Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Mark 14:61-62
After keeping his identity secret for so long now the time has come for Jesus to acknowledge that he is the Messiah and the response from the high priest is swift. No more witnesses are required: Jesus is sentenced to death (verses 63-64).
Throughout the book of Mark, we find it recorded that Jesus often told his listeners to keep his identity a secret. Mark writes that he “would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was” (Mark 1:24-25, 34; 3:12; 9:25). Likewise, he told many of the people he healed not to tell anyone (Mark 1:44; 5:43; 7:36; 8:26). Even his disciples were warned not to say anything about his identity until after the resurrection (Mark 8:30; 9:9).
There have been many studies done on why Jesus would conceal himself. Yet here it’s obvious, the minute he admits who he is, he is condemned. Jesus knew the chief priests and the Sanhedrin wouldn’t be convinced. He knew their hearts. They weren’t even convinced when he rose from the dead, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead” (Luke 16:31).
How sad to be so stuck in their preconceived ideas that they missed the One for whom they had waited so long. The One who fulfilled so many prophesies. The One who loved them and gave himself for them.
Would we miss Jesus if he acted in ways that didn’t match our preconceived ideas?
