This weekend, we were honored to have Pastor Eric Shelner, our Congregation Pastor of Hope Church Boulder City, with us. He preached from Mark 14:53–65, where Jesus stands before the council.
As we studied the scriptures, we learned that even when life doesn’t go the way we hoped, God’s plan for our lives is still perfect. If you’re in a hard season, this message is for you – give it a listen.
Sermon Notes
The Gospel of Mark Truth on Trial // Mark 14:53-65
“And they led Jesus to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together. And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire. Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, ‘We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.” Yet even about this their testimony did not agree. And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, ‘Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?’ But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?’ And Jesus said, ‘I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.’ And the high priest tore his garments and said, ‘What further witnesses do we need? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?’ And they all condemned him as deserving death. And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, ‘Prophesy!’ And the guards received him with blows.” Mark 14:53-65
1. Jesus is Confronted by a Corrupt Council
“Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, ‘We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.” Yet even about this their testimony did not agree.” Mark 14:55-59
“The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.” Mark 3:6
“It is difficult to count up all the violations of Jewish las. For example, in capital cases like Jesus’, trials at night were forbidden. In cases where a guilty verdict was reached, a second day and session were required to ensure a fair trial. Such a trial should not convene on a Sabbath or festival. In addition, a charge of blasphemy could not be sustained unless the defendant cursed God’s name, and then the penalty was to be death by stoning, not crucifixion. In Jesus’ care no formal meeting of the Sanhedrin ever took place in the temple precincts, which is the proper location for a trial. Nor was Jesus provided or even offered a defense attorney.” Daniel Akin
“…‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles.’” Mark 10:34
Truth #1: God is not surprised by injustice
2. Jesus is Silent Before the Sanhedrin
“And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, ‘Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?’ But he remained silent and made no answer.” Mark 14:60-61a
“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.” Isaiah 53:7
Truth #2: God’s plan is perfect, even when it isn’t what we expected.
“Though motivated by pure evil and hatred, and though using illegal and unjust means to condemn the Son of God, the Jewish leaders were nonetheless fulfilling the redemptive purposes of His Father. Their abject wickedness would be used to magnify God’s perfect righteousness.” John MacArthur
3. Jesus is Bold Before the Belligerent
“Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?’ And Jesus said, ‘I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.’” Mark 14:61b-62
“Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am.’ And he said, ‘Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:13-14
“What God is saying to Moses is…I am at the center of everything. I am running the show. I am the same everyday forever. I am the owner of everything. I am the Lord. I am the creator and sustainer of life. I am the savior you need. I am more than enough. I am inexhaustible and immeasurable. I am God.” Louie Giglio
“And Jesus said, ‘I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.’” Mark 14:62
Truth #3: Jesus will have the final word
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’” Romans 12:19
“And the high priest tore his garments and said, ‘What further witnesses do we need? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?’ And they all condemned him as deserving death. And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, ‘Prophesy!’ And the guards received him with blows.” Mark 14:63-65
4. Jesus is Calm When Condemned
“And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.” Mark 10:34
Truth #4: Our Savior Endured Horrific Suffering in Our Place
What will you do with the truth?
“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is the Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” Romans 10:9-10
