God on Trial: part 1

God on TrialPART 1JOHN 18:12-27

God on Trial, pt. 1•Ever seen this statue?•Out of all the judicial farces in history, 6 trials were worse than any others and they happened to the same man•Today we’ll look at Jesus’ first trial, and see how the over-confident Peter handles himself…

“12 So the Roman cohort and the commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him, 13 and led Him to Annas first; for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people.

15 Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so was another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered with

Jesus into the court of the high priest, 16 but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in. 17 Then the slave-girl who kept the door *said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He *said, “I am not.” 18 Now the slaves and the officers were standing there, having made a charcoal fire, for it was cold and they were warming themselves; and Peter was also with them, standing and warming himself.

19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples, and about His teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in [g]synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret. 21 Why do you question Me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; they know what I said.” 22 When He had said this, one of the officers standing nearby struck Jesus, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify

of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?” 24 So Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it, and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the slaves of the high priest, being a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off, *said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” 27 Peter then denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed.” John 18:12-27, NASB

The Setting…•The Jewish charge was Blasphemy, but the Romans changed it to Treason•They wanted Him dead at any cost, including their own guilt of lies•To the Polytheistic Romans, blasphemy held no meaning•Changing the charges between trial and appeal?!?

Jewish Regulations…•Their instructions come form the Mosaic Law and the Talmud; consisting of the Mishnah and the Gemara•The following regs HAD TO BE UPHELD or a prisoner was to be let go

Jewish Regulations…•Arrest for a capital crime must be made in broad daylight, not at night—Jesus,?•Arrest for a capital crime may not be made based on information by the offender’s follower, because if the accused was a criminal, so were his followers•No Jewish trial may be held at night; that is, between 6 P.M. and 6 A.M.

Jewish Regulations…•Furthermore, a trial is never to be held before only one person so that partiality or prejudice can be avoided•Members of the Jewish court, after hearing testimony regarding the one accused of a capital crime, are not permitted to render an immediate verdict but are required instead to return to their homes for two days and nights, eating only light food, drinking only light wines, and sleeping well. Then they are to return and hear again the testimony against the accused and cast their vote.

Jewish Regulations…•The Sanhedrin must vote one at a time, the younger men first, so as not to be influenced by the older men on the council•No one man could be judge– at least 3 required– all the Jewish trials were a joke

First Jewish Trial…•Annas was the most powerful and richest guy oin Jerusalem•HP for 17 years and now the HP Emeritus•He OWNED the money system and all trade in town– nobody crossed him

First Jewish Trial…•Annas was the most powerful and richest guy in Jerusalem•HP for 17 years and now the HP Emeritus•He OWNED the money system and all trade in town– nobody crossed him

First Jewish Trial…•Caiaphas was the current HP and son in law of Annas•Need I say more?•Vv 12-14•BTW– How was Jesus’ even taken? What bound Him? Rope?

Peter’s Denial•Vv 15-18, and 25-27, even though he’d been devoted, he walked right into temptation•This is what Jesus’ warning meant in the garden, “watch and pray”•The “other”?•Peter’s actions parallel Scriptures that warn us of bad company, but show Jesus’ Sovereignty

Peter’s Denial•Vv 15-18, and 25-27, even though he’d been devoted, he walked right into temptation•This is what Jesus’ warning meant in the garden, “watch and pray”•The “other”?•Peter’s actions parallel Scriptures that warn us of bad company, but show Jesus’ Sovereignty

Annas and the Truth…•Vv 19-24, Annas is about 70, and gloating that he finally has Jesus in his grasp•He asked Jesus about His doctrine and disciples•Jesus’ answer put the legal burden of proof right back on his shoulders•One of his soldiers rescues him by slapping Jesus– so its off to the dumb son in law…

Take Home•Come’s from Peter’s denial and the rooster•Jesus was in total control, even while being beaten•The Rooster’s Crow was a wake-up call

–An invitation to repentance and a step towards restoration!

“61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.” Luke 22:61-62