June 24, 2010
Nothing Surprises God
Mark 14:53-65
Susan Travis
Central Truth
False witnesses may win the day, but not eternity.
Key Verse | Mark 14:57
Some stood up and began to give false testimony against Him . . . . (Mark 14:57)
Mark 14:53-65
Jesus Before the Council
53 And they led Jesus to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together. 54 And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and the whole council 1 14:55 Greek Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. 56 For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. 57 And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even about this their testimony did not agree. 60 And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” 2 14:60 Or Have you no answer to what these men testify against you? 61 But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 62 And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” 63 And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? 64 You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death. 65 And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” And the guards received him with blows.
Dive Deeper | Mark 14:53-65
Did you ever watch Perry Mason? I’m a lawyer, and growing up, I watched Perry Mason turn witnesses into jello on the stand. Though the accused was often baffled by the willful deceit and wickedness of others, Mason could always get the guilty parties to confess.
When Jesus was on trial, however, He was never baffled or surprised. He knew all along what would happen at His trial. The Old Testament Scriptures foretold that witnesses would lie and that Jesus would not open His mouth in His defense. (Isaiah 53:7)
When I read this passage in Mark as a child, I thought Jesus was railroaded. He was railroaded, but it was all in God’s plan. Now, as a mature believer and trial lawyer, I know that unfair things happen in life. My client might get an unfair trial, or people might tell lies about me, but God knows all of this in advance. God knew it with Jesus, and He knows it with us.
I tried a case a few years ago that I just knew I would win. I had not one, but two, Perry Mason moments during the trial! However, the jury still found my client guilty. I was shocked and dismayed with God for allowing this verdict, but then I remembered there might be another purpose for the loss.
The Bible promises that God knows what is happening to us, and He will make it turn out all right. Jeremiah 29:11 states, "'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'" Romans 8:28 assures us that "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." These favorite verses sustain me through the tough times. Take heart, because in the end, God's justice is perfect!
Discussion Questions
1. Do you feel like you are getting an unfair trial in life?
2. What do you do when you feel burdened like that?
3. What Scripture can you use to encourage people who feel they are being treated unfairly?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What do verses 56 and 59 tell us about the people’s stories about Jesus?
2. Why did they not match up?
3. Talk about why it is hard to always tell the truth. What can you do next time you are tempted to not tell the whole truth? What do you need to remember?