Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?

 

 Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate.  Then Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?"  He answered and said to him, "It is as you say."  And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing.  Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, "Do You answer nothing?  See how many things they testify against You!"  But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled. 

 

Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested.  And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion.  Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them.  But Pilate answered them, saying, "Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?"  For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.  But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them.  

 

- Mark 15:1–11 

 

Yesterday we read that, as Peter was below in the courtyard of the high priest, while Jesus was on trial inside the home, one of the servant girls of the high priest came.  And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, "You also were with Jesus of Nazareth."  But he denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand what you are saying."  And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed.  And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, "This is one of them."  But he denied it again.  And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, "Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it."  Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this Man of whom you speak!"  A second time the rooster crowed.  Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times."  And when he thought about it, he wept.

 

 Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate.  My study Bible tells us that while the Jewish religious law dictated the death penalty for blasphemers (Leviticus 24:16), of which the chief priests have convicted Jesus in an illegal night trial, under Roman occupation the Jews were prohibited form carrying out an execution.  So therefore, they must get a sentence issued by Pilate, the Roman governor.  

 

 Then Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?"  He answered and said to him, "It is as you say."  Pilate's question comes from the political charges that have been made against Jesus.  Pilate would not execute a person over religious matters, so therefore the chief priests have come up with a political crime that would guarantee the death penalty.  They accused Jesus of making Himself an earthly king, which would be treason against Caesar (see John 19:7-12).  

 

 And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing.  Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, "Do You answer nothing?  See how many things they testify against You!"  But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.  My study Bible says that Christ's silence (He answered nothing) fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 53:7, in which the Messiah is portrayed as silent while He is led "as a sheep to the slaughter."

 

 Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested.  And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion.  Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them.  But Pilate answered them, saying, "Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?"  For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.  But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them.  Pilate is hoping to release Jesus, as he knows He is innocent (he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy; see also Mark 15:14; John 18:38, 19:4-6).  Therefore, he turns to the crowd for support, hoping they will ask for Jesus despite the accusation of the chief priests.  But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them.

 

In yet another aspect of the "upside down" nature of the events surrounding Jesus' Crucifixion, my study Bible has a note regarding Barabbas.  It says that the name Barabbas means "son of the father."  But we know that Jesus is the true Son of the Father.  Ironically, therefore, these crowds are given a choice between one Son of the Father and the other.  As the chief priests influence the crowds to choose Barabbas, so they also indicate to which father they belong -- the devil (John 8:44).  This illustrates for us perhaps the power of choosing, and unintended consequences for decisions we make that may not be central to a bad outcome or choice (such as the condemnation and Crucifixion of Christ), and yet nonetheless we participate in a secondary way, through the repercussions generated that affect others.  This crowd is not responsible for trying Jesus in an overnight (and therefore illegal) trial; they're not responsible for the many false witnesses who testified against Jesus.  They're not members of the Sanhedrin, nor are they scribes or elders.  But they are stirred up by the chief priests, and manipulated in a way so as to also participate in the same choices and "energies" of this bad act intended against Christ.  It illustrates for us how even our most small and tangential-seeming choices have meaning, for we choose whether we will participate in what ostensibly serves the good, or what is not good.  Jesus teaches us to be watchful, and to pray always, and such moments of decision are reasons for that admonition.  See Mark 13:37; 14:38.  In the illustration of the name of Barabbas, at this time when Jesus is on trial before Pilate, we have what is possibly a unique example of what heresy is.  For a heresy is something which is not necessarily obviously a lie.  As Jesus gives us the parable of the Wheat and the Tares, the tares are a type of weed that closely resembles wheat, and they grow side-by-side, so that it takes discernment to know the difference, and one can't necessarily be taken out without disturbing the other.  So heresy is something that seems to resemble the truth, but it is counterfeit in one way or another, and this is why we need watchfulness, and the knowledge the discern the truth.  It is why the Church has historically held Councils to deliberate and identify heresy, and to give us the truth of Christ and identify for us what is false.  While this crowd may be thinking they are doing something correct by following the chief priests, or perhaps they simply are there to be roused one way or another at the spectacle of this trial before Pilate, Barabbas is a counterfeit hero -- one who claims boldness and daring in seeking to deliver the people from the Romans.  But it is Jesus who is the true Deliverer, and who offers the true salvation for Israel and for all people; He is the Savior.  If we look closely in our lives, we also may be able to identify moments in which things seem upside down, what is taken as true in fact is false, skillful lies and half-truths serving the opposite of the good.  Let us therefore take Christ's advice to be watchful always, and to learn and grow in our faith so that we are aware of what we are about, and not prey for skillful manipulators with their own agendas.  Let us not just follow the crowds, but always follow our Lord.  Pilate offers to release Jesus, but the crowd turns him down.  Let us consider what we choose, and whom we follow, at all times. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But this is your hour, and the power of darkness

 

 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs?  When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me.  But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."

 

Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest's house.  But Peter followed at a distance.  Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them.  And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, "This man was also with Him."  But he denied Him, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him."  And after a little while another saw him and said, "You also are of them."  But Peter said, "Man, I am not!"  Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, "Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean."  But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying!"  Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.  And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.  Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."  So Peter went out and wept bitterly.

 

- Luke 22:52–62 

 

On Saturday, we read that coming out from the temple in Jerusalem, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.  When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."  And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."  Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.  And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly.  Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.  Then He said to them, "Why do you sleep?  Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation." And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before  them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him.  But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"  When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"  And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.  But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this."  And He touched his ear and healed him.

 

  Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs?  When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me.  But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."   For our understanding of darkness in this context, my study Bible refers us to John 3:19-21; 13:30.  In these contexts, we observe that the power of darkness is that which resists the light, the true light that has come into the world, Jesus Christ, who is Light of Light (Nicene Creed).

