Blasphemy

Mark 14:63-65 - And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death. And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” And the guards received him with blows. Mark 2:7 - “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Isaiah 50:6 - I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. Isaiah 11:2 - And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. Application: · The sin of blasphemy not only involved reviling the name of God but also included any affront to His majesty or authority. · In Jewish theology even the Messiah could not forgive sins, and Jesus’ forgiveness of sin was a claim to deity—which they considered to be blasphemous. · Beatings were for criminals or fools. Mocking and spitting was to show hatred or to insult or disgrace. · The Spirit endowed Jesus with the wisdom to undertake wise purposes and with the power to carry them out. All Scripture verses taken from ESV