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 some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’ ” Yet even then their testimony 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.
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. (Mark 14:55-65 NIV)
How could they do that? That thought crosses my mind every time I hear about Jesus’ trial. You want to talk about injustice? It’s almost unimaginable. After he was arrested, Jesus was dragged before the Sanhedrin—the Jewish ruling council. The Sanhedrin was made up of 71 people, including the chief priests, the elders, the experts in the law, and their leader—the high priest Caiaphas. These were the most religious people in Israel. But here was their goal: “The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death.” They weren’t looking for the truth. They were looking for any possible excuse to kill Jesus. It’s appalling. The worst injustice in the history of the world. How could they do that?
The irony is that “they did not find any.” The most powerful people in Israel were looking for any reason to accuse Jesus, but they did not find any! It wasn’t for lack of trying. “Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him, ‘We heard him say, “I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.”’ Yet, even then their testimony did not agree.” Ever heard of a kangaroo court? This was it! All lies. But Jesus remained silent.
Finally, the high priest took matters into his own hands. He stood up and asked Jesus, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” Caiaphas got right to the heart of the matter: “Jesus are you the promised Savior, the Son of God?” Jesus finally spoke: “I am.” “The high priest tore his clothes. ‘Why do we need any more witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?’ They all condemned him as worthy of death.” What a show! After encouraging all sorts of false testimony, the high priest tore his robes as if he were righteous. They all pretended to be defending God’s honor as they condemned God’s Son to death. How could they do that?
There’s a word for all that: Hypocrisy. Do you know what that means? Hypocrisy is when you pretend to be one person on the outside, but you’re someone totally different on the inside. Hypocrisy is like living with a mask on your face to make yourself look good, while evil lives in your heart. The Sanhedrin pretended to be seeking justice, but they condemned an innocent man. They claimed to be concerned about God, but they were only concerned about themselves. Their true colors came out after Jesus was condemned. “Some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, ‘Prophesy!’” So much for being the “good” guys! They were hypocrites. Hypocrisy is disgusting. How could they do that? At least we’re not like that!
Are we? This makes me think of a man who actually stood up for the truth: Ravi Zacharias. Have you heard of him? Ravi grew up in India and later traveled all over the world teaching people about Jesus. He was a Christian preacher and apologist. That’s a fancy way to say that he believed the Bible is true and did everything he could to defend the Bible’s truth against the false ideas of our world. For 40 years, he told people about Jesus. This past May 19th, Ravi died from cancer at the age of 74. It’s good there are still people standing up for God’s truth!
Except, immediately after Ravi died, reports started surfacing. Sexual harassment. Misconduct. Even rape. And not just one woman. Woman after woman. Not just in the U.S. Around the world. From all the places Ravi had traveled to. Of course, his family and friends vigorously defended him. “Not Ravi! That wasn’t him. There’s no way he could do that! These are just more lies trying to silence God’s truth!” In fact, this past September the ministry he founded hired private investigators to silence the critics once and for all. People need to hear the truth!
This past week, those investigators revealed the truth: It was true. All of it was true. Ravi Zacharias lived a double life. As he preached and taught so many people about Jesus, he used his ministry to excuse and even justify a secret, sinful lifestyle. He had one mask on when he was in front of the crowds or the camera and another mask on when he was alone with women. There’s a word for that. Remember? Hypocrisy. Hypocrisy didn’t stop with Caiaphas. It’s alive and well in the Christian Church. Now there’s more ammunition for people who don’t believe in God: “Christians are hypocrites!” We groan and say, “How could he do that? This isn’t who we are!”
Or is it? I can remember about a decade ago when a different Christian pastor was shown to be a hypocrite and a fraud. When he heard the news, an old pastor I knew shook his head and said, “The root of every sin lies in every human heart.” I’ve never forgotten that. It’s true. “The root of every sin lies in every human heart.” In your heart. In my heart. “I could never commit adultery.” Sure you could! “I could never steal.” Yeah, right. Of course you could! We work so hard to project a positive image. We put on different masks depending on the situation. We can look good! But “the root of every sin is found in every human heart.” Whatever sin, I could do that!
