With Swords and Clubs {Matthew 26.47-56 The Message - TopicsExpress



          

With Swords and Clubs {Matthew 26.47-56 The Message Version} 47The words were barely out of his mouth when Judas (the one from the Twelve) showed up, and with him a gang from the high priests and religious leaders brandishing swords and clubs. 48The betrayer had worked out a sign with them: “The one I kiss, that’s the one—seize him.” 49He went straight to Jesus, greeted him, “How are you, Rabbi?” and kissed him. 50Jesus said, “Friend, why this charade?”Then they came on him—grabbed him and roughed him up. 51One of those with Jesus pulled his sword and, taking a swing at the Chief Priest’s servant, cut off his ear. 52Jesus said, “Put your sword back where it belongs. All who use swords are destroyed by swords. 53Don’t you realize that I am able right now to call to my Father, and twelve companies—more, if I want them—of fighting angels would be here, battle-ready? 54But if I did that, how would the Scriptures come true that say this is the way it has to be?” 55Then Jesus addressed the mob: “What is this—coming out after me with swords and clubs as if I were a dangerous criminal? Day after day I have been sitting in the Temple teaching, and you never so much as lifted a hand against me. 56You’ve done it this way to confirm and fulfill the prophetic writings.”Then all the disciples cut and ran. False Charges {Matthew 26.57-68 The Message Version} 57The gang that had seized Jesus led him before Caiaphas the Chief Priest, where the religion scholars and leaders had assembled. 58Peter followed at a safe distance until they got to the Chief Priest’s courtyard. Then he slipped in and mingled with the servants, watching to see how things would turn out. 59The high priests, conspiring with the Jewish Council, tried to cook up charges against Jesus in order to sentence him to death. 60But even though many stepped up, making up one false accusation after another, nothing was believable.Finally two men came forward 61with this: “He said, ‘I can tear down this Temple of God and after three days rebuild it.’” 62The Chief Priest stood up and said, “What do you have to say to the accusation?” 63Jesus kept silent.Then the Chief Priest said, “I command you by the authority of the living God to say if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” 64Jesus was curt: “You yourself said it. And that’s not all. Soon you’ll see it for yourself:The Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Mighty One, Arriving on the clouds of heaven.” 65At that, the Chief Priest lost his temper, ripping his robes, yelling, “He blasphemed! Why do we need witnesses to accuse him? You all heard him blaspheme! 66Are you going to stand for such blasphemy?”They all said, “Death! That seals his death sentence.” 67Then they were spitting in his face and banging him around. They jeered as they slapped him: 68“Prophesy, Messiah: Who hit you that time?”
Posted on: Thu, 15 Aug 2013 23:09:19 +0000

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