Consider This

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF MARK

CONSIDER THIS

Mark 14:55-61

55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. 57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.'" 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.

NIV

It is amazing how so many will say whatever to get on the good side of the winning team. These witnesses gave false testimony against Jesus because he was no longer the great teacher, healer, driver out of demons and the one they were sure would overthrow both the Romans and the hard core religious leaders and now he is arrested and it looks like they have won the battle, so they side with the winners. But their testimonies do not agree with each other and they only look foolish in the eyes of the chief priest. He cannot use they testimony because it is evident it is false and unworthy of consideration in the case they are trying to build against Jesus in order to have him put to death. It is peculiar how so many will stay so much that conflicts with others when it comes to Jesus. Maybe that is why we have so many denominations today. Each have their own account of what Jesus said, or at least what they thought Jesus said, or how they interpret what Jesus said differing on what he meant by what he said. Some go so far as to imply that there is but only one correct English translation which denotes how he said it. When we actually think of it, how silly to take a theology position, or build our faith based on English that was spoken over two hundred years ago. Others build their faith on what some mere mortal who lived and died determined was the correct way to apply scripture. Still others base their faith on a disagreement with another over a minor word choice of a particular translation. Are we all in some way giving false witness against Jesus because what we say and believe do not agree, even if we think we are right and the rest are wrong, for it appears we all think we are right and the rest are wrong? With all our false testimonies about what Jesus meant by what he said, it is amazing how Jesus still remains silent. We have no clear indication who is really right and who is clearly wrong. We have no shining star over one denominational headquarters and God is not raining down fire on those who falsely teach or interpret what Jesus said. So we are left to ponder if all are statements that do not agree are worthy of consideration at all. What we should be seeing is what Jesus does answer.