Mark 14:61–62 …Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Jesus is on trial for his identity. He has been dragged before the Sanhedrin – a court basically, numbering from 23 to 71 men, including the high priest, all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law. In short, men of power who could decide Jesus’ fate and, on some level, they did. But do always bear in mind that Jesus’ death was God’s redemption plan.

The person whose conduct I find interesting is the high priest. Here is a man who clearly is quite conversant with the prophecies concerning an expected one whom he called “The Christ, the Son of the Blessed One.” So, using that title, he asked Jesus about his identity. But when he got the answer in the affirmative, he completely shifted into denial mode, tore his clothes in anger and shouted “Why do we need any more witnesses?” “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” The end result was that they all condemned Jesus to death. (See Mark 14: 63 – 64). To me the high priest exemplifies the difference between knowledge and faith. He had a lot of information but he did not allow himself to believe in the Lord Jesus.

The conduct of these men is proof positive that we are not always interested in hearing the truth. At times we are like little children who put their fingers in their ears and chant: nah, nana, nah, nah! How tragic! What if the high priest had paused long enough to let the second part of what Jesus said register with him? What if he had grabbed hold of the promise: “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven” and made the choice to be among those looking forward to it with great anticipation? He might have lost his position, but he would have gained everlasting life. “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36).