A false witness
Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, ~ Mark 14:57
Have you ever heard someone tell a story about you that made you wonder if they had accidentally confused you with someone else? You stand there thinking, “Were we even at the same event?” It’s amazing how easily the truth can become distorted when people only know part of the story.
Jesus experienced that very thing. As He stood before the religious leaders, false witnesses came one after another. They twisted His words, took His statements out of context, and invented accusations in an attempt to condemn Him. Yet even their stories couldn’t agree because lies have a hard time standing together when truth is present.
The same thing still happens today. People make all kinds of claims about Jesus. Some say He was only a good teacher. Others say He was simply a prophet or a great historical figure and some deny His resurrection altogether.
Many blame God for the evil, suffering, and brokenness in the world without understanding that sin brought those things into creation. They reject the very One who came to rescue them from it.
The greatest question isn’t what culture says about Jesus. It’s what you say about Him. Is He simply someone you know about? Or is He your Savior and Lord? Have you entrusted your life to Him and chosen to follow His ways?
There are many opinions about Jesus, but there is only one truth. The best way to discover that truth isn’t by listening to popular opinion. It’s by opening God’s Word and getting to know Him personally.
Below are a few practical ways to stand firmly in the truth.
1. Read God’s Word for yourself. Don’t build your faith on someone else’s opinion. Discover who Jesus is through Scripture.
2. Compare every message with God’s truth. Not everything that sounds spiritual is biblical. Let God’s Word be your standard.
3. Share the truth with love. When opportunities come up, tell others what Jesus has done in your life. A personal testimony is difficult to argue with.
4. Keep growing in your relationship with the Lord Jesus. The better you know Him, the easier it becomes to recognize truth from deception.
I’ve found that people often reject a version of Jesus they’ve heard about instead of the Jesus revealed in Scripture. That’s why I love encouraging people to read the Gospels for themselves. When they meet the real Jesus, His love, compassion, and truth speak louder than all the misconceptions they’ve heard.
Today I want to encourage you to know Jesus for yourself. Don’t settle for someone else’s opinion or allow the lies of this world to shape your understanding of who He is. Open His Word, discover His incredible love, and thank Him for the sacrifice He made to rescue you. Then share that same truth with others. The greatest gift you can give someone is introducing them to the Savior who gave everything to save them.
Here are some simple steps you can take to begin applying this in your life today:
- Read one chapter from the Gospels and ask God to reveal more of His character.
- Memorize a verse that reminds you of Christ Jesus’ love.
- Share your testimony with someone who needs hope.
- Pray for those who have misunderstood who Jesus really is.
If you’ve never personally invited the Lord Jesus into your life, you can do it right now by praying this salvation prayer from your heart. When you invite Him in, He forgives your sins, gives you a new life, and begins a relationship with you that will last forever.
Prayer of Salvation
God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior. I turn away from my old life and receive the new life You have for me. Please forgive my sins, cleanse me, and make me new. I believe Jesus died for me and that You raised Him from the dead. Today I confess Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and empower me to follow You all the days of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen..
Today’s scripture reading: Mark 14:53-65
53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes.
54 But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.
55 Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none.
56 For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree.
57 Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying,
58 “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.’ ”
59 But not even then did their testimony agree.
60 And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?”
61 But He kept silent and answered nothing.
Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”
62 Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
63 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “What further need do we have of witnesses?
64 You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?”
And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.
65 Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.
Journal:
- Who is Jesus to me personally?
- Am I building my faith on God’s Word or on the opinions of others?
- How can I grow in knowing Christ more deeply?
- Who can I share the truth of the Gospel with this week?
- What has Jesus done in my life that I can tell someone else about?
The Daily Dose 