. And what was their response?

66 What do you think?” They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.”

Matthew 26:66

This unfortunately is the character of sinful humanity. We see the faults in others but rarely in ourselves. We decree judgement and even death for others but don’t realise that our own words condemn ourselves. Let us not be so quick to judge as the Jewish leaders. Sometimes we may be on the wrong side of God.

God bless,

Pr. Steven Couto