Matthew 26:62-66: a reflection

62The high priest stood up and said to him, “Have you no answer? What is this that these testify against you?” 63But Jesus stayed silent. The high priest answered him, “I adjure you by the living God that you tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64Jesus said to him, “You have said so. Nevertheless, I tell you, after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of the sky.” 65Then the high priest tore his clothing, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Behold, now you have heard his blasphemy. 66What do you think?” They answered, “He is worthy of death!”

At his trial before the high priest, Jesus is silent through the false testimony brought against him. But when the high priest puts him under oath, asking whether he is the Christ, the Son of God, Jesus answers plainly: You have said so. Nevertheless, I tell you, after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of the sky. He confesses openly who he is, though he knows this confession will be seized on as blasphemy and used to condemn him to death.

Notice that Jesus confesses the truth of who he is, even knowing it would condemn him. He was silent before false charges; but when directly asked whether he was the Christ, the Son of God, he did not deny it, did not evade, did not trim the truth to save himself. He confessed openly, though he knew the confession would be called blasphemy and would bring the sentence of death. He held to the truth of who he is at the cost of his life; the confession that would condemn him was, nonetheless, the truth, and he did not deny it.

That confession of Jesus, holding to the truth at the ultimate cost, is worth pondering, for it shows both his faithfulness and a pattern for us. Jesus did not deny who he was to escape death; he confessed the truth though it condemned him. And we, in far smaller ways, face moments where confessing the truth of who Christ is, and whose we are, may cost us something. When confessing Christ, or the truth, would be easier to deny or trim to spare yourself, remember that Jesus confessed the truth of who he is even at the cost of his life. Do not deny or trim the truth merely to spare yourself discomfort or cost; hold to it, as Christ held to his confession before the high priest, though it condemned him. The One who confessed the saving truth of who he is, even unto death, calls us to confess him too, holding to the truth at whatever cost, as he held to his confession though it brought the sentence of death.

Lord Jesus, at your trial before the high priest, you were silent through the false testimony brought against you. But when the high priest put you under oath, asking whether you are the Christ, the Son of God, you answered plainly, confessing openly who you are, though you knew this confession would be seized on as blasphemy and used to condemn you to death. Show me that you confessed the truth of who you are, even knowing it would condemn you. You were silent before false charges; but when directly asked, you did not deny it, did not evade, did not trim the truth to save yourself. You confessed openly, though you knew it would bring the sentence of death. You held to the truth of who you are at the cost of your life. That confession is worth pondering, for it shows both your faithfulness and a pattern for me. You did not deny who you were to escape death; you confessed the truth though it condemned you. And I, in far smaller ways, face moments where confessing the truth of who you are, and whose I am, may cost me something. When confessing you, or the truth, would be easier to deny or trim to spare myself, help me remember that you confessed the truth of who you are even at the cost of your life. Keep me from denying or trimming the truth merely to spare myself discomfort or cost; help me hold to it, Lord, as you held to your confession though it condemned you. You confessed the saving truth even unto death; help me confess you too, at whatever cost.