Thursday, March 2, 2017
Mark 14:53-54, 66, 76, 77 And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes. But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. ... Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree. ... as Peter was below in the courtyard ... those who stood by said to Peter, "Surely you are one of them;" ... Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this Man of whom you speak!"
WHERE IS TRUTH TO BE FOUND?
Jesus is on trial in the palace of the High Priest. Peter warms himself by the fire in the courtyard below. These two scenes have too much in common. Won't anyone speak the truth around here?!
Not those appointed to highest court in Israel-- 72 men whose main work was to get at the truth. But where Jesus is concerned the truth is of little or no concern, since their goal is His death. Couldn't find witnesses against Jesus? Buy some. Can't find words of Christ with which to condemn Him? Twist some. And if the prisoner speaks the truth about Himself, brand it a lie. There's no truth here, is there?
And down below in the courtyard? Peter, the most famous disciple of them all, teacher of God’s truth, opens his mouth only to utter lies, each time stronger than the one before.
The Sanhedrin would not seek the truth. Peter would not speak the truth. But it doesn't stop there. We too have failed to seek and to speak the truth always. Sadly, like Peter, too often our worst sin against the truth is our failure to speak the truth about Jesus, to declare the Gospel of forgiveness when God gives us the chance.
Won't anyone speak the truth in love-- all the time, no matter what the personal cost?
Jesus did. Still does. Jesus spoke the truth about Himself for the sake of those unfaithful Jewish elders. For Peter He spoke words of warning, and then with a look caused them to ring anew in Peter's ears.
Jesus still speaks the truth. For our sakes. He leads us also to look square at our lies and to repent; to put aside all our excuses and to place our faith not in our manipulations but in Him.
Jesus is still the Way, the Truth and the Life. Ever He speaks the truth about the Father’s love, the Son's Sacrifice, the Spirit's power, the truth about forgiveness for dishonesty and every other sin, purchased and won for us on the cross.
