[Mar 14:53-59 NKJV] 53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes. 54 But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. 56 For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree. 57 Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying, 58 “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.’ ” 59 But not even then did their testimony agree.

– Mark 14:53-59 (NKJV)

When the first one of my college friends were married I took up a collection of money among the groomsmen to get a few supplies to decorate the grooms car. I entrusted the money to a guy who was a few classes ahead of me in college to go and get the supplies. He came back with the supplies and the change. I told him to just keep the change. (It only amounted to about $1 or $2 for everyone who had put in). But he said simply, “the money doesn’t belong to me, my integrity is worth more than $8.” I don’t know that anyone was really questioning his integrity, but his point was made. If we compromise on small things, it won’t be long before we compromise on big things.

It amazes me how readily the priests, elders, and scribes could assemble witnesses who would bare false witness against Jesus. This isn’t a little white lie that they tell. This is testimony in a court that could condemn Jesus to be beaten or even put to death. The words that these folks were sharing could have real consequences. It might have been a roman cross that killed Jesus, but there were some pretty shady characters who attempted to do it using only their words as they bore false witness against Jesus.

I don’t know what it takes to get to the point where you are willing to assist in the miscarriage of justice by telling lies and I hope I never find out. My guess though is that these guys had told some lies before or perhaps they were so against Jesus that they were blinded by their rage. I don’t think anyone sets out to be a Judas or a false prophet, or even to bare false witness but some people end up there.

What really amazes me is how God can use the intentions of even wicked people who are really up to no good to accomplish his purposes.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. We thank you for the cross. We know the account of how Jesus came to be on the cross for our sins is a sobering one filled with sin and betrayal. Yet you took the works done against you and used them for our good and your glory! Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.