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.”
Matt 26:63-64 (ESV)
Jesus is in Control
The hour is at hand (Matt 26:45). The pace on the path to Jesus' crucifixion now picks up. So many things to happen and in such a short period of time.
It is Maundy Thursday, mandate Thursday. Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum, from which we get our English word "mandate." It is called Maundy Thursday because it is the day that the Lord gives his disciples a mandate (a command): "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." (John 13:34; 15:12, ESV) It is Maundy Thursday because Jesus is the One who gives the commands. Jesus is the One in control.
It is the day...
In it all, Jesus is in control.
Others think He is powerless, just another criminal to be mocked (Matt 26:67-68), but Jesus is in control. He knew who His betrayer was, when He was to be betrayed, and where He was to be betrayed. (Matt 26:45-46) He could have avoided all of this: the mocking, the beating, the crucifixion to come, but Jesus is in control. He choses not the path of escape and comfort but the path of redemption, to do His Father's will. (Matt 26:39)
And who is in control of His conviction? Jesus. The Jewish leaders could not control the trial they had orchestrated; they cannot find the witnesses they need to convict Jesus of a crime worthy of death. (Matt 26:59-60)
But Jesus, He is in control. Jesus is the one who controls His own conviction. He is the one who says that words that will condemn Him because He IS the Christ, the Messiah, to be the sacrifice for sin. The high priest says the words but he did not know. Jesus is the Christ. And so Jesus must confirm that He is the Messiah for others cannot do it: "63 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.' 64a Jesus said to him, 'You have said so.'" (Matt 26:63-64a)
Jesus is in control.
It is Maundy Thursday, mandate Thursday. Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum, from which we get our English word "mandate." It is called Maundy Thursday because it is the day that the Lord gives his disciples a mandate (a command): "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." (John 13:34; 15:12, ESV) It is Maundy Thursday because Jesus is the One who gives the commands. Jesus is the One in control.
It is the day...
- the day of passover, of a new covenant, of establishing the Lord's Supper (Matt 26:17-29),
- the day of washing of feet (John 13:1-11)
- the day betrayal occurs (Matt 26:21,45-50),
- the day denial is prophesied (Matt 26:33-35),
- the day prayer is made in the garden (Matt 26:36-44),
- the day the arrest is made (Matt 26:47-56),
- the day a trial is held (Matt 26:57-68),
- the day that denial happens (Matt 26:69-75),
- the day the true Messiah is revealed. (Matt 26:63-64)
In it all, Jesus is in control.
Others think He is powerless, just another criminal to be mocked (Matt 26:67-68), but Jesus is in control. He knew who His betrayer was, when He was to be betrayed, and where He was to be betrayed. (Matt 26:45-46) He could have avoided all of this: the mocking, the beating, the crucifixion to come, but Jesus is in control. He choses not the path of escape and comfort but the path of redemption, to do His Father's will. (Matt 26:39)
And who is in control of His conviction? Jesus. The Jewish leaders could not control the trial they had orchestrated; they cannot find the witnesses they need to convict Jesus of a crime worthy of death. (Matt 26:59-60)
But Jesus, He is in control. Jesus is the one who controls His own conviction. He is the one who says that words that will condemn Him because He IS the Christ, the Messiah, to be the sacrifice for sin. The high priest says the words but he did not know. Jesus is the Christ. And so Jesus must confirm that He is the Messiah for others cannot do it: "63 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.' 64a Jesus said to him, 'You have said so.'" (Matt 26:63-64a)
Jesus is in control.