57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole Council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61 and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” 62 And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgement?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67 Then they spat in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”
But, continuing the thought of yesterday's Note, the sin of Eden was something else also. It was the expression of a revolt against the rightful authority of God and as such treasonable. These are the charges against man as sinner. And they were laid on Christ when He took our place. Hence the significance of our Lord's attitude during the trial. In 53 He had spoken of His power to summon legions of angels to help Him. But this He did not do. We see Him silent and unprotesting before His accusers, submitting to the injustice of the trial without demur. Why? Are we to suppose He could not have out-argued them in pleading His cause? Is this why He was silent? Or was it to show an example of noble patience and forbearance? Doubtless His attitude does teach us this, but there is surely something much deeper and more important for us to learn. The conclusion we are meant to draw is that, if He could have defended Himself but did not, then He chose to be found guilty, and He chose this because He was standing in for us.