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The Trial… vs. 57-68

  • 1st – The High Priest… vs. 57-58
    • Six Trials…
      • In all there are SIX trials that Jesus went through before His crucifixion!
      • FIRST – He was sent to stand before Annas [father in law of Caiaphas] – John 18:12-24
      • SECOND – He was tried at NIGHT before the Sanhedrin [Jewish Counsel] – Matthew 26:57-68
      • THIRD – He was tried in the MORNING before the Sanhedrin – Matthew 27:1
      • FOURTH – He was tried before Pontius Pilate – Matthew 27:2-14
      • FIFTH – He was tried before Herod Antipas [son of Herod the Great] – Luke 23:6-12
      • SIXTH – He was finally sentenced to death by Pilate – Matthew 27:15-26
      • Only FOUR of these TRIALS are recorded in the book of Matthew!
    • The Sanhedrin…
      • Those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest.
      • Where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
      • This was the SECOND of the SIX trials of Jesus…
      • He had already been questioned by ANNAS [former High Priest]
      • Then the SOLDIERS brought Jesus to the house of CAIAPHAS [Καϊάφας]
      • CAIAPHAS was the current High Priest [appointed by Rome]
      • The SCRIBES [γραμματεύς] and ELDERS [πρεσβύτερος] were gathered there [synagogue]
      • This was the SANHEDRIN – the ruling body of the Jewish people [congress]!
    • Illegal Trial…
      • According to Jewish law [Mishna] the NIGHT trial of Jesus was NOT legal [four reasons]!
      • FIRST – only a judge – NOT the High Priest – was allowed to pass judgment…
      • SECOND – they could NOT try a prisoner at night [a rush trial]
      • THIRD – it was against the law to interrogate a prisoner in a CLOSED meeting…
      • FOURTH – It was against the law to hold a trial the day before a Holy day [Sabbath]
      • Imagine a trial that leads to death – occurs in less than SIX hours – is done in PRIVATE…
      • This was NOT justice – it was a lynch mob that had only one purpose – kill Jesus!
    • From a distance… vs. 58
      • But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priests courtyard. 
      • And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end!
      • Peter wanted to know what was going to happen [the end] to Jesus…
      • We tend to give him a hard time because he denied the Lord…
      • But out of the ELEVEN disciples – ONLY Peter and John FOLLOWED Jesus – John 18:15
      • The PROBLEM – although he continued [imperfect] to FOLLOW the Lord…
      • FOLLOW [ἀκολουθέω] – the same word used when they left their nets – Matthew 4:20
      • Rather than sticking CLOSE to Jesus – he stood FAR away [μακρός]
      • Mark 14:54 – “He sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.”
      • There are many Christians who follow Jesus – from a distance…
      • They sit in Church on Sunday – then sit with the world Monday through Saturday…
      • They want to live both for the Lord – and for the world!
      • The farther we are from the Lord – the closer we will find ourselves to the world…
      • But when we are close to the world – we will find it HARD to stand for the Lord!
    • 2nd – Good Witness… vs. 59-63
      • False Testimony… vs. 59-60
        • Now the chief priests – the elders – and all the council.
        • Sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death – but found none.
        • Even though many false witnesses came forward they found none!
        • The SANHEDRIN [συνέδριον] – were looking [imperfect] for something to accuse Jesus of…
        • They did NOT care if it was TRUE – they had no problem with FALSE [ψευδής] witnesses…
        • But the problem with LIARS – is they do NOT tell the TRUTH….
        • The LAW required TWO witnesses to AGREE for the DEATH penalty – Deuteronomy 17:6
        • And no matter how hard they tried – NONE [οὐ] of these liars could AGREE!
      • The Temple… vs. 60-61
        • At last two false witnesses came forward and said:
        • This fellow said – I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days!
        • The LAST of the LIARS [ψευδής] finally did agree one thing…
        • Jesus said he had the POWER [Δύναμαι] to destroy the Temple – rebuild it in THREE days…
        • He had said that – but He was NOT talking about the Jewish TEMPLE [τὸν ναὸν]
        • John 2:21 – “He was speaking of the temple of His body.”