 

 Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest's house.  But Peter followed at a distance.  Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them.  And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, "This man was also with Him."  But he denied Him, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him."   My study Bible comments on the fact that it is a girl who is the first to test Peter.  In patristic understanding, this is an icon of the temptation of Adam by Eve in Genesis 3:6.  Our fallen state, it notes, is overcome in Christ when women are the first to hear, believe, and proclaim the Resurrection (see Luke 24:1-10).  

 

 And after a little while another saw him and said, "You also are of them."  But Peter said, "Man, I am not!"  Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, "Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean."  But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying!"  Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.  And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.  Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."  So Peter went out and wept bitterly.  My study Bible notes that Peter is so overcome with fear that neither Christ's prediction (Luke 22:34) nor the crowing of the rooster calls him to repentance.  Only the gaze of the Lord causes Peter to weep bitterly.  St. Ambrose of Milan is quoted, who says that, nonetheless, "through tears, what cannot be defended can be purged, for tears wash away the offense which is shameful to confess out loud." 

 

What do we do when we have done something that seems unforgivable -- and most of all, unforgivable to ourselves?   Just prior to Christ's seizure by the authorities, He said to Peter, "Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail . . .."  But Peter responded to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death."  See Luke 22:31-34.  But here, even before a servant girl, the first to spot Peter as a follower of Christ, he wavers and caves to his fears, denying that he was a disciple.  A man then affirms that he was one of them, and Peter denies it again.  Finally, another affirms that it must be so, due to Peter's Galilean accent he recognizes, Jesus' disciples having followed Him from Galilee.  It's only the gaze of Christ that causes Peter to come to himself, and to realize what he has done.  He hasn't simply denied Christ, he has also betrayed himself in so doing.  We can only imagine what it is to confidently predict what steadfast people we are, how we will uphold our values or principles, we will always be loyal and never waver -- and then, just like that, we are tested and we fail even in our own eyes.  No wonder Peter went out and wept bitterly.  Not only has Peter failed himself and, more importantly, His Lord, Peter's overconfidence came in the face of Christ's prophecy to him.  When we look at this story this way, we see that Christ, of course, was not trying to bring Peter down or even to criticize him, but to forewarn him of the test and temptation to come, to solemnly warn him of his own weaknesses and his need to be conscious of them.  How many of us could confess to making similar mistakes in our lives, only to have to come to terms with how we have come up short?  Certainly this author can say so.  But for St. Peter, for myself, and one may dare say for all, Christ is the answer to our bitter failures and shortcomings.  For Jesus, as He indeed indicated, still wants St. Peter for his mission.  Even if we fail in our own eyes, and in the eyes of the world, our disappointment is only really tempered through Christ, who has a place for us, a plan, a way to go forward.  That means is through repentance, through turning back to Christ through all things, and accepting the reality He offers us.  That is, just as in this specific case we're given in the Gospels with St. Peter, we need to accept His judgment instead of our own -- even on ourselves as well.  Jesus also predicts to Peter, ". . . when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."  There is a very important lesson here about our faith, about confidence in ourselves, about our own judgment and estimation of our own potential weaknesses.  But most of all, it also tells us about temptation, for the devil who wanted to sift Peter as wheat apparently helped bring along the means of the failure of his faith, a way to trip him up in his weakness.  But with Christ, such stumbling blocks become opportunities for growth and for the strengthening of our faith, in that we become more aware of who we are, grow in helpful knowledge of our weaknesses, and may always turn and return to Him in repentance so that He shows us the way for us to the future and a better destiny and life.  St. Peter, of course, went on to have remarkable faith, going to his martyrdom for Christ, finally true to his word.  But before that he became a pillar of the Church, part of the foundation as the "rock" that Jesus named him, giving to us in turn a faith against which the gates of hades could not prevail (Matthew 16:18).  Yesterday, across the world and across many denominations, was the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.  Let us be truly grateful for the foundation they gave us, and follow in their footsteps as faithful to Christ.  For we all may be tested by the power of darkness, but with Christ it shall never prevail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things

 

 Now it happened on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel, that the chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, confronted Him and spoke to Him, saying, "Tell us, by what authority are You doing these things?  Or who is he who gave You this authority?"  But He answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one thing, and answer Me:  The baptism of John -- was it from heaven or from men?"  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?'  But if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet."  So they answered that they did not know where it was from.  And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."  

 

- Luke 20:1-8 

 

Yesterday we read that as Jesus drew near to Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace!  But now they are hidden from your eyes.  For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation."  Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it, saying to them, "It is written, 'My house is a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves.'"  And He was teaching daily in the temple.   But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him, and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him.

 

  Now it happened on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel, that the chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, confronted Him and spoke to Him, saying, "Tell us, by what authority are You doing these things?  Or who is he who gave You this authority?"  But He answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one thing, and answer Me:  The baptism of John -- was it from heaven or from men?"  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?'  But if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet."  So they answered that they did not know where it was from.  And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."   My study Bible says that these things refers to Christ's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem as Messiah (see this reading), the cleansing of the temple (see yesterday's reading, above), and His preaching (note the first verse in today's reading).  These elders confront Jesus, my study Bible explains, since it was the duty of the priestly descendants of Levi to manage the temple.  Although Christ was descended from Judah (Luke 3:33) rather than Levi, He is nonetheless the High Priest "according to the order of Melchizedek" (Psalm 110:4), a priestly line far greater than that of Levi, for Christ's authority is from the Father. 

