Key Passage
The leading priests and all the Jewish council tried to find something that Jesus had done wrong so they could kill him. But the council could find no proof that would allow them to kill Jesus. Many people came and told false things against Jesus. But the people all said different things—none of them agreed.
— Mark 14:55-56 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
Basically, Jesus' opponents were trying to find a liar or two that they could "rent" for the duration of Jesus' trial. The behavior reminds us once again of two terrible realities. First, religious people can do the most despicable things when they are more concerned with self-preservation than they are about the truth of God. Second, Jesus is about to undergo a gruesome, horribly unfair ordeal. The first should always make us pause and ask for God's guidance and intervention. We should never want our understanding of truth to interfere with his will and his people. The second should drive us to our knees in humility, knowing all that the Lord Jesus has unfairly endured because of his love for us.
Prayer
O God Almighty, you are the one who directs the paths of history and brings kingdoms to nothing when they interfere with your work in the world. Please help me and those with whom I fellowship to never interfere with your will. Please never let me be guilty of wanting to preserve my religious understanding at the expense of your Kingdom, your people, and your will. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Related Scriptures
Why are the people from other nations so angry? Why are they making foolish plans? Their kings and leaders joined together to fight against the Lord and against the king he chose. {Those leaders said,} "Let's rebel against God and against the king he chose. "Let's break free from them!" But my Master, the King in heaven, laughs at those people. God is angry and he tells those people, "I chose this man to be king! And he will rule on Mount Zion. Zion is my special mountain." And that makes those other leaders afraid. Now I will tell you about the Lord's agreement. The Lord said to me, "Today I become your father! And you are my son. If you ask me, I will give the nations to you. All the people on earth will be yours! You could destroy those nations like an iron rod shattering a clay pot. " So, you kings, be wise. All you rulers, learn this lesson. Obey the Lord with much fear. Show that you are loyal to God's son. If you don't do this, he will become angry and destroy you. People who trust the Lord are happy. {But other people should be careful.} The Lord is about ready to show his anger.
— Psalm 2:1-12
There were many Jews that came to visit Mary. They saw what Jesus did. And many of these Jews believed in Jesus. But some of the Jews went to the Pharisees. They told the Pharisees what Jesus did. Then the leading priests and Pharisees called a meeting of the Jewish council. They said, "What should we do? This man (Jesus) is doing many miracles. If we let him continue doing these things, all the people will believe in him. Then the Romans will come and take away our temple and our nation." One of the men there was Caiaphas. He was the high priest that year. Caiaphas said, "You people know nothing! It is better for one man to die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed. But you don't realize this."
— John 11:45-50
I told you that you would die with your sins. Yes, you will die with your sins, if you don't believe that I AM. "
— John 8:24
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