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In chapters 18 -19 the humiliation and death of the Son of God is not
the predominate theme of these most sacred chapters. Jesus Christ's courage, dignity, obedience,
concern for others, and unswerving faith in the Father are what shine through. Jesus is not a victim
of circumstances over which He had no control. The cross became His victory symbol as He
triumphed over evil for all mankind. As this chapter develops we begin to understand, Jesus is not the only one on trial. Each person must make a choice. Is Jesus who he claimed to be or is he a liar? We can either stand with Jesus or stand with the world. However, that choice has eternal consequences. In this trial we watch the choice of Pilate, the people, and ourselves. This chapter opens with Jesus seeking the will of His Father in prayer. His prayer (as ours should be) was meant to nourish His inner life. This prayer was not meant to change external circumstances, but to show His followers how to sharpen their internal dependence on the only true source of strength. Jesus knew that He would win the victory through prayer. However, the disciples slept. In the years to come, how they must have wished they had been more support for Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. When He arose from prayer, He was prepared for the events that would follow. John records that the soldiers were felled by the speech of Jesus Christ, God in human form. We must understand it was not in weakness that He went to the cross, but to complete His Father's will. Annas was the father of Caiaphas. Four of Annas' sons had become high priests. However, he was the power behind His sons. Annas made his living by subtle forms of extortion. He practiced the fleecing of worshipers in the temple tax, the selling of animals, and the changing of coins. Jesus cleansed the temple twice, once at the beginning of His earthly ministry and the second time near the end. When Jesus chased the money changers out of the temple He was hitting Annas and Caiaphas where it hurt, in their pocketbook. There were several trials between midnight and the crucifixion at 9:00 a.m.; The religious trials of Annas, Caiaphas, and the Sanhedrin, the political trials of Pilate, Herod, and the people. These trials were not only a mockery of justice but also to Jewish law. (1) Jewish law decreed that the Sanhedrin could not meet before daybreak. (2) Annas should have held the man who hit Jesus in contempt of court. (3) In Leviticus 21:10 it states that it is unlawful for a priest to rend his clothes. (4) Not all the members of the Sanhedrin were present at the trial, only enough for a quorum. In John 18:20-21 Jesus was instructing them to obtain their evidence in the proper and legal way. In this chapter we also see the denial of Jesus by Peter. Often we are apt to emphasize the shame of Peter's denial and forget his courage in the garden. He stood boldly against the Roman division of soldiers. The usual number of soldiers in a Roman division was 600. It is believed that probably a third of that number was sent to the garden that night. Before we judge the actions of Peter, we must first consider how many times you or I have suffered humiliation because of loyalty to Jesus. How often have you or I denied Jesus with our silence? Read Luke 22:60-62. When Jesus saw Peter, He looked at him. He knew Peter's heart and what he would become. That look broke Peter's heart. He left the courtyard in tears of brokenness and repentance. It is in the character of brokenness, when we see ourselves through the eyes of Jesus, it is then that Jesus can truly work in our lives. The Lord Jesus Christ, God of glory, creator and ruler of the universe had never known a restraining hand. He allowed Himself to be humiliated in order for you and I, prisoners bound by our sin, fears, and circumstances to be forever set free by Him. Have you thanked Him for what it cost Him to set you free? Will you deliberately choose to be conformed to His image and submit to the circumstances of God's choice for you? |