Mark 14:60-65: a reflection

60The high priest stood up in the middle, and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is it which these testify against you?” 61But he stayed quiet, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 62Jesus said, “I am. You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of the sky.” 63The high priest tore his clothes and said, “What further need have we of witnesses? 64You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?” They all condemned him to be worthy of death. 65Some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to beat him with fists, and to tell him, “Prophesy!” The officers struck him with the palms of their hands.

On trial for his life, Jesus stands before the high priest, who demands to know whether he is the Christ, the Son of the Blessed. Through all the false accusations, Jesus had stayed silent, but to this question he answers plainly: I am. And he adds that they will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven. In the very hour of his humiliation, he declares who he truly is and what he will one day be seen to be.

The response is fury and abuse. The high priest tears his robes and calls it blasphemy; the council condemns him; and then, Mark tells us soberly, some began to spit on him and strike him and mock him. The One who spoke the universe into being submits to this treatment without retaliation. He could have called down the power he had just named, but he chose to endure the shame, standing silent under the blows for the sake of those he came to save.

Two things are worth carrying from this scene. First, Jesus was completely honest about who he is, even when the truth cost him everything; his I am was spoken into the face of death. Second, he bore the mockery and violence for you, absorbing shame he did not deserve so that you could be forgiven. Let his fearless confession give you courage to own him before others, and let his silent suffering move you to grateful love for the Savior who endured so much in your place.

Lord Jesus, on trial for your life you confessed the truth of who you are, and then bore mockery and blows without retaliating, all for my sake. Give me courage to own you before others as fearlessly as you owned the truth before your accusers. And let my heart be filled with gratitude for the shame you endured in my place, that I might be forgiven. Amen.