Actually, it’s worse than that. It’s not just, “I could do that.” It’s, “I do that” or “I’ve done that.” Ash Wednesday is a day to tell the truth. To repent. So here’s the truth: I’m more concerned about your sins than my sins. I’m more ready to judge you than me. Condemning others while turning a blind eye to my sins? That’s me. Blaming others for the problems my sins are causing? That’s me. Putting a smile on my face while my heart is filled with bitterness? That’s me. And do you know what that makes me? A hypocrite. On Ash Wednesday, we realize who we really are. If we look at those Jewish leaders and say, “That’s not us!” Oh, yes it is! We were there. Our sins were there. Condemning Jesus to the cross. Self-righteously tearing our robes. Hypocrites.
There is only one person in the whole world who is exactly who he says he is. Do you know who it is? Jesus. Jesus is the only One who is exactly who he says he is. Think of this: There were 71 highly trained investigators—the members of the Sanhedrin—examining Jesus’ life every day for three years. They looked for any and every reason to accuse him. Know what they found? Nothing. “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.” That’s an amazing statement! There was no hypocrisy in Jesus. His life and his teachings matched up perfectly. All they could throw at him was this question: “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” He said, “I am.”
Those words, “I am,” should sound familiar to you. They are some of Jesus’ favorite words. Actually, I hope they are some of your favorite words. Here’s why: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35). “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep” (John 10:11). “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11:25-26). “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit” (John 15:5). Can you see how special those two little words are? “I am.”
This is the gospel! Jesus is exactly who he says he is: “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am.” We’re not. We’re not perfect. We’re not good. We’re not selfless. But Jesus is. He says, “I am. I am the Savior. I am the bread of life. I am the light of the world. I am the resurrection and the life. I am the way, the truth, and the life. I am the vine.” Are you tired of the hypocrisy? Unlike us, Jesus is the one person who is exactly who he says he is: Our Savior!
And Jesus said one more thing to those chief priests: “You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” One day, those chief priests will see Jesus for who he really is. Actually, one day their roles will be completely reversed. On Judgment Day, Jesus will come on the clouds, and the One who was judged will be the Judge. Not a hypocritical judge like Caiaphas. He won’t call any false witnesses. In fact, he won’t need any witnesses at all. The thoughts of our hearts will be revealed. All hypocrisy will be exposed. Are you ready for that day? Jesus was calling Caiaphas to repent. Jesus is calling us to repent!
How can we stand on that day? With our hypocrisy, with our sin, how can we stand? Well, one of those accusations against Jesus actually had some truth. Jesus really did say, “I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.” Do you know what he was talking about? His body. Himself. Jesus was going to be destroyed and in three days raised again. Why? To save us! Jesus died. For you. For me. For our sins. To forgive us. Then, after three days, he rose. His death paid for our hypocrisy. His life gives us life. Jesus knows exactly who you are. And do you know what he still did? He lived a perfect life for you. He died for you. He rose for you. So you don’t have to hide. Or pretend. You’re forgiven!
God’s Word takes our “How could they?” and turns it into “How could I?” God’s Word takes our “I could never” and shows us that “I could and I have…” God’s Word silences our “It’s their fault” and turns it into “Have mercy on me.” Every day is a day for repentance. Because when I see who I really am, then I can see who Jesus really is: The Savior. For me. For you. It’s only when you’re amazed at how sinful your heart is that you can truly be amazed at how gracious our Savior is. The question isn’t “How could they do that?” I know how, and I’ve done it too. Sinned. That’s me. The question is “Why did Jesus do that—the suffering and the dying and the rising?” Because he is. He is the Messiah. He is the Light. He is the Way. For us. That’s Jesus. The hypocrisy can go. The pretending can stop. The forgiveness has come. We have a Savior!
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