Events present in all 4 accounts:
- Betrayal of Jesus by Judas
- Denial of Jesus by Peter
- Trial of Jesus before Pilate
Jesus’ arrest and trial
Jesus is betrayed by Judas:
Matthew 26:47-50 “While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!!” And kissed him. 50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.”
- Jesus makes absolutely no effort to avoid being arrested by the religious leaders.
- Even though his disciples clearly misunderstand Jesus’ intentions (one of them even cuts off the ear of the high priest’s servant!), Jesus remains steadfast, heals the servant’s ear, and submits to being arrested.
Luke 22:49-51 “When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.”
Jesus shows obedience to the will of the father
- Last week we heard about Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and how he prayed that the will of the Father would be done. That was in preparation for and directly leading up to these following events.
- It is important to remember that throughout all of these events, Jesus had the power and knowledge to prevent His punishment. He WILLINGLY chose to be sentenced and die for our sins.
Practical aspects of Jesus’ trial:
1. Testimony before Annas (the previous high priest of the Sanhedrin)
- Happened illegally at night
2. Testimony before Caiaphas (the current high priest)
- Happened illegally at night
3. Hearing before the full Sanhedrin (the high council of the Jewish leaders)
- “Formal” hearing and declaration of Jesus’ guilt
- Jesus declares during this “trial” that He is the Messiah.
Mark 14:61-62 “61 Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
4. Testimony before Pilate (the Roman governor of Judea and Samaria)
5. Testimony before tetrarch Herod (the part-Jewish leader of Galilee and Perea)
6. Sent back to Pilate for final sentencing, after being mocked and dressed like a “king”
- Through all of these events, we see Jesus’ repeated willingness to give himself up for the benefit of all people. At any point during these proceedings, Jesus could have prevented the final result of His crucifixion. Instead, He repeatedly submits to the will of the Father for the forgiveness of our sins. THAT is the type of God we serve.
Peter’s denial
- Each of the 4 accounts is incredibly consistent with regards to these particular events, however, the books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke capture some critical additional details that I would like to discuss.
Luke 22:56-62 “56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” 57 But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said. 58 A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. 59 About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” 60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.”
- Each of these three accounts (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) capture how distraught Peter was after he realized what he had done. In each account it records how he broke down and bitterly wept.
- Is this how we react when we realize the sin in our own lives? Peter literally mourned the actions that he carried out. In the moment, it can be incredibly easy for us to only look out for our own self-interest, but when the moment comes what will our response be to people questioning our faith?
- Sin in our own lives can sometimes be like what we see in Peter’s responses here. It starts off small, or like a passive dismissal. But by the end of the 3rd denial Peter is literally swearing and cursing that he does not know Jesus. If we are not watchful/careful then sin can grow into our lives into something that we are ashamed of.
- It can be easy to look at Peter and condemn him for denying/disowning Jesus. However, each of us has denied Jesus at some point in our life.
- It is also worth noting that Jesus did not condemn Peter, but rather chose to forgive him.
- We must recognize the gravity of what Peter did, but accept in humility that we are no better than him in our own sin. Each time we sin against Jesus, we are essentially denying Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives.
