Deadly Words

Matt 26:63b,64 "'I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!' Jesus said to him, 'It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of The Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.'"

 

These were deadly words…and Jesus knew it. Judas betrayed Him, Jesus was arrested, his guys ran away and Jesus was taken to a kangaroo court before Caiaphas the high priest and the scribes and elders. Here Jesus was, standing before the high priest, who was basically cross examining Him in front of all these guys. Caiaphas was smart. He knew the key question to ask. If this guy was faking it and really was not the Christ, the Messiah, Caiaphas was giving Him an out. All Jesus had to say at this point was: "Guys, it's been a nice run. I have enjoyed mixing it up with you…but you are right. I am not who these people think I am. I am just a very charismatic leader who attracted a following to challenge your authority." If Jesus would have said this, He may have been given a slap on the wrist and sent home. After all, his guys had already abandoned Him. He didn't have to prove anything else. The fun was over. Now let's get back to real life.

 

On the flip side, if He said: "It is as you said." then He was doomed. This was His death sentence. If it was not true it would be considered total blasphemy and He would be stoned to death. Jesus knew the stakes. He knew the danger in His response. If He were just a liar this was the time to come clean. But if He was Lord and if He was the Christ, the Son of God, then He was in trouble. What did Jesus do? He said: "It is as you said." But He didn't leave it at that. He kind of put an exclamation point on the statement by saying: "Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." It was unmistakable. It was clear. There was no doubt. Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah, the Son of God. He was throwing back at the high priest and those around him Ps 110:1 and Daniel 7:13,14. The Daniel passage is really pointed: "I was watching in the night visions. And behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed." Any questions? The sentence was immediate. "He is deserving of death."

 

I have been told that Jesus never claimed to be the Son of God. Apparently those say this have not read the Bible. Jesus claimed to be the Messiah, the Son of God, the risen Christ, God the Son, and He is sitting at the right hand of the Father right now waiting to come again. Right now, I need to worship Him. My life needs to glorify Him in all that I do…as I watch…as I get ready.