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TH E KING’S BUSINESS
testimony hopelessly conflicted. That they were liars was evident to all. One of the many conclusive evidences of the spotless- ness of Jesus’ character and life is the fact that these determined enemies could find nothing against Him. These men who sought so eagerly to compass the death of Jesus were men of careful external moral ity and they were intensely religious out wardly. This is the kind of men who most bitterly hate real, heart piety. After all the other witnesses had failed there came two (Matt. 26:60) who sware to what was in part true (v. 58, cf. John 2:19). The most dangerous of all lies. is the one that has as its basis a modicum, of truth. Jesus made no reply whatever to all these false charges, thus fulfilling prophecy (Is. 53:7) and leaving us an example to “follow His Mark 14:61b-65. The high priest was both amazed and confused by the silence of Jesus. At last he asks the direct question, “Art thou the Christ, the Son of God?” The question v/as intended to entrap Jesus, but it re sulted in our Lord’s plainest and most un equivocal and glorious testimony to His Own Deity (v. 62). If Jesus is not Divine, then He is the most daring blasphemer and impostor in the world’s history. Caiaphas was glad to hear this direct assertion of Deity on Jesus’ part; for now he had ground for a charge of blasphemy. But Jesus told him of another Judgment Day when He Himself would be judge and Caiaphas a,id his colleagues would be the prisoners at the bar. Many are sitting in judgment on Jesus today, but let us never forget that some day He is to sit in judgment on us. steps” (1 Peter 2:21, 23). Tuesday, August 31.
more Peter followed Jesus without follow- iiig Him. His feet followed Him, but where was his heart? He certainly did not fol low in the sense of renouncing self (Matt. 16:24). It was doubtless affection for Jesus that led Peter to follow Him, but there had not been as yet utter renuncia tion of self and whole-hearted devotion to Christ, but that came after Pentecost. Now there was affection but not love in its deep est sense. So Peter’s following got him into trouble: a mere outward following with out real heart following is always bound to get a man into trouble. Next we see Peter sitting with Christ’s enemies. Poor Peter! He has got into bad company and the end is now sure. Of course, he does not sym pathize with his Lord’s enemies, and what they are saying cuts him to the heart, but he is not protesting. He ought to have stood separate from them altogether ( Ps. 1:1; 26: 4-10; 2 Cor. 6:14-17), but that would have attracted too much attention and made him appear singular and exposed him to danger, and besides it was very cold away from the enemies’ fire. The same arguments for con formity to the world are urged today—-and are of as little value as in Peter’s day. When a follower of Jesus seeks to warm himself at the enemy’s fire you may set it down as certain that you will soon hear him denying his Lord.
Monday, August 30. Mark 14:55-61A.
The one fixed purpose of Jesus’ judges was to find him guilty. In order to carry out this purpose they did not hesitate to seek men who would perjure themselves. But they met with no success. There were many who were willing to curry favor with the authorities by swearing falsely, but their
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