The Pharisees, Chief Priests and Elders
In his ministry, Jesus was careful to support the Law of Moses, which itself pointed forward to him. See how he commanded a person healed of his leprosy: “Go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing as a testimony to them” (Mark 1:40-44). Peter was asked whether Jesus was to pay or not to pay the temple tax. Straightaway Jesus sent Peter to catch a fish and to pay the drachma for both Jesus and Peter (Matt 17:24-27). Jesus believed in paying taxes, but to honour God first (Matt 22:15-22). Why did they accuse him falsely? It was their ignorance and jealousy.
Jesus never committed any sin. They accused him of preaching against them, and asking them to repent because they were neglecting God’s decrees. But they were out of touch with the scriptures, could not identify their Messiah nor recognise his works. They were negligent, they were not cleaving to their God and their selfishness blinded them spiritually.
The prophets had paved the way for Jesus. Their fingers pointed to the coming of Jesus and his purpose. David foresaw him and wrote about him; his Psalms are full of Christ’s coming. When he came, Peter confessed Jesus, as did the rich young man. Jesus was the Saviour. He was a teacher, meaning ‘one above you’. The Pharisees, chief priests and elders all were aware of Jesus but they failed to identify their Messiah.
Messianic books which all the Jews read in their scriptures about their saviour include:
Isaiah 7: The sign of Emmanuel
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Isaiah 9: To us a child is born
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Isaiah 11: The branch of Jesse (verse 5)
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Isaiah 35:5,6: Jesus preaching about the Kingdom
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Isaiah 42:1-4,6,7. chosen servant in whom God delights. God puts His spirit in him.
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Isaiah 43: What Israel was longing for.
Another witness is David:
were to pierce him; v18: They were to divide his
clothes by casting lots (Matt 27:35).
All these were read in their synagogues every Sabbath day. They saw the miracles that Jesus did, but they did not register in their minds. Jesus spoke in parables: “You have eyes but you cannot see”. They had brains but were unable to think. They were unable to choose the good from the bad. They did not choose God but evil things (Matt 13:13-15; Mark 8:18; 4:12; John 12:40: Isaiah 6:9,10).
Jesus once asked the Pharisees, “What do you think about Christ? Whose son is he?” He reminded them of what they had read daily. They were blind and turned their backs to him. Let us not be like them: let us not turn our backs on the preaching: let us keep awake until the Saviour comes, because the Kingdom of God is just around the corner. Let us not do what the Pharisees, high priests and elders did.
Bro Svuure Faustino (Zaka, Zimbabwe)
