Lose, Lose Situation - Mat. 26:63

"I demand in the name of the living God that you tell us whether you are the Messiah, the Son of God." Mat. 26:63

I doubt that there was a satisfactory answer that Jesus could have given to this question. I can't help but wonder what the point of asking was. The leading priests had long-plotted to kill Jesus, so the decision had already been made--that's why he was in this position do begin with! I guess they were just confirming what they already believed--he was a blasphemer worthy of death. It begs another question though: If the Jews believed in a coming Messiah, what qualifications were they looking for to believe they finally had the right guy? Wouldn't they expect him to say that, yes, indeed he was the Messiah? How do they get around the whole blaspheming thing? Could it be that his claim would have to be supported by miracles and the fulfillment of prophecy? Jesus WAS the complete package, yet they failed to believe in him. I am just not sure what they were looking for. Ironically, in 27:9, even their rebelliousness was used to fulfill prophecy! If this isn't blindness, I don't know what is!

Jesus, thank you for your faithfulness in the face of the harshest of circumstances.

Today's reading: Ps. 125; Mat. 26, 27