Modeling the Answer that Matters

Scripture: 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?" 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." Mark 14:61-62

Observation: Jesus stands accused of many things before the priests and Sanhedrin, however he refuses to answer anything. Then he is asked one question - are you the Christ - and he answers 'yes'.

There was likely no obvious punishment for almost anything else Jesus was accused of. There was no punishment for healing, or claiming the ability to tear down the temple. And Jesus had no need to respond to anything, as various accounts of everything were contradictory. Yet he is asked this question, which implicitly caries the charge of blasphemy, and he answers. It may be easy to understand that he answers because he had to fulfill the scriptures and be sentenced to death, but it isn't that easy ... the prophecy is specific to the manner of his death, and blasphemy isn't a Roman law, so responding to this question did not mean crucifixion was likely.

Jesus answered this question because it is the one question EVERY believer must answer, every time we are asked, without failure. When asked, is Jesus the Chris, the answer is always and forever "yes". This is the only requirement of salvation, and disclaiming this truth is the only guaranteed path to damnation. As such, Jesus - at his moment of judgment - modeled the behavior we are all to follow ... he was asked if Jesus is the Messiah, and he answered yes.

Application: When I stand before God some day, the list of things I COULD be asked about will be ... oh, so very long, and so very bad. I could be asked about every thoughtless word, every mean act, every sin, and every failure to provide love and kindness and mercy to others. That interrogation could take a long, long time, as I tried to explain away the wrong things I do many times every day.

Instead, God will ask me one question ... Who is Jesus? I will answer the same way I would answer anyone, anywhere, anytime ... Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, and my Lord and Savior. With that, the questions will be done.

That is the only question that matters. Jesus showed me what to answer.

Prayer: Lord, Jesus is my Lord and Savior. He is the Messiah, the Christ, who died for my sins, and lives again. This I know and believe. I will keep that before me and within me, and I will always respond with it when asked. May my life ever improve so that others would know my answer without me ever saying it. Amen.