1. Encounters Along the Way
Christ’s Encounter with the Religious Leaders of Jerusalem
Mark 14 and 15

3. We, as a culture, are very quick to seek vindication for ourselves.
Is this is reflective of the way of Jesus or not?
Ought we as His followers manifest this sort of behaviour?

4. “They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree ... Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.”

5. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him …

6. “Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “You have said so,” Jesus replied. The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.” But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed ...”

7. The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.” - Mark 14:53-15:1-6, Mark 15:16-20 ‘

8. How would you describe the opposition Jesus faced?
More than just a simple smear campaign, the religious leaders actively seek to destroy Jesus.
Notice the pattern the opposition forms; it moves from accusations and the bending of words, to judgment and condemnation, to isolation, to mocking and assault.
How did Jesus respond to the opposition He faced?
The Gospel accounts include reports like “Jesus remained silent and gave no answer” or “Jesus still made no reply” – Matthew adds “not even to a single charge”.
Why didn’t Jesus defend Himself?
Even a word of defense might have afforded Him a chance against His opponents. He ought to have demanded a fair trial, during which He could have built His case.

9. Jesus models for us an incredibly different approach to opposition than that we are most familiar with, yet is consistent with Messianic prophecy.
Jesus’ silence overshadows the entire account of the arrest, trial and crucifixion.
Jesus is rarely silent throughout the Gospels – He was never reluctant to speak – so why stay silent now?

10. Much of our anxiousness to pursue personal vindication comes from a place of profound insecurity before God.
Rather than engaging His opposition in a fruitless theological tug-of-war, Jesus laid down His end of the rope and allowed the religious leaders to tug away.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus fervently prayed “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36).
Even though Jesus desired that God vindicate Him by permitting Him to avoid the horrors of the cross, He was willing to allow God to be his vindicator, even if this vindication would not take the shape He desired.

11. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus presented His case before the one judge that truly mattered - God himself – laying Himself bare before God, asking Him to probe and test His heart and motives.
Jesus pled with God for a vindication that He desired, yet He placed firmly the power to vindicate – even the right to pursue vindication – in God’s hands.
Having submitted to God and God having found no fault in Him, Jesus saw no need to defend Himself before a group of individuals who had already arrived at a firm judgment about Him.
Honestly ask yourself today, do you think the religious leaders would have been persuaded by any defense Jesus could have offered?

12. To understand that Jesus so willingly faced such incredible opposition and such destructive false accusations out of love for us lends such incredible meaning to this time of year.
APPLICATION
Do I find a need to self-vindicate? Is my first response to opposition to fight back harder?
We all need a Garden of Gethsemane moment when opposition mounts. We need a time to open ourselves before God, to confess and repent and then, humbly placing the right to vindicate in God’s hands. We need to stop scheming, cease plotting, and halt trying to eloquently defend ourselves.
This process is not without pain … in fact, it assures sometimes significant suffering, which is why it truly is the road less travelled.

13. Do I find myself in the sandals of the religious leaders of ancient Israel, accusing, judging, isolating and mocking those with whom I’ve had conflict?
If our modus operandi is to destroy, defame, or put in ill-repute rather than edify and forgive then perhaps we’re playing on the wrong side of the field.
Even as they affixed Jesus to the cross, as He was jeered and mocked by the people of Israel, vindication was not on His mind. His words, stark and plain, were “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

14. Might grace and forgiveness define us as we follow Jesus.
Might we become a people who are quick to place the right to vindicate in God’s hands, as we become people who are even quicker to extend forgiveness to those who oppose us.
Might we be known as a people who simply do what is right – even though it will sometimes be extremely difficult – and not as a people who have to prove ourselves right.
Might grace and forgiveness define us as we follow Jesus.