NO BIBLE NO BREAKFAST DAILY BIBLE REFLECTIONS AND MORE

COUNCIL IN CRISIS (LUKE 22:66-71)

REFLECTION
The theme of our reflection is “Council in Crisis.” A crisis refers to a period or time of difficulty. The Council in crisis means the Chief Priest and other Jewish leaders had a difficult time settling or coming up with a triable offence to prosecute Jesus. We shall reflect on the fact that when you are innocent, your accusers experience crisis in their camp.

The Jewish leaders saw Jesus as a threat to their power and relevance therefore they conspired to kill Jesus through any means possible. Jesus was popular and was greatly loved by the people. This was seen during His triumphant entry to Jerusalem. When he was ambushed and arrested in the night, the Council was in crisis because they needed according to Roman law they needed to prosecute Jesus on a triable or a criminal offence. It appeared they found none hence they wanted to use Jesus’ own testimony against Him. It was blasphemous for a person to say that he was the Messiah, therefore, they asked Jesus “If you are the Messiah,” they said, “Tell us.” (Luke 22:67) Jesus did answer yes or no and this made their mission more challenging. Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, 68 and if I asked you, you would not answer. 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” (Luke 22:67-69) They appeared more confused and wanted a more definite self-incriminating testimony from Jesus so that they could hold him liable so 70 They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied,“You say that I am.” (Luke 22:67-70) Dear friend although they could not arrive at any substantiated claim made by Jesus to satisfy their quest for prosecution, “…they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.” (Luke 22:71) We find a group of people who were bent on killing an innocent person but had a crisis in their camp because they could not no prosecute him based on any triable offence known to the law. Beloved in the Lord we need discernment and wisdom among our adversaries or enemies. Our enemies will look for every avenue to find fault or ways of accusing but our assurance from Christ is that “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” (Luke 12:11-12)

In summary, we have learned that when we are innocent our accusers or enemies experience crises in their camp. May the Lord vindicate us and cause confusion in the camp of our adversaries.

PRAYER

May the Holy Spirit strengthen us and direct our path even in the camp of our enemies. Amen.