MARK 14:53-72 TRUTH AND DECEPTION The religious leaders had gathered in the night expecting the betrayal of Judas to end with Jesus being brought before them - in spite of the law against such a night-time gathering. These men had already prejudged the Lord Jesus and were using any means possible to see Him dead - in spite of the law against such a decision. In the role he had because of his heritage, the high priest was prepared to put on a display of incensed holiness and tore his garments - in spite of the illegality of such a display of false holiness. When truth is at the bar of justice, whether it be at the at the throne of God, the court of mans' law, or the council of elders at a church meeting - it does not need to fear the lies that likely will be told. At the end of any such event, truth is not harmed by a lie. It may suffer, be reproached and be denied, but in the end, truth will win the approval of God. God has purposes in mind that may take one through the course of being
"despised and rejected of men," but the man or woman of faith will trust God to do whatever is necessary for His glory.
Twisting of words that have been spoken in a particular context, and implying they meant something different is not an uncommon practice when one person is seeking to condemn another. The appearance of holiness is only a pretense to cover the choice an accuser makes when he chooses to be deliberately blind to the truth.
Truth uses words in the context of which it was spoken. Truth uses intelligence diligently to illuminate areas of choice when an event is clouded or obscured. Silence in the face of lies is a testimony to the effectiveness of truth. When a dishonest question is asked and deception is obviously the goal, truth refuses to be led into that trap. But when an honest question is asked, no matter what the intent behind it is, truth gives an honest and precise answer. No one misunderstood the answer the Lord Jesus gave to the high priest as to whether He was the "Son of the Blessed." The priest knew what the Lord Jesus Christ had claimed as to His Person. The Lord had no choice but to give that question a precise and definite answer.
To follow the steps of Peter that night is to follow behind a devoted man. He had gone a bit farther into the garden than most of the others. When the Lord was betrayed by the kiss of Judas, Peter reached for his sword to defend the Lord against a whole company of armed men. When the others forsook the Lord as He was led away, Peter at least followed afar off. That was the action of a devoted man. When the Lord was taken into the high priest's palace, Peter followed close enough to see what was happening. His heart was in the right place. His faith in the Lord Jesus being "the Christ, the Son of the living God," never failed. It was his hope that failed. When he was laughed at and challenged by a maid, his courage failed. He truly loved the Lord That is what brought him to that place. Perhaps he thought the palace of the high priest would be a fitting place to claim His kingdom. The four times the Lord had told them of His betrayal, death, burial and resurrection, seems to have bee totally misunderstood.
Peter lied about his own faith. He still had faith in Christ, but in his denial, he wounded his own soul. Peter never stopped loving the Lord even when his courage failed. There was light in Peter that brought him to that place but failed under the taunting words of a young woman. We should never claim we would never have done what Peter did. Strong men can become weak in the most unexpected ways at the most unexpected times. It was himself Peter really denied, when he said three times over, he did not know the Lord. The look of the Lord Jesus probably conveyed the thought, "Why are you denying yourself? Why are you wounding yourself?" The tears that flowed were evidence that love had not died, faith had not failed. The tears of Peter remind us of the fact when one has believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and confessed Him as Lord, even though hope and courage may fail, the work of God within that has made a person a new creation in Christ, will not fail. We have a new nature that is sensitive to the will and ways of God.
Fabricated accusations were made against the Lord. Those who want to find fault often do it by twisting words. They did it to the Lord Himself in spite of His perfection. When we live by faith in Him, others will seek our condemnation.
The beauty of silence in the face of lies, is eventually it stops voices That are raised against righteousness and truth because of sinful choices. When silence rules and an honest question is asked, then is the time to speak. The result will be deception will separate from those, who the truth seek.
An answer in as few words as possible often is the best way to reply. Truth has an impact of its own that those who hear cannot deny. It stands out like a light in darkness, like calm in the midst of a storm. It shines like jewels against the blackness, when truth the speaker adorns.
We dare not say we will never fail, our humanity at best is frail. It is not always that we can see ahead as to what telling the truth entails. But even when we lose our hope and feel we have denied our faith - The grief we have and the tears we shed are evidence of a work of grace.
When the time comes and we seem to have lost our courage, take a look at Him. A look at the Savior melts the heart and drives us to confess our sin. He is faithful even though we are not, on His love we can depend. By His forgiveness and available strength, we can endure to the end.
To see the Savior face to face is a hope and joy awaiting me. Exactly what He will say first to me, I don't know, but I will rejoice to see
The One who knows me inside out, from whose searching I cannot hide. In perfect fellowship with Him I will be able then to abide.
"Gracious Father, my prayer this morning is that I will always be committed to the truth, to doing the truth and saying the truth in full fellowship with Thee. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen."