One of the strangest realities of the human condition is that we will hear what we want to hear and see what we want to see resulting in truth being defined by our own perceptions. This is the problem in politics. This is the problem in child rearing. This is the problem in marriage relationships. This is the problem in relationships within the church. This is the problem with a sinner’s faith in Jesus Christ as the only savior. This next passage in Matthew’s gospel recounts the actions of a late night ‘pre-trial’ in order to convict the innocent Jesus in an official trial before the Roman authorities. The plot to kill the only savior of sinners was predicted long ago and now it is here. The only way for Satan to win any battle is with deception. I think the Church can learn much here about how wicked men can distort the truth to their own perception. I think the Church can learn much about how to stand up against such distortions when accused wrongly for the gospel. Let’s dig into Matthew 26:57–68 together.