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From Heaven With Love
mighty miracles. But his words fell on the Saviour’s ears as though
He heard them not. In the minds of that hardened multitude arose
the question, Is this man of godlike presence to be condemned as a
criminal?
The enemies of Jesus were in perplexity. How to accomplish His
condemnation they knew not. Caiaphas wished to avoid stirring up
a contention. There were plenty of witnesses to prove that Christ
had called the priests and scribes hypocrites and murderers, but
this was not expedient to bring forward. Such testimony would
have no weight with the Romans. There was abundant evidence
that Jesus had spoken irreverently of many of the ordinances of the
Jews. This evidence also would have no weight with the Romans.
Christ’s enemies dared not accuse Him of Sabbathbreaking, lest an
examination bring to light His miracles of healing.
False witnesses had been bribed to accuse Jesus of seeking to
establish a separate government. But their testimony proved to be
vague and contradictory. Under examination they falsified their own
[469]
statements.
Early in His ministry Christ had said, “Destroy this temple, and
in three days I will raise it up.” He had thus foretold His own death
and resurrection. “He spake of the temple of His body.”
John 2:19,
21
. Of all that Christ had said, the priests could find nothing to
use against Him save this. The Romans had engaged in rebuilding
and embellishing the temple, and they took great pride in it; any
contempt shown it would excite their indignation. Here Romans and
Jews could meet; for all held the temple in great veneration.
One witness who had been bribed to accuse Jesus declared, “This
fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it
in three days.’” If Christ’s words had been reported exactly as He
spoke them, they would not have secured His condemnation even by
the Sanhedrin. His declaration would only have indicated an unrea-
sonable, boastful spirit, but not blasphemy. Even as misrepresented
by false witnesses, His words contained nothing regarded by the
Romans as a crime worthy of death.
At last Jesus’ accusers were entangled, confused, and maddened.
It seemed that their plottings were to fail. Caiaphas was desperate.
One last resort remained: Christ must be forced to condemn Himself.
The high priest started from the judgment seat, his face contorted