Before Annas and the Court of Caiaphas
605
contrite and humble spirit. This God would discern. But no rent must
be made in the priestly robes, for this would mar the representation of
heavenly things. The high priest who dared to appear in holy office,
and engage in the service of the sanctuary, with a rent robe, was
looked upon as having severed himself from God. By rending his
garment he cut himself off from being a representative character. He
was no longer accepted by God as an officiating priest. This course
of action, as exhibited by Caiaphas, showed human passion, human
imperfection.
By rending his garments, Caiaphas made of no effect the law of
God, to follow the tradition of men. A man-made law provided that
in case of blasphemy a priest might rend his garments in horror at the
sin, and be guiltless. Thus the law of God was made void by the laws
of men.
Each action of the high priest was watched with interest by the
people; and Caiaphas thought for effect to display his piety. But in
this act, designed as an accusation against Christ, he was reviling the
One of whom God had said, “My name is in Him.”
Exodus 23:21
. He
himself was committing blasphemy. Standing under the condemnation
of God, he pronounced sentence upon Christ as a blasphemer.
When Caiaphas rent his garment, his act was significant of the place
that the Jewish nation as a nation would thereafter occupy toward God.
The once favored people of God were separating themselves from
Him, and were fast becoming a people disowned by Jehovah. When
Christ upon the cross cried out, “It is finished” (
John 19:30
), and the
veil of the temple was rent in twain, the Holy Watcher declared that
the Jewish people had rejected Him who was the antitype of all their
types, the substance of all their shadows. Israel was divorced from
God. Well might Caiaphas then rend his official robes, which signified
that he claimed to be a representative of the great High Priest; for no
longer had they any meaning for him or for the people. Well might the
high priest rend his robes in horror for himself and for the nation.
[710]
The Sanhedrin had pronounced Jesus worthy of death; but it was
contrary to the Jewish law to try a prisoner by night. In legal condem-
nation nothing could be done except in the light of day and before a
full session of the council. Notwithstanding this, the Saviour was now
treated as a condemned criminal, and given up to be abused by the low-
est and vilest of humankind. The palace of the high priest surrounded