I Am the I Am

‭‭Mark‬ ‭14‬:‭53‬-‭65

“They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’ ” Yet even then their testimony did not agree. Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.“ ‭‭Mark‬ ‭14‬:‭53‬-‭65 NIV

It is possible to say the right thing at the wrong time. On the other hand there is no right time to say the wrong thing. In other words, there are times it is wise to keep silent, and there are other times when you need to speak.

Jesus had shown Himself the master of both speech and silence, and when to use either. But now, in front of the Jewish Council that had met specifically to condemn Him to die, it seems that He mixed up when to be silent, and when to speak. Or did he?

From a purely personal self-serving perspective it would seem so. After all, isn’t it normal for us to use speech and silence to either promote ourselves/our well being or get us out of trouble? But for Jesus and consequently His followers that was not so. What He said and why He kept silent were governed by one thing. He never thought of Himself first.

He would do only what pleased God, which included being unafraid of revealing His identity, an identity that reflected the character of His Father of justice, mercy, and grace. It led them to sentencing Him to death.  The response that Jesus gave to Caiaphas was an answer this puffed-up, little man was not expecting. Not only did Jesus identify Himself as the long-awaited, prophesied Messiah of Israel, but also that He was the eternal God.

Jesus identified Himself as God, by using the title given to Moses from the burning bush - "I AM that I AM." Jesus had kept His identity hidden from many during His earthly ministry, but as He stood before Caiaphas, He boldly identified Himself with a title that could only be used by the almighty, everlasting God.

And Jesus said, 'I AM. And you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN. Oh yes, Jesus gave him an answer he certainly did not expect to hear.

It is essential to know that Jesus chose the cross Himself. If he had spoken the truth in a different way, been a bit more clear, to either the Sanhedrin or Pilate, then He would not have died.

 He could have lived a full life, creating groups and establishing a new school. If He had consulted with any of His disciples, they would have spoken of the benefit of remaining with them, of living a long life and having His influence spread throughout the world.  

If He had listened to His own body, sweating blood and crying out for deliverance, He would have forsaken this plan.

Jesus was brought before the leaders of the Jewish people, but Peter stayed at a cowardly distance sneaking around trying to watch the proceedings. While Jesus faced the cold ridicule of those in power, Jesus self-proclaimed loyal follower warmed himself at a fire in the company of those put in charge of the Son of God's torture.

While it all seems so despicable from the safety of our distance of over two thousand years, if we are honest, most of us have done the same thing. When Jesus, His cause, or His Kingdom is maligned, we sometimes pull back from the discussion, hang back, and try to be unnoticeable.

But just as there was a time for Jesus to take up  His cross, to allow Himself to be sacrificed for the sake of others, even so there is that time for every disciple of Jesus.  And when it happens, when we are faced with a sacrifice that our body cries out against and all our family and friends decry, we will have to make that choice ourselves.  God will not force us. There will be a way out, just as there was for Jesus.  And we will have to lay ourselves down for the sake of others, but only if we so choose.

This is why so few actually take up the cross themselves. Such tremendous love is hard, so hard, and few have the stamina to see it through. Few will face the opposition and say that which will harm ourselves. Few are the lovers of the cross!!!

Father, thank You for this day and for giving us wisdom to know how to stand up for Your truth, Your Son, and Your will without alienating others. Lord, open the floodgates of heaven and pour Your abundant blessings over my friend and family today. Lord, help us to never back down in our spoken faith because we are afraid. Lord, we want to be wise and courageous in our loyalty to You. We confess that so often we speak or are silent to serve our own purpose, to fulfill our own agenda. Lord, teach us to speak, and how to be silent, but only if it reveals You. Please use us to be the touch of Your love to all.Father, we love You.  Amen !