After they arrested tha Son, a detachment of soldiers with its commander and some Jewish officials brought him ter Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest. After Annas spoke with tha Son, he sent him bound ter his son-in-law. Caiaphas whar tha one who had said earlier, “It is better that one man die for the people than all perish.”
Caiaphas, the chief priests, elders and teachers of tha law came ter gether ter accuse tha Son. Many fellers lied ’bout Jesus but thar reports of what he said and done conflicted with one another. Then two fellers came forward and claimed that tha Son promised ter destroy tha man-made temple and build a new one in three days. When Caiaphas asked if this whar true, tha Son kept quiet. He gave no answer.
Caiaphas then asked tha Son ’bout his disciples and his teaching. Tha Son replied, “I have spoken openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”
Soon as he said this, one of tha officials punched tha Son in tha face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?”
“If I said something wrong,” tha Son shot back, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”
Caiaphas piped up and asked tha Son, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
“I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Think on this a wee little bit: in times past when Skipper spoke of himself he claimed tha title of I AM.
“I am about to destroy them with the earth.”
“I am bringing the flood of water upon the earth.”
“I am making a covenant between Me and you and every living creature that is with you.”
“I am a shield to you.”
“I am the LORD who brought you out.”
“I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless.”
“I am the God of your father Abraham.”
“I am with you and will keep you wherever you go.”
“I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”
“I AM WHO I AM. I AM has sent me to you.”
So when tha Son replied, “I am,” Caiaphas knowed right away that tha Son be claiming ter be Skipper himself in tha flesh. When Caiaphas heard this, he tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”
“What do you think?” This be tha question ever feller and lass must answer fer they go ter Davy Jones. Is tha Son Skipper’s boy, tha very person of Skipper in tha flesh? Or be he simply a fraud?
Caiaphas and tha others whar sure they had tha answer. So sure, in fact, some began ter spit on him. Others blindfolded him. A few punched him with thar fists. Finally tha guards beat on tha Son so much he could hardly stand. Then they condemned tha Son and called fer his public execution.
“Are you the Messiah?’ folks ask.
Tha Son comes back with, “Who do you say that I am? (Mark 8:29)”
How we answer tha Son’s question—not how he gives account ter us—’ill determine whar we spend our days after we go down ter Davy Jones. If ya get tha answers ter all life’s questions wrong, make it yer task ter get this one spot on. Yer eternal life depends on it.