"Following his BETRAYAL, JESUS WAS ARRESTED. There were FALSE TRIALS, DENIALS, CONDEMNATION, BEATINGS AND MOCKERY." Hugh Claycombe
The religious leaders in Jerusalem struggled with Jesus' identity, but they soon came to understand His identity as the SON OF GOD and MESSIAH. Still, they chose to REJECT HIM! Some of them still rejected His public teaching and they were jealous of his popularity - Annas - a former High priest, Caiphas - the High Priest and the Sanhedrin. One man, though, was Nicodemus, who had come to Jesus back in John's Gospel, and he still BELIEVED.
"There was a man name Nicodemus , a religious leader, who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening He came to speak with Jesus: "Rabbi", he said, "We all know thatGod has sent you to teach us. You miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you." John 3:1&2 (NLT)
"For God so loved the world He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him, will not perish, but will have EVERLASTING LIFE. God sent His Son into the word, not to condemn the world, but that that the would be SAVED THROUGH HIM." John 3:16&17 (NIV)
This is why Jesus at the time of his arrest Jesus conducted himself with "dignity". He knew that His mission had "consequences". It would lead to a number of trials, no specific charges, "blasphemy claims" and sentence to death. He would go before the Jewish Sanhenhrin and High Priests, then the Roman civil authorities, but it was never in the real "pursuit of truth".
9. TRIAL 1: THE HIGH PRIEST QUESTIONS JESUS.
Read Matthew 26:57-75; Mark 14:53-65; Luke 22:66-71
JESUS: "I have spoken openly to the world. I always taught in the synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews came together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me? " Luke 15:20&21 (NCV)
Peter and John returned and followed Jesus - Peter "lurking in the shadows", while John watched as Jesus was questioned and then later beaten and sent to Caiphas.
"There was a woman who asked Peter: "You're not one of that man's disciples are you?"
"No", he said, "I am not".
Peter was standinding warming himself by the fire, they asked him again: "You're not one of his disciples are you?"
He denied it, saying: "No, I am not".
"Didn't I see you out there in the grove with Jesus?"
Again, Peter denied it. And immediately the rooster crowed." John 18:17, 25-27 (NLT)
"The Sanhedrin - the supreme governing body in Israel. They managed the day to day operation of the Temple. They ruled over civil religious misconduct and occasionally heard criminal cases. Rome had exclusive rights to carry out death sentences." Charles Swindoll
Caiphas met with the members of the "council" and the Sanhedrin in the early hours of Friday morning. The chief priests tried to obtain "false testimonies" against Jesus. They wanted to put Jesus to death. They said:
"We heard him say: "I will destroy this Temple I made with My handsand in three days I will make another Temple." Mark 14:59 (NASB)
"Jesus answered them: "Destroy this temple in 3 days, and I will raise it up".
The Jews then said: "It took 46 years to build this Temple, and you will raise it in 3 days."
Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body." John 2:19-21 (NASV)
By the time the Sanhedrin had finished their questioning, they were read to pass Him on to the Jews.
10. TRIAL 2: PONTIAS PILATE
Read Matthew 27:11-26; Mark 15:1-15; Luke 23:1-7; John 18:28-4
"With the Jewish Passover in full swing, Jerusalem was packed......Jesus was presented to Pilate." Charles Swindoll
This next trial, before Pontias Pilate took place in the PUBLIC ARENA. There was enough evidance for the Romans:
* Jesus claimed to be the King of the Jews - the Messiah.
* Jesus was charged with treason and blasphemy against Rome.
* Other charges remained the same.
"So Pilate asked Him: Are you the King of the Jews?"
Jesus replied: "You have said it".
"Pilate turned the leading priests and to the crowd and said: "I find nothing wrong with this man!" Luke 23: 3&4 (NLT)
Pilate discovered that he was a Galilean, so he decided to send him to Herod Antipas, the Governer of Galilee.
TRIAL 3: HEROD ANTIPAS
Read Luke 23:8-12
"When he learned that Jesus was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod who was also in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, He was pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see Him. From what he had har about Him, he had hoped to see Him perform a sign of some sort. He plied Him with many questions, but Jesus gave no answers." Luke 23:7-9 (NIV)
Herod had come for the Passover celebration and as a leader of the Jewish people, he had taken residence in their courts. He was the Son of Herod the Great and had inherited many of his traits and "cruel dispositions". He was very proud and self indulgent, especially when came to his affairs with women. He advocated for the Jewish people, appearing to be loyal to them, yet at the same time he "balanched his ties with the Rome".
Pilate had known that Herod had wanted to meet with Jesus for a long time, to see His miracles, yet he also knew the Chief Priests and Saducees were standing by "accusing Jesus of wrong doing, and wanting him to be killed". But he had no desire for the "truth", and he finally got tired of their "games". He sent Jesus back to Pilate, after having his soldiers dress him up in "royal robes."
"Then Herod and His soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him. Dressing Him in an elegant robe, they sent Him back to Pilate. That day, Herod and Pilate became friends - before they had been enemies." Luke 23:11&12 (NIV)
11. TRIAL 4: PILATE - "CRUCIFY HIM"
Read Matthew 27:11-26; 15:1-15; Luk3 23:13-24; John 19:1-16
In the cell near the court there was a prisoner called Barrabas. He was soon to be crucified. But during the Jewish Passover there was a policy, that one prisoner was allowed to be released. Pilate was sure that the people would certainly choose Jesus, for he still could find no reason for his arrest, and defintely not his imprisonment. He believed JESUS WAS INNOCENT!
"Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, "Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know I find no basis for a charge against Him." When Jesus came oput wearing His crown of thorns and purple robe, Pilate said to them: "Here is the man!".
As soon as the chief priests and officials saw Him, they shouted: "Crucify Him"! "Crucify Him!"...... "Shall I crucify your King?" Pilate asked. "We have no King, only Ceasar," the Chief Priests answered. Finally Pilate, handed him over to them to be CRUCIFIED." John 19: 4-6; 15&16 (NIV)
Pilate, was convinced of the TRUTH, yet He was terrified of the JEWS, in fear of losing favour from all the leaders in Jerusalem. Herod too had been distracted by the TRUTHand Pilate's wife could not discern it because of FEAR. As for the religious leaders, they were "wilfully frustrated with personal agendas".
"The trials of Jesus were OVER, yet we like all those on the Jury - Herod, Pilates' wife, Pilate and the angry mob, must still reach a verdict today. Today, we can recognize the TRUTHand acknowledge it, or we can still live in FEAR, and REJECT HIM. We can have a great desire of POWER and MATERIALISM, or we can TRUST IN THE LORD AND pursue a RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. Jesus is our SAVIOUR AND KING and and we can go into the world to testify about His TRUTH." Charles Swindoll
"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION" - 2011, Biblica
"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW LIVING TRANSLATION" - 2015, Tyndale House Publishers
"NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE" - 2020, The Lockman Foundation
"JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR" - "King Herod's Song", "Pilate and Christ", "Trial Before Pilate", - Andrew Lloyd Weber/Tim Rice (Composers); Bruce Dow: Herod , Barry Dennon:Pilate, Ted Neeley: Jesus (Performers) 2012/2016, Broadway/You Tube:Video
SWINDOLL,Charles, "Great Life of All - Jesus" - Chapter 14- "The Last Trials and Torture of Jesus" , 2008, Thomas Nelson
CLAYCOMBE, Hugh, "Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps and Time Lines - 10th Anniversary - Pam Sunday to Easter - Walking with Jesus Each Day - False Trials", 2015, Rose Publishing
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