Mark 14:53-65 - Homilies By A.f. Muir

Jesus at the bar of Judaism.

I. THE CHARACTER OF THE EVIDENCE AGAINST HIM .

1 . Not in support of any clear and definite indictment .

2 . Encouraged by a desire on the part of the judges to incriminate . "They sought witness." The death of the Prisoner a foregone conclusion.

3 . The accusations unreliable and conflicting .

II. HIS REPLY TO HIS ACCUSERS . Silence:

The impressive dignity of this attitude. He would not justify himself before an earthly tribunal.

III. His ANSWER TO THE HIGH PRIEST 'S QUESTION . He declared himself the Messiah and the Judge of all the earth. This was done out of respect to the representative character of the high priest, and in order to assure and inform faithful Jews.

IV. HOW THIS WAS CONSTRUED . As blasphemy: either

V. HE WAS REJECTED AND DISHONORED BY THOSE HE CAME TO SAVE , OUT OF SHEER WANTONNESS AND UNBELIEF .—M.