Note: this is a bulletin insert that I included with the sermon. The actual sermon follows below it. Ed
Inside Connections and The Jewish Trial of Jesus
(Luke 22:54-65; John 18:12-27; Matt. 26:57-75; Mark 14:54-72)
Have you ever noticed this verse about John sneaking Peter into the courtyard (where Peter denied Christ three times)? John 18:15-16, “Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in.”
Why did John have this influence with the high priest? Although there are several possibilities, one seems most likely: John was related to the high priest. Although the evidence is questionable, Dr. Ron Moseley points to these verses from Acts:
Acts 4:5-7, “The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them:’ By what power or what name did you do this?’”
Additionally, Moseley adds the stronger evidence from Easter Sunday’s events. John 20:5-6, “He[John]bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there…”
We can understand WHY John would have hesitated entering the tomb if he was of priestly lineage: contact with a dead body would defile him. Whether or not John, who was the youngest of the Apostles and possibly as young as 19, was related to the high priest, he does use his clout to sneak Peter into the courtyard.
A few other points worth noting regarding the meeting of the Jewish ruling council, the Sanhedrin. In this illegal, corrupt trial of Jesus, the high priest seems to be leading the council instead of its official ruler, the highly revered and very ethical Gamaliel. It is also likely that council member Nicodemus was not invited to this sham of a meeting because he had demonstrated leanings toward Jesus. Joseph of Arimathea had been a silent disciple of Jesus, so the others did invite him. He demonstrated his faith by opposing their rulings. In Luke 23:50-51, we read, “….Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action….”
Trials at night were illegal. A criminal could not be executed for at least three days after sentencing. But this is scheme, not justice; just leaders were not knowingly invited to this sordid event.
****SERMON STARTS HERE***
Inside Connections and the Jewish Trial of Jesus
(Luke 22:54-65; John 18:12-27; Matt. 26:57-75; Mark 14:54-72)
INTRO
1. Many things change over the years: I-19 (100 years ago)
2. But at least 2 things have not changed: God and human nature.
3. That’s where Theology comes into play…what does it mean?
4. Besides being the science of God, theology also involves God’s purposes and interactions with man….one branch of Theology is called Anthropology (although the term has been confiscated by others) and Hamartiology (sin)
5. We learn Biblical theology from the instructional parts of the Bible (the Law, the Epistles), but also from Bible history (narrative)..
6. Looking at the arrest and Jewish trial of Jesus, we can discern many theological principles about God, man, and sin.
MAIN IDEA: We can learn much about God and man by seeing them in action.
I. The Events Themselves
1. Annas (John 18:12-14, 19-23)
(1) had been high priest for a few years, then his 4 sons, now his son-in-law Caiaphas was serving
(2) Still sometimes called the “high priest” more like the “godfather of the gang”
Jesus quiet at first—said little: How would you feel if you were falsely arrested? What would you do?
(3) Jesus replies to question, “Ask those who heard me…”
(4) Bystander slaps Him, Jesus asks why…
2. Peter & John follow (John 18:15-18)
(1) John, a possible relative of the high priest…
(2) He arranges for Peter to sneak in by talking to girl at gate
(3) Girl at gate says, “aren’t you on of His disciples…”
3. Jesus then taken to another room, that of Caiaphas—in the Council Chamber (Matt. 26:57-58)
(1) Select council members had gathered there in anticipation of Jesus’ arrest…middle of the night
(2) This was illegal/unethical….probably invited only those who they thought hated Jesus enough to condemn Him illegally…behind the back of Gamaliel and Nicodemus…but Joseph managed to be part of the group
(3) Instead of Gamaliel taking charge, Caiaphas did….
(4) False witnesses called….claimed Jesus said He was going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days…but they could not agree….
(5) Caiaphas said, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God”
(6) Jesus legally had to answer under this oath: He states it emphatically: “It is just as you say, and you will see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds in heaven…”
There is no half-way house and there is no parallel in other religions. If you had gone to Buddha and asked Him, "Are you the son of Bramah?" he would have said, "My son, you are still in the vale of illusion." If you had gone to Socrates and asked, "Are you Zeus?" he would have laughed at you. If you had gone to Mohammed and asked, "are you Allah?" he would first have rent his clothes and then cut you head off. If you had asked Confucius, "Are you Heaven?", I think he would have probably replied, "Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste." The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question.
Clear declarations elsewher, e.g., John 4:25-26,"The woman said,"I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes,he will explain everything to us." Then Jesus declared,"I who speak to you am he."
(7) This was what they wanted: “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses?”
(8) Then the guards beat him and other spit on him, blindfolded Him and siad, “Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?”
4. Peter denies Christ two more times before he hears the rooster crow (Luke 22:58-62)
(1) servant girl talks to other who ask if Peter was one of His disciples
(2) others say, “You must be. You have the Galilean accent. One man (related to the servant whose ear had been cut off), “Didn’t I see you in the Olive Grove?”
----Peter calls down curses and says, “I don’t know Him!”
