Matthew 26:60-61 

New International Version (NIV)

But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

Finally, two came forward and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

For Meditation
The High Court of the land sat in high spirits, with the presiding Chief Justice, Caiaphas. “We finally have Him,” he may have congratulated himself. The other justices – the teachers of the law and the elders of Israel, cheerfully settled for the inquisition. The people packed the room to capacity and murmured with diverse opinions.

In the open courtyard, a campfire lit the early morning skies as a cold breeze whispered through the gate and windows of the court. Among the crowd warming themselves by the fire stood Peter, who had followed Jesus and the arresting band of soldiers at a distance. He was struggling to hide his identity, but for how long? Nonetheless, Peter keyed in to listen to the trial of all time – God at the mercy of His creation. What irony!

“Order,” the court officer shouted—a hush swept through the courtroom.

The prosecutor struggled with his evidence. Some false witnesses tried to help but they could not point out anything that incriminated Jesus. They knew the law and were fully aware of the accused’s innocence. But they were determined to get Him anyway.

Finally, they pushed two people forward as prosecuting witnesses. With shameless audacity, they declared, “This fellow said, “I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days” (v.61).  However, is that what Jesus said?

John gives us the proper testimony in John 2:19. “Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”

The people demanded a sign from Jesus to prove His authority to clear the temple at the beginning of his ministry (18). He gave the ultimate response, but they did not understand Him. Jesus told them what they would do to Him and what He would do with their wickedness on Calvary. He talked about spiritual things, but their ears were dull and earthily tuned. So, before the High Court of Israel, His treasured people used the sign of Jesus’s Messianic assignment against Him.

Have you been misunderstood in such a cruel way before? Have the people you love so much for whom you were doing everything ever used your well-intentioned words to destroy you? Have you ever felt so lonely in a challenging moment like that?
Take heart, for you are in excellent company. Christ, who suffered the injustice of the Jewish and Roman courts for your sake, will bear you through every injustice and dejection you suffer for His name’s sake. But rest assured that final victory will certainly dawn, and time will entirely vindicate you as the resurrection vindicated Christ on the third day.

So, when people misunderstand you, lean on Jesus for consolation, for there is no resurrection without the cross.

Prayer:

Lord, when we are hurting because we are misunderstood, give us grace to respond as you did under extreme provocation. It is for your glory and honor in Christ Jesus. Amen.