What Do You Have to Say for Yourself?

DAILY DEVOTIONAL October 3 - 8 “Subpoenaed” Monday, October 3 Matthew 26:57-68 “What do you have to say for yourself?” The Jewish high council, called the Sanhedrin, was already in session, waiting for Jesus to be brought before them. They had sought for some time to gain evidence that would provide a charge against Jesus, specifically, at least two witnesses who agreed, false or not. Finally they found two who both declared that Jesus had said he was able to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. When Jesus expressed no words of defense against this false charge, Caiaphas forced his hand by using the Oath of Testimony of the Hebrew Constitution which all are bound to answer: “I demand in the name of the living God that you tell us . . . “ Jesus’ response, “It is as you said,” gave Caiaphas what he wanted. When it appeared the trial was breaking down, he had compelled Jesus to agree that he is the Christ, the Son of God. Caiaphas cried, “Blasphemy,” and the Sanhedrin shouted, “He is guilty of death.” Studies have shown that the trial of Jesus was illegitimately conducted with at least nine illegalities according to Jewish law.

I am humbled that you suffered false accusation and trial for my sake, Lord. Amen.

Tuesday, October 4 Matthew 27:11-23

“Jesus was standing before Pilate” Pilate is the governor of the Roman province of Judea, the person sent by Rome to keep order. Jesus has been accused of claiming to be a king, a claim that put him in direct opposition to Roman authority. Pilate’s question is in response to this charge, and Jesus’ answer was made with the same reserve and courtesy that he had shown before the Sanhedrin, yet it was clearly unambiguous. Pilate and the Sanhedrin did not get along and, being aware of the Jewish leaders’ envy of Jesus’ popularity and how threatened they felt by Jesus’ success, Pilate seemed disappointed in Jesus not having a defense that would allow him to release Jesus and thereby thwart the Jewish leaders’ clear intent to have him declare the death penalty for Jesus. Caught between the pressure of the Sanhedrin and the policy of Rome not to condemn people unjustly, which he clearly felt he would be doing with Jesus, Pilate proposed a trade. He would substitute Barabbas, arrested for the very crime which they were attributing to Jesus, and offer to release Jesus. However, under Jewish leadership persuasion, the crowd demanded Jesus’ death.

Although the crowds choose Barabbas rather than you, Lord, I choose you. Amen.

Wednesday, October 5 Acts 4:1-23 “They were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John” One of the signs of the power of the Holy Spirit at work in the believer is boldness. In the Greek language, the word for “boldness” used of Peter and John in verse 13 is parresia which literally means “telling all.” It means the conviction, communication, and character of a person based on undeniable truth and experience. Boldness brings attention, compelling people to listen. It combines the emphasis of “I know this is true because it’s happened to me” with a “thus saith the Lord” clarity. The name of Jesus was the key to the boldness of the apostles. The Lord had promised that he would be with them and whatever they asked in his name would be given them. It was in the name of Jesus that they had healed the lame man who now stood with them before the Sanhedrin as a living testimony. At that time, the word “name” meant the nature, personality, authority, and power of a person. To speak or act in the name of another was to invoke his presence and power. Strengthen me to be bold for you, Lord, by trusting in the power of your name. Amen. DAILY DEVOTIONAL October 3 - 8 “Subpoenaed” Thursday, October 6 Acts 21:37 – 22:23 “Listen to me as I offer my defense” Paul told his story in a way that glorified Christ and dignified the Christian movement. Here is a dramatic “before-and-after” account of the transformation of a human being. It is witnessing at its very best. Paul described the man he was and the man Christ had enabled him to be. At each stage of his evolving witness he clarified that it was Christ who had changed him. The careful recounting of his conversations with the Lord established the truth that Jesus Christ was alive, and he was the guiding Lord of Paul’s life. The Jews in Jerusalem listened to Paul until he touched the raw nerve of their predetermined prejudice. The word “Gentiles” did it. It may be hard for us to imagine their reaction to this word, for “Gentiles” has no such effect today. We, however, have other words which cause the same paralysis of mind and hearing, for most of us have some prejudice which, when touched, acts as an immediate stop to reason. Paul knew his audience. Still, he did not sidestep the issue but was clear that the Lord had sent him to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. I will give witness to you, Lord, for you are alive in me. Amen.

Friday, October 7 Acts 22:30 – 23:11 “I am on trial because my hope is in the resurrection of the dead” The reason Paul could courageously stand before the awesome assembly of the rulers of Israel and make his bold claim of integrity and then admit his error in the way he spoke to the high priest was the risen Christ. The charges against him were that he was teaching disobedience to the Law and the customs of Moses. He proclaimed Jesus to be the Messiah, that he had risen from the dead, and that he was the present, reigning Lord of Israel. This brought out the old hatred of the Jewish leadership against Jesus, who they thought they had defeated when he was crucified. Christ was not only shown to be who he said he was by the resurrection, but clearly taught that through him we too will be resurrected. Death has no power over us. We are alive forever. But our realization of the resurrection does not have to wait until the moment of our physical death. When we surrender our lives to Christ, we are raised to a new level of intimate companionship with him. Hope results that out of our impossibilities the Lord will raise up possibilities which we could hardly imagine. Help me seek places of service, Lord, rather than places of honor. Amen.

Saturday, October 8 Acts 24:1-21 “Tertullus laid charges against Paul” Paul, having been arrested in Jerusalem, is taken under heavy Roman guard (in order to protect him from a Jewish threat against his life) to Caesarea where the Roman governor Felix was residing. Five days later, his Jewish accusers arrived in Caesarea well prepared to make their charges against Paul. Their trial lawyer, Tertullus, accused Paul of being a troublemaker among the Jews and an insurrectionist against Rome. When the Apostle was given an opportunity to speak, he defended himself by establishing all that he had in common with his accusers and his love for his nation of Israel. Then he carefully pointed out that he worshiped the God of their fathers, believing only what had been clearly predicted in their Scriptures. His contention was that the biblical promises had been fulfilled and that through Christ the resurrection had happened. Thus, he shifted the emphasis off the charge of insurrection and focused the issue on a difference of theology, something which did not concern the Roman court. By sticking to his central message of the risen Lord he won the day. Our central message, Lord, continues to be that you are risen. Amen.