 

Christ's great conflict with the religious leaders in the temple is over authority.  He is constantly being asked as to His authority to do what He does.  The same thing can be said when we read of His preaching in the local synagogues in Galilee.  There, it is reported in the Gospels, He astonishes people because He teaches and commands even unclean spirits "with authority" (Luke 4:32, 36), and "not as the scribes" (Matthew 7:29; Mark 1:22).  That is, He speaks, teaches, and commands of Himself, so to speak, and not as the scribes, who would teach by citing, for example, a famous rabbi.  Jesus, as we know, is the Logos Incarnate (John 1:1).  He is the Word, and as the Word and Second Person of the Trinity, He spoke the world into existence (John 1:2-3).  So therefore, when we hear that Christ speaks "with authority" we cannot but hear that this is the Logos speaking; He is the Word Himself, so naturally what flows through His teaching and His ministry has the authority of the Word.  We can't possibly imagine what it must have been like to hear Jesus preach and teach, and to experience His power of commanding the spirits in person.   In the Gospel of St. John we read that, when temple officers were sent to arrest Jesus, they failed to do so.  Upon being questioned by these religious leaders as to why, they answered, "No man ever spoke like this Man!" (John 7:45-46).  For the Pharisees and the other religious leaders in the temple, the appeal of Christ among the crowds of pilgrims and disciples who hear Him is confounding.  But Christ's compelling words and language and authority still speaks to us from the pages of the Gospels today.  According to my study Bible, St. John Chrysostom comments on that passage from St. John's Gospel regarding the temple officers who failed to arrest Jesus.  He says that whereas the Pharisees and scribes who had "witnessed the miracles and read the Scriptures derived no benefit" from them, the officers who could claim no learning as such, were "captivated by a single sermon."  When one's mind is open, St. Chrysostom writes, "there is no need for long speeches.  Truth is like that."   And yes, so we witness as well, along with St. Chrysostom, "Truth is like that."  It hits us hard, and deep in the heart, and we, too, hear His words this way today.  For Christ is the Word, He is the Person who is the Truth (John 14:6), and He gives us the truth that is deeper than all other truths we know.  As St. Paul writes, "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).  This is how the truth of Christ works, and His authority, and we but need the ears to hear it and eyes to see it.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!

 

 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.  

Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

 

- Luke 7:1–17 

 

 We have been reading through Jesus' Sermon on the Plain, in Luke's Gospel (beginning with Tuesday's reading).  Yesterday we read that Jesus added a parable to His teachings:  "Can the blind lead the blind?  Will they not both fall into the ditch?  A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.  And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye?  Hypocrite!  First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye.  For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  For every tree is known by its fruit.  For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.  For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.  But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?  Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:  He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.  And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.  But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell.  And the ruin of that house was great."

 

  Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.   My study Bible says that this centurion, a Roman Gentile, is unusual in his devotion to the Jews.  It notes for us his remarkable characteristics.  He is compassionate, he loves God and God's people; he has humility; and also possesses great faith, as remarked upon by Jesus.  

Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.  In the Gospels, there are three recorded resurrections performed by Christ (see also Luke 8:41-56; John 11:1-44).  My study Bible says that they confirm the promise given to the prophet Ezekiel that god will one day open the graves and raise all the dead (Ezekiel 37:1-14).  Many people have exercised authority over the living, my study Bible says, but only the Son of God "has power over both the living and the dead" (quoting from the Eastern Orthodox funeral service).  While Christ has power through His word alone (John 11:43), here it's observed that He also touched the coffin to show that His very body is life-giving.  Moreover, according to St. Ambrose of Milan, this event prefigures Christ's own Resurrection. Mary will weep for Jesus at the Cross, but her tears will be turned to joy by the Resurrection.  Here, a widow's only son is raised from the dead, and this puts an end to her weeping.

 

I find myself intrigued by the good qualities of this centurion which my study Bible describes.  It notes that the centurion, a Roman Gentile, is unusual in his devotion to the Jews.  Moreover, the qualities he displays include compassion, and a love for God and God's people.  He is also humble.  And Christ Himself praises the centurion's remarkable faith ("I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!" )  Perhaps we might ask ourselves why we hear about this remarkable Roman centurion at this point in St. Luke's Gospel, for it is, indeed, an event to open our eyes when even Jesus points out a faith greater than any He's found in Israel!  One might begin with the events of our recent readings, in which Jesus has chosen His twelve apostles from among His disciples, and given the Sermon on the Plain, which is roughly similar to the Sermon on the Mount although not as extensive.  For in so doing, He has conveyed the gospel message that the apostles are to take out first throughout Israel, but eventually throughout the known world.  So, immediately after giving us all His gospel, Jesus encounters this centurion, who is not only Roman and a Gentile, but even an official of the hated Roman colonial regime which occupies Israel.  If this man's faith surpasses any Jesus has found in Israel, just imagine what that portends for the gospel message which will be sent out to all of the world.  One aspect of this man's faith is -- almost surprising in and of itself -- his understanding of authority and how it works.  Let us note here that Jesus' most persistent accusation and questioning will be over His authority to do the things He does.  He teaches with authority.  When He cleanses the temple in Jerusalem, the first question the religious leaders will bring to Him is the demand to know from where He got the authority to do so, and who gave that authority to Him.  But this man of authority, the centurion (who is a captain or commander over one hundred Roman soldiers) fully invests himself with unquestioned faith in Jesus' authority.  He has no problem giving over his trust entirely, perhaps even instinctively, to Jesus and Jesus' ability to command with authority.  Perhaps we're to understand that a man of authority, rank, and hierarchy in a chain of command like this centurion can recognize the same in Christ.  The centurion serves the emperor, and has a chain of command below and above himself; so he seems to automatically assume Christ has as well.  And this kind of almost instinctive trust is one aspect of faith.  The other qualities that make the centurion a remarkable man are also indispensable for Christian faith and the living of our faith:  he is compassionate, he loves God and God's people, and he is humble.  He has the humility of a man who understands authority and rank, and does not hesitate to put trust in another's authority whom he recognizes.  In the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Mark, Jesus will teach the apostles about the use of power in the Church by citing for negative contrast the example of the Gentiles.  Jesus teaches, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:25-28; see also Mark 10:42-45).  Therefore, the example of this centurion, which is based so primarily upon his understanding and recognition of authority, is that much more remarkable.  For this Gentile Roman is cited as a splendid example of one who uses authority well and properly and in service to what is great faith in the sight of Jesus Christ.  Let us consider today what constitutes authority and its proper use, for here we have a great example as provided for us in the Gospels.  His respect for faith, his love of God, his service to God's people, his proper humility, and especially his recognition of Christ's authority -- all of these things turn for us this representative of the hated Roman occupiers and their military might into a splendid example of a Christian soldier, and one to make even Jesus marvel.   Let us consider what he is so willing to serve, and how he serves. 

