“Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, ‘This fellow said, “I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days,”’ The high priest stood up and said, ‘Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?’ But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, ‘I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.’ Jesus said to him, ‘You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.’ Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?’ They answered, ‘He deserves death.’ Then they spat in his face and stuck him; and some slapped him, saying, ‘Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?’” Matthew 26:59-68
Pay attention! When I/you/we go looking for false testimony we’ll do all we can to find it. Reminds me of a couple of church members I knew several years ago. One would say to the other, “they are saying such and such.” Then a few days later the other would say to the first, “I heard that they are saying such and such.” Then the two of them would tell the pastor, “this is what the people are saying.” The truth of God is everlasting! The promised Messiah, is the Messiah yesterday, today and tomorrow. The very leaders who knew all the prophecies concerning Messiah, the ones who had the responsibility of being on the lookout for Messiah so that they could introduce the people to Messiah are blind to His presence. Their self-interests blinded them to their purpose. Their verdict to false testimony – put him to death. Kill the eternal Messiah, they spit on him and slapped him around. The priests, denied Christ when they should have worshiped! We need to ask ourselves, what is it that we believe and attempt to validate that is false and causes us to seek out false testimony, to give false testimony, to believe false testimony? How do we spit on and slap Jesus around? Oh Lord identify this for each of us so that we may confess and repent, that we may turn back to our Savior Jesus. That we may worship not crucify again the risen Lord!