Jesus as Messiah

No where else is Jesus as definitive about being the messiah

Without getting too deep in the weeds, Jesus’ statement in this passage is easily his most public and powerful declaration of his messiahship. He’s using language from both Daniel 7 and Psalm 110 that, together, declare his role as eschatological messiah and the exalted Lord.

Jesus rarely calls himself the messiah. In fact, the only time he even really does so is in a one-on-one conversation with the Samaritan woman in John 4. Any other time, he simply slightly affirms someone else saying it (i.e. Peter) or simply by not saying anything at all.

Here in Matthew 26:64, while he doesn’t use the word “messiah,” it would be clear to the high priest exactly that Jesus is saying. Hence the tearing of his clothes. Sometimes people think the high priest is just being dramatic. But he is not. What Jesus was saying would be profoundly blasphemous.

But how did we get here? From the disciples’ perspective (or all those who were following Jesus at the time), was it a shock? Jesus had been telling at least the twelve closest disciples that something would happen. But can you imagine the shock of going from Jesus compassionately healing those in need and teaching about the kingdom to being arrested and standing in chains before the high priest?

This is an example of when things can escalate beyond control. Even though we might see signs of trouble, we dismiss them and hope they go away. Often, they do. But sometimes, a little bit of smoke is indeed the sign of a coming conflagration.

So what do we do during those times? Holding firm to our convictions is obviously what we want to do, but too often, people fade and shrink, like the disciples at Jesus’ arrest.

Matthew 26:57-68

Those who arrested Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest. The legal experts and the elders had gathered there. Peter followed him from a distance until he came to the high priest’s courtyard. He entered that area and sat outside with the officers to see how it would turn out.

The chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they could put him to death. They didn’t find anything they could use from the many false witnesses who were willing to come forward. But finally they found two who said, “This man said, ‘I can destroy God’s temple and rebuild it in three days.’”

Then the high priest stood and said to Jesus, “Aren’t you going to respond to the testimony these people have brought against you?”

But Jesus was silent.

The high priest said, “By the living God, I demand that you tell us whether you are the Christ, God’s Son.”

“You said it,” Jesus replied. “But I say to you that from now on you’ll see the Human One sitting on the right side of the Almighty and coming on the heavenly clouds.”

Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He’s insulting God! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, you’ve heard his insult against God. What do you think?”

And they answered, “He deserves to die!” Then they spit in his face and beat him. They hit him and said, “Prophesy for us, Christ! Who hit you?”

Prayer

God,

Help me to recognize the signs of the times. I don’t want to be either a pitchfork-wielding nitwit nor an ignorant bump on a log. So give me the resolution and fortitude to be a person of integrity, compassion, and wisdom when times get tough.

By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.