Matthew 26
The most recently coined term in America is "Fake News." It refers to the false information that is published under the guise of sincere and authentic reporting but in effect it is propaganda that is being used to change public opinion.
This is not a new phenomenon. Jesus was under attack from fake news 2000 years ago.
The Jewish leaders were not on a search for the truth concerning Jesus' identity. At his trial before the Sanhedrin, their goal was to charge him with such a serious crime that it would require his death.
Matthew 26:59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death.
They were already convinced that he was a fraud and his popularity with the people was a direct threat to their elite positions of power at the head of the government. So in an attempt to mislead the public, they had to come up with some false charges so he could be discredited. What better strategy than to entrap him in something that could be construed as blasphemy, the claim that he was God. The problem was the witnesses couldn't get their stories straight.
But here is where Jesus turned the tables on them. When he was asked if he was the Christ (the Messiah), the Son of God, Jesus boldly and fearlessly said, "YES, it is as you say."
So Jesus was actually charged with the crime of claiming he was the Jewish Messiah, which was Jesus' plan all along.
So what are you searching for, fake news or factual truth? Are you seeking the truth about Jesus or are you seeking reasons not to believe in him? The identity of Jesus still stands as the dividing line of history.
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