Jesus is brought before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin where the chief priests, elders and council sought false witness against Jesus but found none.   Then came two false witnesses accusing Jesus of saying "I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days" (v61).  In fact Jesus said “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days” (John 2:19). Jesus was not talking about the temple building but was referring to His body and His death, and resurrection three days later. 

Jesus remained silent and the high priest asked Jesus: "Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God" (v63). 

Jesus was calm and certain, "It is as you said…hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven"(v64).

To the high priest this claim was blasphemy and he tore his clothes. The council went on to spit in Jesus' face, beating and striking Him with the palms of their hands. 

It is a stark reminder of all that Jesus went through for us.  He endured the horrific pain of the crucifixion, the pain and suffering of the trials which preceded it, and the knowledge of what lay before Him. For that we can only be grateful and mindful of the life we are now set free to live.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”  (Galatians 2:20)

Andrew & Karen Sim