- Judas, one in His own inner circle has betrayed Him for 30 silver coins. (The price of a wounded slave.) Although Jesus knew it was coming, it must have felt like someone had punched Him in the gut. His heartbreak is recorded in Psalm 55:12-14 - "If an enemy were insulting Me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising Himself against me, I could hide from Him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God." Can't you hear the pain and the disappointment?
Have you ever experienced betrayal - by a friend; a spouse; a parent; a child? Jesus understands because He too has experienced betrayal.
- Peter draws his sword and cuts off the ear of one of the soldiers. Peter didn't have a clue what the will of God was because he had been sleeping when he should have been praying. His actions could have caused the slaughter of the disciples in the Garden. Jesus' 3-year ministry into the lives of these men would have been destroyed along with the gospel message. (By the way, Jesus reattached the soldiers ear.)
How often do we misunderstand God's will for our lives because we've slept through our prayer time?
- All the disciples desert Him. Peter, one of the inner 3, would later deny knowing Him 3 different times. (Luke 22:54-62)
How often do we deny knowing Him with our silence? With our behavior? With our attempts at bowing to political correctness? By calling ourselves a Christian, but not acting like one?
The Trials - There's so much - but in an attempt at brevity, I've chosen the high points.
Jesus allows Himself to be dragged from trial to trial. The decision for the death penalty has already been decided. The religious leaders must come up with a legitimate reason to have the Romans execute Him.
1. Trial #1 - Anas, Former High Priest ~2:30am
2. Trial #2 - Caiaphas, High Priest ~ 3:00am
Jesus is blind-folded and mocked at this trial. Otherwise dignified rulers spit on His face and strike Him with their fists. Others slap Him. And Jesus, the Son of God, your Savior and mine, stood meekly and allowed the assault.
3. Trial #3 - The Sanhedrin ~ 5:00am
4. Trial #4 - Pilate, the Roman Governor ~ 6:00am
The Sanhedrin assembly leads Jesus to Pilate. In order for Pilate to take the case, they begin leveling false accusations such as: "He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar." "He's subverting our nation." (Pitiful- What liars.)
After talking to Jesus, Pilate can't find any reason to charge Him. He's thrilled when he finds out that Jesus is from Galilee. It's Herod's jurisdiction - He sends Jesus to Herod.
5. Trial #5 - Herod
Herod, just a short time prior, had John the Baptist beheaded at the request of his stepdaughter. Herod had liked John and had been intrigued with his messages - but never made the attempt to respond. I guess he was too busy. Jesus knew this and as a result, refused to speak. Herod tells Jesus to perform a miracle. It's as if he wants to see a magic trick. Yet Herod is met with deafening silence.
Does Jesus seem silent in your life? What was the last thing He asked you to do? Did you do it? We have to respond to the Truth we are given in church, in a devotion or through a godly friend. If we do not, we may risk His silence in our lives as well.
Herod and his minions ridicule Jesus and mock Him as they dress Him in an elegant robe sending Him back to Pilate.
Tomorrow:
Trial #6 - Before Pilate for the final time; Flogging - what does that mean? Crucified - the details of what happens to the body.
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