"Have We Lost Our Way?"

Our scripture today is from Matthew, chapter 26 verses 57-68 from the Common English Bible.

57 Those who arrested Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest. The legal experts and the elders had gathered there.58 Peter followed him from a distance until he came to the high priest's courtyard. He entered that area and sat outside with the officers to see how it would turn out. 59 The chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 They didn't find anything they could use from the many false witnesses who were willing to come forward. But finally they found two 61 who said, "This man said, ‘I can destroy God's temple and rebuild it in three days.'" 62 Then the high priest stood and said to Jesus, "Aren't you going to respond to the testimony these people have brought against you?" 63 But Jesus was silent. The high priest said, "By the living God, I demand that you tell us whether you are the Christ, God's Son." 64 "You said it," Jesus replied. "But I say to you that from now on you'll see the Human One sitting on the right side of the Almighty and coming on the heavenly clouds." 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He's insulting God! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, you've heard his insult against God. 66 What do you think?" And they answered, "He deserves to die!" 67 Then they spit in his face and beat him. They hit him 68 and said, "Prophesy for us, Christ! Who hit you?"

Leader: This is the word of God for a people of God.

All: Thanks be to God.