Lord's Day Devotion - The Pawns of Satan (Luke 22:66-71 ESV/KJV)

"Then said they all, 'Art thou then the Son of God?'  Jesus said, 'you say that I am'"       Luke 23:70 KJV.

Can't you just feel the cold calculating atmosphere this verse presents?  Read it in context of Luke 22:66-70.  This chilling atmosphere steals over your body.  This was NOT a friendly assembly by any stretch of the imagination!

No, this religious assembly of elders, chief priests and scribes were out for blood - literally.  Any teeny-tiny shred of slip up was going to be pounced upon and they'd tear Jesus Himself to shreds.  Certainly it was  a pack of wolves that circled Him and they wanted Him to eat His own words.

They wanted to catch Him with His own words to bring Him down and have Him done away with.  "No mercy' was their motto.

So they ...

 " ... mocked Jesus, smote Him, blindfolded Him and struck Him on the face ..."             (vs 64 KJV).

  They physically assaulted Him and then verbally assaulted Him, twisting His words and accusing Him with them.

"Art Thou the Christ? ... Art Thou the Son of God?" (vs 67 &70),

they asked.  It was not in faith nor seeking to know Him.  It was menance, sarcastic venom, and total unbelief.

They said they wanted answers.  Jesus does answer indirectly but they were too blinded by hate and jealousy to acknowledge and accept the fact that Jesus was (& still is) the Christ, the Son of the living God.

His answer infuriated them further.  But now they had the fodder they needed to get the crowds riled and to put Him to death.

The pawns of Satan, in pure cold hatred, sealed Jesus' destiny on the cross.  When we read further in the gospel according to Luke, we do see though how through this tragedy, good did come.  Jesus atoned for our sin, being that propitiation to appease the wrath of God (see 1 John 2:2), by the shedding of His blood.  

What Satan had meant for harm, God turned into good for all mankind, including those vengeful religious leaders and elders of the people.

We can thank Jesus for going through all this injustice and torment for our souls.  Let us be forever grateful.  Give thanks and praise His name forever.  Make it true worship - in Spirit and truth (see John 4:24 ESV).

Then reach for the broken bread and drink the cup of wine in remembrance of Him on any given Lord's Day.  Remember His loving, sacrificial death and for all He has done for us through it.  For as often as you do, you show what He has done for us through His death and resurrection.  Praise be to Jesus!

Let's declare that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God most high and give glory to Him and His name.  Amen.

                                                    ~ ERC  September 2025 ~

Based on Luke 22:66-71 ESV/KJV.

Sing, Yet NOT I But Through Christ in Me, along with City Alight, Hadleigh Baptist Church.