(3) Just then the rooster crows
5. Almost simultaneously with the rooster’s crow, Jesus is being ushered out into the coutyard, turned, and looked at Peter
6. Peter leaves the courtyard and weeps bitterly….
Looking at the arrest and Jewish trial of Jesus, we can discern many theological principles about God, man, and sin. We can learn much about God and man by seeing them in action.
II. What We Can Learn About Human Nature and Society OR “A Cynics’ Delight”
A. Corrupt networks have always plagued mankind
1. You would think the high priestly family would be godly….they were, instead, corrupt….
2. Do not be gullible….not everyone with a religious title is decent!
3. What we have here is nothing short of a rackett…
4. Do not be surprised to find corruption…angry, yes!..Eccl. 5:8
Ecclesiastes 5:8 If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still.
5. We are relational beings, and our social structures are relational…friendship, mutual benefit, etc…if corrupt people get into power, their friends are usually corrupt as well….
6. Many Jewish leaders were upset over these proceedings…including Joseph of Arimathea…
7. In the Talmud, when the question was asked why God allowed the second Temple to be destroyed in 70 AD, the answer given is, “gross injustice and hatred without a cause…”
B. On the positive side, relational networks can be used by God’s people…the church was built around relationships, and the command is for believers to do good to all men, especially to them that are of the household of faith….
C. When people have an agenda, human nature is such that truth and fairness often go out the window….
(1) it is the minority of people, even among Christians, who are conviction-driven; most people simply rearrange the truth and reinterpret events to fit within their framework….
(2) Some simple examples America’s (and the church’s) past include racism, slavery, killing the Indians, stealing land from Mexico…
(3) This is often true in divorce situations where one partner is clearly wrong…the first year, the in-laws will stand behind the victimized party…eventually, matters will be reinterpreted….
(4) Good example: David and Saul in OT…Saul kept trying to kill David…Jonathan reasoned….David proved he could have killed Saul on several occaions…
(5) Once someone has embarked upon an agenda, it seems like nothing can sway them
(6) No matter what miracle Jesus worked, no matter what prophecies He fulfilled…even after His resurrection…these people would not be open to the truth---they only saw what reinforced their agendas…
(7) If you have friends in a cult or into politics, is a great fan on a sports team---you may find they cannot be objective…
D. Even People Close to Us Might Let Us Down
(1) Peter, James, and John were Jesus closest disciples…John at least followed and was there at the cross….James deserted, Peter began to follow but then denies Christ three times…
When have you felt as if you were being interrogated because of your faith?
(2) It’s one thing to be betrayed by Judas, an unbeliever; but Peter’s faith was genuine…..
(3) That feeling of betrayal is one of life’s bitterest experiences…can leave you feeling ALL ALONE….
E. Many people are not necessarily atheists, but they resent God and have a bitter, almost hostile attitude toward Him….like the Priests & Pharisees…
1. Rom 8:6-7—"hostile"
2. We all struggle with WHY questions…some of us scratch our heads, repeatedly ask Him Why, but choose to love and trust God despite it, others hate God and assume the worst about Him, finding fault & criticizing…
3. We know God loves us because of the cross, not life; Rom. 5:8; so we thank God for our blessings and His presence, trust His sovereign plan, and choose to believe He is good despite what seems evidence to the contrary BECAUSE WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING; WE REALIZE THAT JUST BECAUSE WE MAY NOT UNDERSTAND DOES NOT MEAN IT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE SOMEHOW SOME WAY.
4. This is one of the differences between those whom God has prepared and those who are not prepared: the wall of resentment, hostility
III. What We Learn About God: His Purposes Are Fulfilled
A. The Pharisees & high priests thought they were opposing Jesus; in reality, their rotten attitudes were incorporated into a larger plan…redemption of mankind….
B. That’s what is so neat about God’s Sovereignty---sometimes those who oppose Him actually accomplish His purposes---they just do not know it!
C. His love is strong; those in right relationship with Him share the victory and the joy—in the long run.
D. God is the God of the second chance; He often allows us to fail to break us of our stubborn pride---Peter would be a better disciple than ever because his pride would be held in check…he would remember…
CONCLUSION
1. What about you? Are you bitter toward God? Do you want to rake Him over the coals with bitter accusations or do you believe that He will one day make sense of it all for you?
2. Are you truly open to Jesus Christ in your life? Have you invited Him into it?
3. Have you faced the fact that our hearts are deceitful, and, therefore we have feet of clay? Do you expect too much from mankind? Is your world-view realistically aligned with the Bible’s picture of society?
4. Are you in the minority of conviction-driven Christianity, or does your perspective on truth float with your personal feelings?
5. Do you have personal agendas that interfere with God’s direction for your life?
6. Do you appreciate that God is the God of the second, third, and fourth chance? Have you dealt with the guilt of past sins, yet do they serve to keep you humble?
7. My challenge to you: get the assurance of your salvation, and keep growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t stop!!! You need the work. You really do.