 

 

 

Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things

 

 Then they came again to Jerusalem.  And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him.  And they said to Him, "By what authority are You doing these things?  And who gave You this authority to do these things?"  But Jesus answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things:  The baptism of John -- was it from heaven or from men?  Answer Me."  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?'  But if we say, 'From men'" -- they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed.  So they answered and said to Jesus, "We do not know."  And Jesus answered and said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."  

Then He began to speak to them in parables:  "A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower.  And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country.  Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers.  And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed.  Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the heard, and sent him away shamefully treated.  And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some.  Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, 'They will respect my son.'  But those vinedressers said among themselves, 'This is the heir.  Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.'  So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.  Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do?  He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others.  Have you not even read this Scripture:

'The stone which the builders rejected

Has become the chief cornerstone

This was the LORD's doing,

And it is marvelous in our eyes'?"

And they sought to lay hands on Him,  but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them.  So they left Him and went away. 

 

- Mark 11:27—12:12 

 

Yesterday we read that, the next day after His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, when Jesus and the disciples had come out from Bethany, He was hungry.  And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it.  When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.  In response Jesus said to it, "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again."  And His disciples heard it.  So they came to Jerusalem.  Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.  And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple.  Then He taught, saying to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations'?  But you have made it a 'den of thieves.'"  And the scribes and chief priests hears it and sought how they night destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching.  When evening had come, He went out of the city.  Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.  And Peter, remembering, said to Him, "Rabbi, look!  The fig tree which You cursed has withered away."  So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God.  For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.  Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you will receive them, an you will have them.  And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive your trespasses.  But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."

 

  Then they came again to Jerusalem.  And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him.  And they said to Him, "By what authority are You doing these things?  And who gave You this authority to do these things?"  But Jesus answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things:  The baptism of John -- was it from heaven or from men?  Answer Me."  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?'  But if we say, 'From men'" -- they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed.  So they answered and said to Jesus, "We do not know."  And Jesus answered and said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."    After the cleansing of the temple (see yesterday's reading, above, in which Jesus drove out those who bought and sold, and overturned the tables of the money changers), the chief priests, scribes, and elders come to Him demanding by what authority He does these things.  Christ is not a Levitical priest, my study Bible explains, and so has authority obvious to the religious leaders.  It explains that, as Christ is careful not to reveal Himself to scoffers, He confounds them with a different question about John the Baptist.  Both the elders' question and Jesus' question require the same answer, and so would lead a person to confess that Jesus has come from heaven.  But by not answering them directly, my study Bible says, Christ teaches us not to answer people who come asking about holy things with a malicious intent.

 

 Then He began to speak to them in parables:  "A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower.  And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country.  Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers.  And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed.  Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the heard, and sent him away shamefully treated.  And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some.  Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, 'They will respect my son.'  But those vinedressers said among themselves, 'This is the heir.  Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.'  So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.  Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do?  He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others."  My study Bible explains that in Jesus' parable, the man represents God the Father, and the vineyard is a reference to God's people.  The vinedressers are the leaders of the Jews who are entrusted to care for the people.  Every servant which is sent by the owner stands for an Old Testament prophet, who comes to call the people back to God.  The son, of course, is Christ Himself.  When the Son is cast out of the vineyard and killed, we are to understand it on two levels.  First, Jesus was killed outside of Jerusalem (the site of Golgotha was outside of the old walls of the city); and second, that Jesus was crucified by foreign soldiers, and not by those of His own vineyard.  The others who later receives the vineyard are the Gentiles brought into the Church. 

 

"Have you not even read this Scripture: 'The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?" And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them.  So they left Him and went away.   Jesus quotes from Psalm 118:22-23, indicating that He is the fulfillment of this Scripture.  The stone is Christ, who has become the chief cornerstone of the Church, in which believers are the living stones.

 

What does it mean to us that Christ is our chief cornerstone?  It means that He is the foundation, and the guiding rule, for all that is to come in the Church, as it is built up through time.  He is the one upon whom we rest, and upon whom we must base all that we do, our way of thinking, our understanding of our faith, and ultimately of God.  He is the one who frames all of our spiritual reality and understanding.  In today's daily reading is also included verses from St. Paul's first letter to Timothy, in which he describes the Church as "the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."  The "pillar" and "ground" are connected in the chief cornerstone, the one that defines the whole of the building and sets forth its foundation upon which to build.  What we find in this imagery is Christ's unequivocal statement about the reality of who He is.  He has conducted His three-year public ministry while most of the time guarding the secret of His messianic identity, His true status.  But now He has made the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, and once He is face to face with the religious leaders who bitterly oppose His popularity (just as they no doubt feared John the Baptist), and now question His authority, He does not mince words.  He does not shrink back from declaring Himself, but is instead quite open and completely transparent in His declarations about Himself.  For now it is time for this revelation and even the confrontation which ensues, leading to the Cross, and to His subsequent Resurrection.  This is His "hour," and He does not shrink back from it, but fully engages in the truth He must present in the temple at Jerusalem.  He has come to this place specifically for this engagement and what will follow.  Perhaps today is a good day to consider His courage in doing so, for He clearly knows what He is doing -- and judging from the parable, He knows where He is headed in so doing.  Let us learn from Him:  there are times to speak and tell our truth, and there are times when it's prudent not to do so (as in Christ's refusal to justify Himself when questioned about His authority).  But note that even when Christ is refusing to justify His authority, He still speaks with authority nevertheless.  Everything must be guided by God, and so we seek discernment in all things.  This is Christ's "hour" -- not before, not later.  Let us also be guided by God and serving the purpose we're given in our own lives, seeking through prayer to find Christ's way for us. 

