Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need have we of witnesses? You have now heard the blasphemy; what is your opinion?” They said in reply, “He deserves to die! Then they spat in his face and struck him, while some slapped him saying, “Prophesy for us, Messiah; who is it that struck you?”(Mt. 26:65:68)
During Jesus’ ministry, there were failed attempts by the religious leaders to trip him up in speech. Now they’ve got him. Jesus just incriminated himself by claiming prerogatives that belong only to God.
The rest of the Sanhedrin agrees, and a death sentence is rendered.
It’s done today in just about every sector, and not by extremists but by the regular folk. For example, studies show that “in your face” rudeness is rampant in the U. S. workplace.
But it’s also present in homes, and in parishes. When there is disagreement on a parish or school issue, righteous rudeness easily erupts.
To be on the receiving end of insulting taunts, to be heckled, is an awful thing. Yet, Jesus took it in silence.
To be on the giving end is worse. It is the deliberate torture of another human being, and it poisons our soul.
We’ve all got excuses to justify it. But they fly in the face of everything Jesus taught . . . . . . and everything Jesus did.
Spend some quiet time with the Lord.
