I love the text of Matthew 26 where Jesus was arrested and then taken to the high priest, Caiaphas. As you read the passage found in Matthew 26:57-67 you gain an understanding that Jesus entered in and then sat down silently. As Jesus sat, He waited to see what the “outcome” would be, because they were looking for false evidence against him. Their goal… was the death penalty.
What is amazing in this story is verse 63, “But Jesus remained silent” (NIV). We find a similar passage in Isaiah 53:7 which says, “He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth” (NKJV).
When Jesus does speak later in this account in Matthew 26, He does not speak to plead His case or His innocence. He speaks saying, “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:64). Jesus knew this was the will of the Father and what was to come. However, Jesus’ silence and assurance in who He was, was enough to push the High Priest over the edge as he stood up and tore his clothes declaring that Jesus was speaking blasphemy.
The high priest of Jesus’ own people demanded that he declare himself under oath: “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God” (Matthew 26:63). In other words, “Are you the Messiah, the Promised One, the very Son of God?” And Jesus responded, “You have said so.”
Much like Jesus’ silence I have found a likening to the phrase, “you have said so”. What a simple response talk about being short with someone. However, Jesus has used this exact same phrase before. We find in in looking back to verse 25. Here Jesus is at the Last Supper with the twelve. He has just said in verse 20, “One of you will betray me.” In verse 25 Judas says, “Is it I, Master?” And Jesus says, “You have said so.” This is the very phrase used to answer the high priest in verse 64.
I believe that in both of these situations where Jesus simply said, “you have said so” in response to a question. That the person who has asked the question deep down inside knows the truth, they know the answer but yet they feel so threatened by that truth that there is denial.
How does Jesus respond to this blindness? What does he say to the high priest?
He says basically, the time is coming when YOU WILL SEE! YOU WILL SEE! The day is coming when the truth will come to light.
Verse 64: “Jesus said to him, ‘You have said so.’ But I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
So many times, we find ourselves in situations questioning God, lacking in trust, or wondering if He really is who He says He is. I have heard far too many times people say, “well if He is God…”.
My heart’s desire this morning as I speak to you is that you all would own up to the deep sense of Christ’s truth that is already in your heart.
I believe that if Jesus were to stand visibly in front of you today and you were to ask him, “Are you really the Messiah, the Son of God, the Son of Man, the creator of the universe, the Judge of all the earth before whom every man and woman must give an account?” He would answer, “You have said so.” We do not need more proof. There are other times in our Bibles where we find people asking for proof, some sign, that Jesus was actually the Messiah. However, for me… He said so, and so I believe Him. That is enough for me.
Blessings,
Pastor Jonathan W. Pannell
Matthew 26:57-68
57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.
59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.
Finally, two came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”
62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent.
The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”[e]
65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?”
“He is worthy of death,” they answered.
67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”
Rev. Jonathan W. Pannell III 