And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? Matthew 26- 57-62

The religious leaders made-up a fake trial with false charges against Jesus, so they can justify to the people , to execute him. Imagine these men, who were the spiritual leaders of Israel, who dedicated their lives to studying the Word of God, are plotting to execute the Son of God. Satan has blinded them, and the hardness of their hearts and the scales over their eyes, they are working for Satan to kill the Messiah

Of course, Jesus is sinless, therefor they needed to create fake charges, they quoted Jesus when he said “Destroy this temple in 3 days, and I’ll raise it up” (John 2:19) Of course the religious leaders had no idea what Jesus was talking about, Christ was prophesying about his death and resurrection, which ironically they are fulfilling with their wicked deeds

But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?  Matthew 26:63-68

So the question was asked to Jesus “Are you the Messiah, the Son of God”? Jesus answered directly “Yes and You will see the Son of Man coming in the Clouds” obviously referring to Daniel 7, the religious leaders knew exactly who Jesus was saying He is, the Son of Man in Daniel. It’s clear by their response of charging Christ is Blasphemy , they understood what he was saying they rejected the Son of God

The religious leaders had witnesses many of Jesus miracles and heard many of his teachings, they had clear evidence that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, yet they still choose to reject him, why? Because the religious leaders didn’t truly love God, they loved their religion, their money, their power, they wanted a god in their own image

The hour has come for Christ to go to the cross, at the hands of wicked men, to pay for the sins of the world, defeating death and Satan forever! Amen!