What further testimony do we need? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.

Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him. And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, "Prophesy! Who is the one who struck You?" And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him.

As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying, "If You are the Christ, tell us." But He said to them, "If I tell you, you will by no means believe. And if I also ask you, you will by no means answer Me or let me go. Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God." Then they all said, "Are you then the Son of God?" So He said, to them, "You rightly say that I am." And they said, "What further testimony do we need? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth."

- Luke 22:63-71

In yesterday's reading, Jesus was arrested and brought to the chief priest's house. Peter followed at a distance, and sat near a fire in the courtyard where they all were gathered. Three times he was recognized as one of Jesus' followers, and three times he denied it, each time more strongly than the previous. Then, a rooster crowed -- and Jesus gave him a glance. Peter recalled Jesus' prediction, that he would deny Him three times before the cock crowed. He went out and wept bitterly. See This is your hour, and the power of darkness.

Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him. And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, "Prophesy! Who is the one who struck You?" And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him. I think it's very important that we understand the contempt of those who cannot see nor believe in something that is very powerful. The misunderstanding brings out contempt -- and there is something to do with truth that others may not want to see nor know about themselves. The mockery they make of Jesus is not only cruel, but a display of true ignorance.

As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying, "If You are the Christ, tell us." But He said to them, "If I tell you, you will by no means believe. And if I also ask you, you will by no means answer Me or let me go. Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God." The Council's official sessions could only legally meet in daylight. I think the most important thing to note here is once again (in keeping with the section above) how belief -- or disbelief -- works. Jesus states it very plainly: if He tells them His truth, they "will by no means believe." And He points out another important point: He's not free to ask them any questions. This is not a true tribunal, a fair and equitable court, where He is also free to question His accusers. There isn't really a search for truth going on here, but really in some sense, a deliberate ignorance. Instead, He steadfastly sets His face toward the place He's going, to the right hand of the power of God. In fact, He spoke similar words at the Last Supper: that He would not drink nor eat again until He is in the kingdom, and the passover is fulfilled. See This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me. My study bible points out that to "sit on the right hand of the power of God" signifies Christ's equality with God the Father.

Then they all said, "Are you then the Son of God?" So He said, to them, "You rightly say that I am." And they said, "What further testimony do we need? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth." It is enough to convict Him of blasphemy. They need no further testimony for their aim, their goal. His confession becomes something to use for condemnation. In an upside-down time, an hour of darkness, ignorance becomes truth and truth becomes worthy of contempt and condemnation. It's a time when a tribunal is a scene where truth is merely swept away with the deliberate action of a mob that wishes only to vilify. Everything is fixed, for a prearranged conclusion. No witnesses are necessary -- no questions can be asked.

This scene is not the first in history, nor indeed has it ever been the last, in which truth is greeted with contempt and hatred. There's really no other way to put it, except to see things as they are here as an example of what is wrong with our world. We can look for those times in our own midst, and our own times of history, and seek to understand them. Truth isn't just a spiritual or religious concept -- but rather because it is ultimately of the Father, it is something which we hold dear in all its forms, as a value innate to itself, so precious that we live or die by it. As Christians, we recall that we seek to worship and serve Logos, the Person who is Truth. A respect for truth must be enshrined in all our values and moral systems. Note, this does not mean a partial truth, nor a twisted truth, but our understanding of truth must also include the values of justice and mercy - and the possibility of more beyond what we can see. Jesus very clearly points out the flawed justice and flawed court proceeding He is entangled in -- so much so, that His statement of truth is only a means for condemnation. When we enter into upside-down times, you may find yourself also in such a situation. We recall His words to His followers: persecution can become a time for witnessing, for testimony. And He taught that the Spirit will give us the words to use. Hold fast to prayer and remember such times -- and what power you need to get through them the right way. Hold fast to the weapons of prayer and faith for what may truly be a much deeper battle than what you can see before you alone.