[Salvation]

March 13, 2007

The Sanhedrin

The word “Sanhedrin” comes from a Greek word that means “sitting together.” The term was used for the supreme council of the Jews which first appeared some 200 years before Christ.

As best one can tell, at the time of Chris this council had 71 members from three classes: The elders, the present and former high priests and the scribes.

In effect, the Sanhedrin was the “supreme court” of Jewish people, with competence in both religious and secular matters. It had the power of arrest and its own police.

After the Temple was destroyed in 70 A, D, the Sanhedrin moved from place to place in Israel, and finally went out of existence.

* * * * * *

In the Acts of the Apostles, Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin, and Gamaliel, one of its leaders, stood up and made a famous speech:
Have nothing to do with these men . . .
For it this endeavor or this activity is
of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if
it comes from God, you will not be able to
destroy it.

The rest is history.

[Salvation]

Tuesday – Third Week of Lent

The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward who stated, “This man said, ‘I can destroy the Temple of God and within three days rebuild it.’” (Mt. 26:59:61)

Matthew emphasizes how unprincipled the Sanhedrin was – they were seeking false testimony. After several failed attempts, they finally hit on something they could use.

The religious leaders had probably heard rumors of what Jesus had said about the need to reform Temple worship. Five chapters earlier in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus had turned over the tables of some of the money changers – “cleansing” the Temple. All this made them nervous.

There is an old Latin saying about the Church – “semper reformanda” – which means “always in need of reform.” We never were a perfect Church, and never will be a perfect Church until this world ends. But it’s hard to let go of things that need to change. It was so from the beginning. In the Acts of the Apostles, we read of how hard it was for Peter to accept Gentiles into the community of disciples.

It’s easier to think about reform in “the Church” than reform in me. But all of us together are the Church. The reform most within reach is the reform of me. Which happens to be what Lent is about. Any thoughts about “the reform of me?”

Spend some quiet time with the Lord.