Before The Sanhedrin, Then To Pilate

THE night is drawing to a close. Peter has denied Jesus for the third time, and the members of the Sanhedrin have finished with their mock trial and have dispersed. However, as soon as it becomes dawn Friday morning, they meet again, this time at their Sanhedrin hall. Their purpose likely is to give some appearance of legality to the night trial. When Jesus is brought before them, they say, as they did during the night: "If you are Christ, tell us." Even if I told you, you would not believe it," Jesus answers. "Moreover, If I questioned you, you would not answer." However, Jesus courageously points to his identity, saying: "From n ow on the Son of man will be sitting at the powerful right hand of God."

"Are you, therefore, the Son of God?" All of them want to know. Your yourselves are saying I am," Jesus replies. For these men intent on murder, this answer is sufficient. They consider it blasphemy. "Why do we need further witness?" They ask. "For we ourselves have heard it out of his own mouth." So they bind Jesus, lead him away, and hand him over to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.

Judas, Jesus' betrayer, has been observing the proceedings. When he sees that Jesus has been condemned, he feels remorse. So he goes to the chief priests and older men to return the 30 pieces of silver, explaining: "I sinned when I betrayed righteous blood." "What is that to us? You must see to that!" They heartlessly reply. So Judas throws the silver pieces into the temple and goes off to hang himself. However, the branch to which Judas ties the rope apparently breaks and his body plunges to the rocks below, where it bursts apart.

The chief priests are not sure what to do with the silver pieces. "Is is not lawful to drop them into the sacred treasury," they conclude, "because they are the price of blood." So, after consulting together, they purchase with the money the potter's field to bury strangers. The field thus comes to be called "Field of Blood."

Next time: Conclusion of Before The Sanhedrin, Then To Pilate

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived,1991