 

 

 

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

 

 Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest's house.  But Peter followed at a distance.  Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them.  And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, "This man was also with Him."  But he denied Him, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him."  And after a little while another saw him and said, "You also are one of them."  But Peter said, "Man, I am not!"  Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, "Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean."  But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are are saying1"  Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.  And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.  Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."  So Peter went out and wept bitterly. 

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."

 

- Luke 22:54–69 

 

Yesterday, we read that, coming out from the Passover Supper (the Last Supper), Jesus went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.  When He came to the place, He said to them, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."  And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done."  Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.  And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly.  Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.  Then He said to them, "Why do you sleep?  Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation."  And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him.  But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"  When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"  And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.  But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this."  And He touched his ear and healed him.  Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs?  When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me.  But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."   

 

Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest's house.  But Peter followed at a distance.  Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them.  And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, "This man was also with Him."  My study Bible notes that it is a girl who is the first to test Peter; it teaches us that she is an icon of the temptation of Adam by Eve (Genesis 3:6).  The Gospel shows us that our fallen state is overcome in Christ when it is women who are the first to hear, believe, and proclaim the Resurrection (Luke 24:1-10).  

But he denied Him, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him."  And after a little while another saw him and said, "You also are one of them."  But Peter said, "Man, I am not!"  Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, "Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean."  But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are are saying1"  Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.  And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.  Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."  So Peter went out and wept bitterly.  Peter is so overcome with fear, my study Bible says, that neither Christ's prediction (verse 34) nor the crowing of the rooster calls him to repentance.  It's only the Lord's gaze that finally causes him to weep bitterly.  St. Ambrose of Milan is quoted as saying of this passage that, nevertheless, "through tears, what cannot be defended can be purged, for tears wash away the offense which is shameful to confess out loud."

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.  Our Lord as prisoner is humiliated, ridiculed, abused, in a brutish way.  But we must consider how He condescended to experience what we may experience in our lives.  

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."  My study Bible comments here that Jesus asked many questions of the Jewish leaders which they refused to answer because doing so would have meant confessing Him as the Christ (Luke 20:4-7; Matthew 22:41-46; Mark 3:4).  His final statement here is a declaration that He is equal with God. 

Let us compare the two responses of Peter and Jesus in today's reading.  St. Peter's expression is to deny that he is a follower of Christ.  In that sense, it's a negative expression, a denial of something.  Three times people identify him as a follower or disciple of Christ, and three times he denies that this is the truth.  "Woman, I do not know Him."  In a sense, this is a refusal to speak, to confess that he is a follower of Christ.  Then we can turn to Jesus who also refuses to speak.  In the first case, He is mocked and beaten by the soldiers.  They tie a blindfold on Him, strike Him across the face, and demand that He prophesy who hit Him.   He is treated to all manner of blasphemy, but He doesn't say a word (Isaiah 42:2).  Then when He is questioned by the religious leaders as to whether or not He is the Christ, He already knows that to answer them is futile.  He says, "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."  But then, He knows where He is going and what is going to happen, telling them only, "Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God."  In a sense, with this last statement, He's answering their questions by declaring Himself, but not answering them directly as they desire.  Son of Man is a title for a messianic figure in the Book of Daniel, the right hand of the power of God is in the position of power with God.  In St. Peter's case, he is denying who he is as a member of Christ's followers, with his strong and vehement denials, as predicted by Christ.  In Jesus' case, He doesn't speak where it will do Him no good, and neither will it do any good to those to whom He might speak.  Indeed, revealing Himself to those who scoff or mock or beat Him would only condemn those people more for their refusal to hear.  It is Jesus who teaches us, "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces" (Matthew 7:6).  Finally, He will not answer the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, who bring Him in to trial.  As He said at His arrest, "When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me.  But this is your hour, and the power of darkness" (see yesterday's reading, above).  But here they ask Him again, although they have no intention -- and perhaps no capability at this stage -- of believing His answer, of responding to Him, or of letting Him go.  This truth about them He will declare Himself, and finally, He will make a statement about where He knows He is going, and whom He knows He is and the role He will assume.  Jesus' denial to speak contrasts with Peter in that Jesus is absolutely true to Himself, to the One whom He is in the sight of God the Father.  Peter is denying himself by denying Christ; he isn't being true to the identity he's been called to assume by Christ.  Both do not answer in the ways their interrogators desire them to, but one denies the truth, and the other embodies the truth in all things and through all things.  What these poignant and terrible scenes teach us is all about how to comport ourselves as Christians, as His followers.  There will be proper times to speak and proper times not to speak -- but in all cases, our personal integrity is the truth of Christ that we can live, even through the worst of things we may experience.  We should not get caught up in formalities, but rather rely on our faith to teach us and guide us through all difficulties properly.  There is a deeply powerful moment written into this account in Luke, and that is also a moment of 'not speaking.'   We're told that the Lord turned and looked at Peter just as the rooster crowed.  How many volumes of truth does the Lord's gaze tell to Peter, and even to all of us who will one day also stand before that gaze ourselves?  He doesn't need to say a word, for He has already foretold what Peter would do, and Peter is at once brought back to himself, and to the truth of what he's doing -- even to his failure to hold to his promise that he was willing to go to prison and to die with him (Luke 22:33).  St. Peter weeps bitterly in repentance after Christ's look brings all things back to his remembrance.  Let us remember the power in silence, in a look, in a refusal to speak, even in an answer that's not really an answer someone wants to demand from us.  Let us remember the power of truth in all things, and the One who is the truth that guides us in our responses to the world, our identities and loyalties to Him first of all.

Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, saying, "Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?"

 

 And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.  But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest's courtyard.  And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end.  Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the councils sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none.  Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none.  But at last two false witnesses came forward and said, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.'"  And the high priest arose and said to Him, "Do You answer nothing?  What is it these men testify against You?"  But Jesus kept silent.  And the high priest answered and said to Him, "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."  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!  What do you think?"  They answered and said, "He is deserving of death."  Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, saying, "Prophesy to us, Christ!  Who is the one who struck You?"

 

- Matthew 26:57-68 

 

Yesterday we read that while Jesus was still speaking to His disciples in the garden of Gethsemane, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people.  Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him."  Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.  But Jesus said to him, "Friend, why have you come?"  Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.  And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.  But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.  Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?  How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?"  In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me?  I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me.  But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled."  Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

 

  And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.  But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest's courtyard.  And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end.  Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the councils sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none.  Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none.  But at last two false witnesses came forward and said, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.'"  My study Bible explains that the people misunderstand the Lord's words which are reported in John 2:19-21.  It notes that some Jews believed that the temple would be destroyed and a new one built by the Messiah.  

 And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.  But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest's courtyard.  And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end.  Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the councils sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none.  Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none.  But at last two false witnesses came forward and said, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.'"  And the high priest arose and said to Him, "Do You answer nothing?  What is it these men testify against You?"  But Jesus kept silent.  And the high priest answered and said to Him, "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."  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!  What do you think?"  They answered and said, "He is deserving of death."  Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, saying, "Prophesy to us, Christ!  Who is the one who struck You?"   Here Jesus quotes from Psalm 110 and Daniel 7:13.  In so doing, He confesses that He is the Messiah; that is fully Man and fully God.  My study Bible explains that this is so, because only a divine One could sit at the right hand of the Power, sharing authority with the Father.  This statement, it notes, was clearly understood by the high priest to be a claim of equality with God the Father.  For a mere human being to claim this was punishable by death (Leviticus 24:16).  But Christ is not a mere human being only, and therefore His declaration of equality is not blasphemy.  

It's interesting that, as my study Bible notes, the high priest understands clearly what Christ is saying, that He has claimed equality with God the Father.  These educated men, steeped in the Scriptures, understand this implication from Christ.  But their conclusion is the opposite of the truth, the foundational reality of Christ's assertion is dismissed out of hand.  He must be a blasphemer.  It asks the question of us, what is it that can mislead highly intelligent and educated people to a conclusion antithetical to truth?  Of course, for those who are faithful to Christ and embrace His teachings, this truth about Him is a given.  We who have struggled with our faith, and come to know Christ -- and to continue to grow in our communion with Him -- have found this truth to be so.  It is, indeed, at least as experiential (if not more so) as it is an intellectual or other type of process.  So what is missing from the mind and heart of the high priest that He can draw this conclusion, that Christ is simply a blasphemer?  Has He missed Christ's own devotion to the Scriptures and to God?  Has Christ behaved like a person who has no contact with reality?  Is He out of His mind?  Does Christ have an army He's prepared to use to fight the powers that be, or does He even use some kind of worldly authority to do so?  No, Christ doesn't come with any of that, nor does He claim such authority.  But He is armed with His gospel, He is armed with His truth, and He doesn't make apologies for it.  Sometimes that is enough to render a person an object of abject hatred and outrage.  Of course, in the next chapter, St. Matthew tells us that Pilate, another man of worldly power, understands the leaders of the Sanhedrin well.  Pilate will know that these leaders hand Jesus over to him because of envy (Matthew 27:19).  It's worth asking ourselves why intelligent and educated men -- those responsible for the spiritual welfare of Israel -- can still make such a colossal error in terms of discerning the truth about Jesus, because as the Gospels always do, it's an opportunity to learn for ourselves.  It's an opportunity to think about how and why we -- as perhaps intelligent, educated, and capable people -- might make the same kind of error, indulge in the same kind of blindness, and incur the same condemnation.  Because these men know better, because they are violating their own rules of procedure by having a night trial, because the witnesses fail to confirm any wrongdoing, we can only conclude that this is a deliberate blindness.  The protection of their own positions is no doubt dearest in their hearts above all else.  What we find is a repeated failure to put the love of God first.  There isn't a concern for fairness or justice or righteousness; only a concern to rid themselves of a threat to their places, and One who has the favor of the people.  But all of this included in the Gospels gives us things to ponder as we are to check our own tendencies to confirm our own biases, or take refuge in a blind self-righteousness.  They are a cautionary tale, as our own assurance of righteousness based on position or appearance, rather than substance, can mislead us badly.  If we aren't to be like these men, we must always be awake and alert to our own tendencies to find justification for selfish and unjust behavior.  John's Gospel tells us that "even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God" (John 12:42-43).  Humility and love of God go hand in hand, and to check the state of our own hearts means emphasizing these two things; it's what our faith is all about, and what is missing from these men.  For Who stands before them and what they are doing they cannot truly see, because they choose not to.  It's our self-chosen blindness that may lead to our greatest blunders.  From that point of condemnation, they debase themselves even more with their behavior:  Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, saying, "Prophesy to us, Christ!  Who is the one who struck You?"  

 

 

Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things

 

 Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, "By what authority are You doing these things?  And who gave You this authority?"  But Jesus answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things:  The baptism of John -- where was it from?  From heaven or from men?"  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?'  But if we say, 'From men,' we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet."  So they answered Jesus and said, "We do not know."  And He said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.  

 

"But what do you think?  A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go, work today in my vineyard.'  He answered and said, 'I will not,' but afterward he regretted it and went.  Then he came to the second and said likewise.  And he answered and said, 'I go, sir,'  but he did not go.  Which if the two did the will of his father?"  They said to Him, "The first."  Jesus said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.  For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him."

 

- Matthew 21:23-32 

 

Yesterday we read that, after Christ's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem,  He went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.  And He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be a called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves.'"  Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.   But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" they were indignant and said to Him, "Do You hear what these are saying?"  And Jesus said to them, "Yes.  Have you never read,   'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise'?"  Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and He lodged there.  Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry.  And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, "Let no fruit grow on you ever again."  Immediately the fig tree withered away.  And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither away so soon?"  So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done.  And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." 

 

  Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, "By what authority are You doing these things?  And who gave You this authority?"  But Jesus answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things:  The baptism of John -- where was it from?  From heaven or from men?"  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?'  But if we say, 'From men,' we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet."  So they answered Jesus and said, "We do not know."  And He said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."  My study Bible explains that as Christ is not a Levitical priest, and therefore has no formal institutional authority in the temple, the chief priests and the elders challenge His authority to cleanse the temple.  Jesus is careful not to reveal His Messianic identity to scoffers, and so He confounds them with a different question with John.  Both the elders' question and Christ's question back to them require the same answer, and therefore would lead a person to confess that Jesus has come from heaven.  By not answering them directly, my study Bible notes, Christ teaches us not to answer people who come asking about holy things with a malicious intent.

"But what do you think?  A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go, work today in my vineyard.'  He answered and said, 'I will not,' but afterward he regretted it and went.  Then he came to the second and said likewise.  And he answered and said, 'I go, sir,'  but he did not go.  Which if the two did the will of his father?"  They said to Him, "The first."  Jesus said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.  For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him."   My study Bible notes that using their own principles, the elders convict themselves in their answer to Christ's parable.  

So, once again we come to the question of authority.  This question of what is authority, or who is authoritative, continues to come up in Christ's ministry.  It is a question that most concerns the religious authorities, for as far as they are concerned the administration and regulation of the practices of the temple and of the faith belong to them.  It is in this context that Jesus asks them the question, regarding John the Baptist and his ministry:  "The baptism of John -- where was it from?  From heaven or from men?"  John the Baptist was during his lifetime considered a holy man and greatly revered among the population.  We remember that John died while he was imprisoned in Herod Antipas' palace, as Herod's wife wanted him beheaded.  John the Baptist had criticized their marriage as unlawful.  John's widespread reputation for holiness was such that his opinion meant a great deal to the common people; hence Herod's imprisonment of John and his wife, Herodias', desire to have John beheaded.  In the context of Jesus' time and place, authority is indeed significant, or perhaps we might say it is everything.  The rulers in the temple hold their places because they hold authority according to the law and practices established by Moses and subsequent tradition.  Herod holds his place because of the authority given by Rome, just as Pilate does.  So the question of authority becomes one that invests every decision, and seemingly every turn of Christ's ministry.  Christ is even rejected in His hometown of Nazareth because the neighbors believe they already "know" Him and are both astonished and indignant that He suddenly has knowledge and speaks with an authority they themselves do not acknowledge.  For some reason, this is the place we continually find as a stumbling block in the Gospels.  Where is Jesus' authority?  Where does it come from?   In Luke's Gospel, the people express their astonishment at a kind of authority that comes seemingly out of nowhere:  "For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out" (Luke 4:36), and let us not forget that it is, indeed, a type of authority Jesus wields that commands the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.  Right in the beginning of Christ's ministry at Capernaum, Mark tells us that the people "were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes" (Mark 1:22).  Jesus speaks on His own authority, not quoting from a famous rabbi or a historical opinion, as do the scribes.  The unclean spirits periodically cry out to Jesus, indicating a recognition of status and authority and power:  "Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!" (Mark 1:24).  So much so, that He commands them not to speak, so as not to reveal His identity.  In today's reading, it is those in leadership who wish to silence and be rid of Him who demand to know by what authority He cleansed the temple, and who exactly gave Him that authority.  But neither will He reveal His identity directly to them; and instead, He asks them about the authority of John, which they are afraid to answer.  We're left to ponder that truth works with authority despite the fact that there are those who vehemently do not wish to recognize it as such.  Truth has its own way of acting and playing itself out, working its way among us -- and we might say this is because truth itself, particularly where justice is concerned, is rooted in spiritual reality.  Jesus tells us, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6)  affirming this for us.  If Truth is therefore a Person -- and a divine Person -- then how are we to think of it?  We must consider that truth is a more powerful concept than we can understand on purely material or worldly terms.  And therein we come to the question of authority.  When worldly institutions or powers do not affirm the authority of truth, then how do we turn to that truth?  How can we recognize Christ's authority?  The popular recognition of St. John the Baptist as a holy person is something that informs us today regarding sainthood in the Church.  Saints are not saints because they are declared so, but first are in some sense organically understood as the effects of their lives are felt in the lives and communities of those around themselves.  As such, the people recognize John, and so these religious authorities fear to answer Jesus' question.  When Jesus will warn of false prophets to come, He speaks of a dynamic that also teaches us about recognizing saints, "By their fruits you will know them" (Matthew 7:15-20).  So that we may ponder this question of authority, this demand to know by what authority Christ heals, or cleanses the temple, or does any of the things we've read about in His ministry, let us consider what the fruits of that ministry tell us of His authority.  What would they communicate to you?  And how is it that these religious leaders cannot perceive the authority behind His ministry?  How is it that these men, experts in the Scripture and the history of Judaism, do not know that authority themselves?   Christ's answer, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things," would seem to speak to that failure.

 

 

"Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" Jesus said, "I am"

 

 And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes.  But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest.  And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.   

 

Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none.  For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree.  Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying, "We heard Him say, 'I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.'"  But not even then did their testimony agree.  And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, "Do You answer nothing?  What is it these men testify against You?"  But He kept silent and answered nothing Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?"  Jesus said, "I am.  And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."  Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "What further need do we have of witnesses?  You have heard the blasphemy!  What do you think?"  And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.  Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, "Prophesy!"  And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.

 

- Mark 14:53–65 

 

On Saturday we read that, immediately, while Jesus was still speaking to His disciples in the garden of Gethsemane, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.  Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely."  As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, "Rabbi, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.  Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him.  And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.  Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me?  I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me.  But the Scriptures must be fulfilled."  Then they all forsook Him and fled. Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body.  And the young men laid hold of him, and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.

 

  And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes.  But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest.  And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.  In our previous reading (see above), we read of the young man (frequently thought to be the Evangelist Mark himself, or possibly John) who fled naked after He tried to follow Christ.  Here we read that Peter managed to follow at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest.  This sets the stage for the challenges Peter will face in our next reading.  

Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none.  For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree.  Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying, "We heard Him say, 'I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.'"  But not even then did their testimony agree.  Here we see the desperate search by the authorities (the chief priests and all the council) to find witness testimony that will convict Jesus.  Here are many false witnesses whose testimonies did not agree.   

And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, "Do You answer nothing?  What is it these men testify against You?"  But He kept silent and answered nothing Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?"  Jesus said, "I am.  And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."  Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "What further need do we have of witnesses?  You have heard the blasphemy!  What do you think?"  And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.  Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, "Prophesy!"  And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.  Jesus testifies Himself, in answer to the question of the high priest, "I am."  In Greek this is ego eimi/Ἐγώ εἰμι.  It is the divine name of God as given to Moses in Exodus 3:14, as reported in the Septuagint version of the Scriptures commonly in use at the time.  (When Christ quotes from what we call the Old Testament, it is the Septuagint version reported in the Gospels.)  My study Bible comments that the use of this divine name here, the I am, indicates a theophany, or revelation of God Himself.  The use of this Name by a human being was considered to be blasphemy and was punishable by death (Leviticus 24:16; see John 8:58), hence the response of the high priest. But because Jesus is fully God, His use of this Name is not blasphemy.  Rather, He is revealing His unity with the Father and the Holy Spirit.  My study Bible adds that it is only in Mark's account that Christ's answer is this direct.  To sit at the right hand of the Power is to share authority with the Father.  This statement was clearly understood by the high priest to be a claim of equality with God, and therefore results in his response. 

 

 Our systems of justice today, particularly in the West, reflect our understanding of the injustice carried out against Jesus Christ.  We know what false witnesses are, we know and accept that the innocent -- and in this case, the profoundly and truly Innocent -- can be falsely convicted through false witnesses.  Even in ancient times, a false witness was unacceptable in legal systems.  Enshrined into our laws today is that this is so, even for defendants despised by the society for all kinds of reasons.  The same is true for testimony that is contradictory.  But the extraordinary thing about this hearing we read about today is that the ultimate witness is Christ Himself.  What is the case when it is the truth itself that people despise and want to reject?  In this case, the One who referred to Himself as the way, the truth, and the life is being rejected for stating clearly who He is.  What are we to make of that kind of a trial and conviction?  How do we see it?  How do we look at it?  What does that tell us, in fact, about our own propensity to reject the things we don't like, the things that threaten us, or take away our own righteous sense of ourselves?  But let us look at Christ Himself, for He came into the world to proclaim His gospel.  Luke tells us that as Jesus went into the synagogue of His hometown of Nazareth, He read the prophecy of Isaiah, saying:  "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord" (Isaiah 61:1-2; Luke 4:16-30).  To these words Jesus added, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing," thus rendering indignant to the point of murder the people of His hometown -- who could not accept that Jesus could be the Christ.  Thus we have this similar response in the high priest and members of the Council.  Jesus' truth is unacceptable for them.  It is too threatening to their places and the ways of life they know, the things they hold most precious, just as the people of Nazareth were indignant of their own perceived positions in relation to Jesus and His family.  If Jesus' words were true, what would that mean for them?  How would they have to change their own minds about life, about themselves and their places?  How would they have to change?  So, we must also ask ourselves what we're willing to do to accept a truth we might not like.  Are we prepared to go wherever it is that Christ would ask us to go?  This is the position the disciples were in at this time.  And there is a greater question here.  We know where Jesus will go, and we can see it previewed in the actions of those who spit on Him, mock Him, beat Him, blindfold Him demanding prophesy while they do so.  He will be treated with the contempt of those meting out violence and torture and the cruelty of crucifixion.  From this, we understand Christ's blood shed for us, for telling us His truth, for bringing us the gospel and the good news of our faith.  So as we are baptized into His life, what can we endure for this faith and this truth?  Do we at times find ourselves paying the price for our faith, for those who are indignant at our faith?  How do we know to accept this reality, to bear it even with humility and dignity if there is nothing we can do to change others and their response?  Can we change ourselves to accept our own suffering for His name's sake?  We make many decisions in life, and even the smallest choice can reflect our faith.  Christ declares Himself openly here before the high priest, knowing that His human death is coming.  There are all kinds of ways in which we may also suffer for our choices, some very small.  Those persons who have shared Christ's death for the sake of their faith we call martyrs.  In ways we can't completely understand, their suffering becomes the fertile ground of the Church, and there are martyrs today suffering for the sake of their Christian faith around the world.  For each of us who enter into His life through baptism and the Eucharist, we should put into perspective the times we go through difficulties for our faith, for we enter through participation in His cup, even in small ways, separating ourselves from the way of the world for His way when called to do so.  Let us consider His strength and courage and the power hidden from these men in Christ's truth, for it is there for each of us as well. For when we also find His strength and faith to continue through difficulties, and carry our own cross, then we in turn bring and share it with others as well and help to build His kingdom in this world.  Let us be true to who we are and follow Him.