Jesus Before the High Priest
Month 11: The Cross & the Empty Tomb · Bible Story
Today's Scripture
Read together: Matthew 26:57-66
57 Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and elders had gathered. 58 But Peter followed Him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. And he went in and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward 61 and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” 62 So the high priest stood up and asked Him, “Have You no answer? What are these men testifying against You?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to Him, “I charge You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 “You have said it yourself,” Jesus answered. “But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “He has blasphemed! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?” “He deserves to die,” they answered.
Memory Verse
“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.”— Isaiah 53:5 (BSB)memorize this week
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: John 4-7
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (John shows Jesus at a well, healing the sick, feeding crowds, and teaching that He is the Bread of life.)The Heart of It
After the garden, soldiers led Jesus away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest. It was the middle of the night, a strange and secret hour for a trial. The leaders had already decided what they wanted. They were "seeking false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death" (). Witness after witness came forward, but their stories did not agree. Through it all, Jesus stood quietly, just as Isaiah had said long before. "He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth" (). The One who spoke worlds into being could have called down legions of angels. Yet He chose silence, because He had come to be pierced for us.
Then the high priest demanded under oath, "Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!" And Jesus answered plainly. "It is as you said." He would not deny who He was, even though He knew that one true word would be twisted into a death sentence. The leaders tore their robes and cried, "He has spoken blasphemy!" But it was not blasphemy. It was the truth. Jesus really is the Son of God. The trial was unfair. The witnesses were false. And the verdict was already settled before it began. Yet underneath the injustice, God's love was at work. The wounds Jesus would soon bear were the very wounds that would bring us peace and healing.
Around the Table
Some grown-ups told lies about Jesus to get Him in trouble. But Jesus stayed quiet and brave, because He loves us. He let it happen so He could save us.
Let's do it: Stand up tall and brave like Jesus, then say together: "Jesus is the Son of God!"
The leaders looked for people to lie about Jesus, but the lies didn't even match. When they asked if He was God's Son, Jesus told the truth, even though it was dangerous.
Let's talk: Why do you think Jesus told the truth when it would cost Him so much?
This trial broke their own rules. It was held at night, built on false witnesses, and decided in advance. Yet Jesus answered honestly about who He was, and He fulfilled . His silence was not weakness. It was chosen love.
Let's go deeper: What's the difference between Jesus being a victim of this trial and Jesus laying down His life through it ()?
💬 Conversation Starter
Have you ever been blamed for something you didn't do? How did it feel? And how does it change things to know Jesus understands exactly what that's like?
🛡️ Defending the Faith
Skeptics sometimes say Jesus never claimed to be God. But at His own trial, under solemn oath, He said plainly that He was "the Christ, the Son of God." His accusers understood Him so clearly that they called it blasphemy. He left no doubt about who He is.
For Dad · Go Deeper
Notice how the trial of Jesus quietly fulfills Scripture written seven centuries earlier. Isaiah foretold a Servant who would be condemned by injustice, yet open not His mouth. He was "pierced for our transgressions." This is not a story Jesus stumbled into. It is a plan He stepped into with open eyes. As a father, this guards your heart against a thin, sentimental view of the cross. Jesus did not merely suffer. He suffered substitution, taking the wounds your sins deserved. Let that settle deep before you teach it. The silence of Christ before His judges is the loudest declaration of love your children will ever hear. He could have spoken and walked free. Instead He stayed, for them.
Draws on: Alec Motyer, The Prophecy of Isaiah.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, thank You that Jesus stood silent and strong before unfair judges. He did it because He loved us. Thank You that His wounds bring us peace and healing. Help our family be brave to tell the truth about Jesus. In Jesus' name, amen."
Jesus told the truth and bore the lies. His wounds became my peace.