Late Thursday Night: I Am

“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.’ ” (Mark 14:61-62)

We come to late Thursday night in this terrible beautiful week. The Jewish religious leaders have finally engineered the arrest and trial of Jesus. They’re squeezing it all in under the cover of darkness, because they’re afraid the people will revolt.

Under intense questioning by the high priest, Jesus had remained silent. Now He answers a direct question with a direct reply about who He is, something He had often chosen not to do. Quoting from Psalms and Daniel, He tells His judges that He is, indeed, the Messiah. More: He will one day judge them while sitting at the right hand of God (at the “resurrection” at the end of time).

If a lie or a delusion, Jesus’ words were blasphemy. The Jewish leaders would be right to silence Him. But if Jesus’ words are true, He is the most amazing person ever to live -- and die and live again -- in human history.

Think: Why do you think it’s hard for some people to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God? Why do you think it seems so much easier for others?

Pray: Thank God for the spiritual vision to believe that Jesus is the Son of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Do: Think of someone you could ask about the high priest’s question this week: “Do you believe that Jesus was the Son of God?”