Today is the first day of lent, and another forty-five days before resurrection Sunday. This meditation will help us grasp a more profound desire to see Jesus.

“And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate.” (Mark 15:1 ESVi)

Jesus was arrested at night, and Peter denied him three times, and now Jesus is standing before the leadership structure of the religious leaders of his time: Chief priests, elders, teachers, and the Sanhedrin.

This consultation was more like a trial, and it was brutal. They had Jesus bound as a criminal as if he was waiting to escape!

This consultation was a mockery; they could not decide to charge Jesus with a criminal offence or for breaking their laws. Even though they accused him of many things, they delivered him to the civil rulers, Romans, and Pilate.

I wonder what went inside the hearts of these men as they had Jesus, the author of life, in front of them. Was something of his presence so unsettling that it brought conviction and even confusion?

Or was it fear of losing everything they stood for? Was Jesus so powerful that they felt threatened by their traditions?

What would I have done if I was in t room? Would I have searched my heart and allowed the look of Jesus’ eyes to speak, or would I have closed my eyes, gritted my teeth, and gone with the flow?

Jesus is still being questioned today, not just as a historical figure but by the lives lived by his followers.

We can stand firm together and ask the Lord to sustain us with the same self-control and determination as Jesus.

Here are a few lines from a song by Brian and Katie Torwait: “When you walk into a room, everything changes. Darkness starts to tremble at the light that you bring.” These leaders experienced Jesus walking into that room, their darkness was exposed, and they turned away from the Son of God. 

Father God, I come before your presence with only one request: to see how Jesus is looking at me.

Thank you.