      • Silent… vs. 62-63
        • The high priest arose and said to Him: Do You answer nothing? 
        • What is it these men testify against You? But Jesus kept silent!
        • CAIAPHAS [high priest] stood up [dramatic effect]
        • Stating Jesus was NOT defending himself [indicative] against His ACCUSERS…
        • But Jesus was continually [imperfect] SILENT- and said NOTHING!
        • Isaiah 53:7 – “He was oppressed and He was afflicted – yet He opened not His mouth.”
        • I knew a pastor who was falsely accused of having an affair…
        • When he went to seek counsel on what he should do he was simply asked: are you GUILTY…
        • The answer was NO – so they counsel was do NOTHING – let God be your defense!
        • When [not if] people say BAD things [lies] about us we have a CHOICE…
        • We can DEFEND ourselves – although ironically this just makes us look GUILTY…
        • Or we can say NOTHING – knowing that God will be our DEFENSE…
        • Those who are INNOCENT have NO reason to explain why they did NOTHING wrong!
        • Romans 12:19 – “Beloved do not avenge yourselves but rather give place to wrath. For it is written: Vengeance is Mine – I will repay says the Lord.”
    • 3rd – The Christ… vs. 63-64
      • The Son of God… vs. 63-64
        • The high priest answered and said to Him: I put You under oath by the living God.
        • Tell us if You are the Christ – the Son of God. Jesus said to him: It is as you said!
        • CAIAPHAS [high priest] then demanded Jesus answer him…
        • Jesus had to tell the TRUTH [ἐξορκίζω] – before the LIVING God…
        • Is He [present] the CHRIST [Χριστός] – the SON of God [ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ]
        • Jesus answered CAIAPHAS: I AM [name of God] – Mark 14:62
        • The title CHRIST [Χριστός] or [מָשִׁיחַ] – means the anointed one…
        • It emphasizes WHO sent Jesus – He was anointed [called] by God – Psalm 2:2
        • But the title SON of God [ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ] – emphasizes WHO Jesus is…
        • It describes His relationship to the Father – the SECOND person in the Trinity – John 10:30
      • Son of Man… vs. 64
        • Nevertheless I say to you hereafter you will see the Son of Man!
        • But Jesus added to those TWO titles – and gave a THIRD…
        • The SON of Man [τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου] – emphasizing WHY He came…
        • God HUMBLED himself – and took on the form of a MAN [ἄνθρωπος]
        • So that a He could live a PERFECT life – then DIE in our place…
        • Jesus was telling CAIAPHAS why God came down the FIRST time!
        • Philippians 2:7-8 – “Coming in the likeness of men… He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death – even the death of the cross.”
      • Second Coming… vs. 64
        • Sitting at the right hand of the Power – and coming on the clouds of heaven!
        • But because CAIAPHAS was NOT willing to receive the CHRIST the FIRST time…
        • He would instead have to stand before the CHRIST the SECOND time…
        • He would see Jesus SITTING at the right hand of the Father [power] – Revelation 14:14
        • And then the clouds would PART – as Jesus comes down out of HEAVEN!
        • Revelation 19:11 – “I saw heaven opened and behold… He judges and makes war.”
        • There are only TWO choices when it comes to Jesus…
        • We can chose to bow NOW – or we will be made to bow LATER – Romans 14:11
        • Those who receive the SON of Man now [Jesus who died for our sins] are saved NOW…
        • Those who reject Him – will experience His wrath LATER!
    • 4th – Tearing the robe… vs. 65-68
      • Blasphemy… vs. 65-66
        • Then the high priest tore his clothes saying: He has spoken blasphemy! 
        • What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy!
        • What do you think? They answered and said: He is deserving of death!
        • Then CAIAPHAS tore his clothes – declaring Jesus had blasphemed [βλασφημέω]
        • To him there was NO longer any reason for more WITNESSES…
        • They ALL heard [indicative] what Jesus said – He claimed to be the CHRIST – the I AM…
        • When he asked the SANHEDRIN what His punishment should be…
        • They responded – he was GUILTY and should be put to DEATH!
        • The key event was the tearing of the ROBE…
        • The LAW forbit the High Priest from every doing that – Leviticus 21:10
        • The moment CAIAPHAS did – he was disqualified from being the HIGH priest…
        • Because he needed to be REPLACED – it opened the door for a new High Priest!
        • Hebrews 9:11 – “Christ has now become the High Priest over all.”
        • There are people who still think they need to go to a PRIEST to be forgiven…
        • Others believe that they must PRAY to the SAINTS in order for God to hear them…
        • But we do NOT need a man to be our MEDIATOR between us and God – I Timothy 2:5
        • We now have a HIGH Priest who gives us direct access in the Throne room of heaven…
        • We can pray to Him anytime – and He will FORGIVE us!
      • Hot hand… vs. 67-68
        • Then they spat in His face and beat Him – and others struck Him with the palms of their hands.
        • Saying: Prophesy to us Christ! Who is the one who struck You?
        • The SANHEDRIN then began to [πτύω] SPIT [onomatopoeia] in Jesus face…
        • They still do this today in the Middle east to show great contempt and hatred…
        • They also BLINDFOLDED Him and slapped Him with their hands – Mark 14:65
        • Saying PROPHECY to us CHRIST who hit You – only then would they stop!
        • If we can see a punch coming – we can roll with it to lessen the effect…
        • If we cannot see it – we take the full blunt force causing severe damage…
        • So begins the suffering of Jesus –beaten so badly He became unrecognizable!
        • Isaiah 52:14 – “Many were amazed when they saw him beaten and bloodied – so disfigured one would scarcely know he was a person.” [NLT]
  • 2nd – Three Times… vs. 69-75
    • 1st – Staying Outside… vs. 69-70
      • Servant girl… vs. 69
        • Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him saying:
        • You also were with Jesus of Galilee.
        • But he denied it before them all saying: I do not know what you are saying!
        • Peter was still sitting OUTSIDE [ἔξω] and watching the TRIAL from a DISTANCE…
        • When a young WOMAN [παιδίσκη] came up to him saying: you were [imperfect] with Jesus…
        • It was NO accident that it was a young girl [not a Roman solider or Temple guard]
        • Yet even in front of her – Peter could NOT stand up for Jesus…
        • He DENIED it telling EVERYONE [πᾶς] – he had NO idea [perfect] what she was saying!
      • The warning…
        • Mark 14:68 – “He went out on the porch and a rooster crowed.”
        • God tried to give Peter a reminder he was going the wrong way!
        • When we being to DRIFT from the Lord– compromising our walk…
        • God will send us those subtle reminders – a Bible verse that touches our heart…
        • Or a friend who encourages us to come to church…
        • The question is are we listening – or so caught up in our sin that we miss it!
        • Hebrews 2:1 – “Listen very carefully to the truth… or we may drift away.” [NLT]
    • 2nd – Wrong direction… vs. 71-72
      • The Oath…
        • When he had gone out to the gateway another saw him and said to those who were there.
        • This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.
        • But again he denied with an oath: I do not know the Man!
        • Peter went FATHER away from Jesus – retreating to the GATE…
        • No doubt he was getting NERVOUS – if one person recognized him someone else might…
        • Sure enough – another [ἄλλος] saw him and said: he was with [imperfect] Jesus…
        • But Peter DENIED a SECOND time – and took an OATH [ὅρκος]
        • He VOWED he had [perfect] NEVER [οὐ] seen [εἴδω] that man before…
        • In only a few hours he went from I will DIE for you – to I NEVER knew you!
      • Compromise…
        • When King David chose to stay home – rather than go to Battle – II Samuel 12:1
        • He never could have imagined how much that simple choice would cost him…
        • Because he was NOT where he should have been – he saw Bathsheba bathing…
        • The resulting AFFAIR – and MURDER [Uriah] almost destroyed him!
        • No one wakes up one day and decides to RUIN their lives…
        • It comes as a result of a sequence of BAD choices made over time…
        • One compromise leads to another – until we find we have wandered FAR from the Lord!
        • Hebrews 3:13 – “Hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
    • 3rd – Cursing and swearing… vs. 73-75
      • Accent… vs. 73-74
        • A little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter:
        • Surely you also are one of them for your speech betrays you.
        • After a short time [μικρόν] those who had been standing nearby and LISTENING…
        • Came up [active] to Peter and said: you are [indicative] one of them…
        • They could tell because of his ACCENT [sounded like he was from Galilee]!
        • A few years back we had a family come from Australia on a Missions trip…
        • People came up to me asking if they were speaking in ENGLISH…
        • They were – but their accent was so different – I had to INTERPRET for them!
      • Relative…
        • John 18:26 – “A relative of him whose ear Peter cut off.”
        • John adds that one of those who came up to question Peter was related to Malchus…
        • He was NOT about to forget the man who cut off the ear of his relative…
        • Peter must have felt trapped – he was NOT just recognized as being with Jesus…
        • There would no doubt be CONSEQUENCES for his rash actions with the sword!
      • The rooster…
        • He began to curse and swear saying: I do not know the Man! Immediately a rooster crowed!
        • Then Peter began to CURSE [ἀναθεματίζω] – cursed if he was lying…
        • SWEAR [ὀμνύω] – to make a VOW to convince someone you are telling the truth…
        • He had [perfect] NEVER [οὐ] seen [εἴδω] that man before – and the ROOSTER crowed!
      • Jesus looked…
        • Luke 22:61 – “The Lord turned and looked at Peter.”
        • Set the scene – Peter had been watching the TRIAL of Jesus…
        • Little by little getting father and father from his Lord…
        • And as the rooster crowed – morning had come – the SANHEDRIN had made their decision!
        • Jesus was being BEATEN – and through His bruised and blood stained face…
        • He turned and looked over at Peter – just as he DENIED the Lord for the THIRD time…
        • I have to believe it was NOT a condemning look – there was NO disappointment…
        • Instead His gaze was filled with compassion and LOVE…
        • Yes Peter had FAILED – but that is exactly what Jesus came to DIE for!
      • Peter Remembered… vs. 75
        • Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him.
        • Before the rooster crows you will deny Me three times. So he went out and wept bitterly!
        • At that moment Peter REMEMBERED [passive] what Jesus had said…
        • The Lord told him he would BETRAY Jesus THREE times – Matthew 26:34
        • Seeing his failure – Peter was BROKEN – and went out WEEPING!
        • CONVICTION is good – the work of the Spirit telling us to REPENT – look to Jesus…
        • CONDEMNATION is bad – focusing on our failures – looking to our sin…
        • When we are FOCUSED on our mistakes – we are NOT looking to Jesus…
        • We are CONDEMNING ourselves – even though God says we are FORGIVEN…
        • We just NEED to get our eyes off ourselves – and put them back onto Jesus!
        • I John 3:20 – “If our heart condemns us – God is greater than our heart.”
    • 4th – Restoration…
      • Perfect Love…
        • After the Resurrection – Jesus met up with the DISCIPLES in Galilee – John 21:1-17
        • There by the shore – He asked Peter THREE questions…
        • The first TWO times Jesus asked:  Peter do you LOVE [ἀγαπάω] Me…
        • Peter had failed and denied Jesus THREE times – he could not say he AGAPE the Lord…
        • So Peter honestly answers: Lord I LIKE [φιλέω] You!
      • Third Time…
        • The third time Jesus asked He changed His question: Peter do you LIKE Me…
        • Peter was upset by the question – why did Jesus change His question…
        • But Jesus did not expect Peter to come to His level [ἀγαπάω] He came to his level [φιλέω]!
        • Jesus does NOT expect us to be perfect – far from it – He knows we are NOT…
        • But He comes to find us – in our disappointment and self-pity
        • He meets us right where we are – no matter what we have done…
        • And wants to bring us back into that close relationship with Him!


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