“Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put Him to death, for they feared the people.” —Luke 22:1-2 (ESV)
Passover:
-Largerst National Holiday
-2.5 Million People in Town
-Time of Tension and Unrest
“Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of a crowd.” —Luke 22:3-6 (ESV)
“So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons.” —John 18:3 (ESV)
Band: “Speira”- A military cohort (600 troops)
“Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to Him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” … When Jesus said to them, “I Am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.” —John 18:4-6 (ESV)
JESUS IS SUPERMAN IN HANDCUFFS
“Then they seized Him and led Him away, bringing Him into the high priest’s house…” —Luke 22:54 (ESV)
“So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. First they led Him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.” —John 18:12-13 (ESV)
THE 6 TRIALS OF JESUS
TRIAL #1: ANNAS (2am)
-Retired High Priest (Still goes by the title)
-Father in Law of Current High Priest
-Made Money from Temple Vendors
“The high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching.” —John 18:19 (ESV)
“I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.” —John 18:20-24 (ESV)
TRIAL #2: Caiaphas (3:30am)
“Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they found none. For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimony did not agree.” —Mark 14:55-56 (ESV)
-Injustice #1- The timing
—Trials could only take place during the day in public
—Trials were not allowed to take place during Holidays
-Injustice #2: - The Witnesses
—All witness must agree or there would be a mistrial
—If a witness contradicted or was found false, they would receive the sentence of the accused
“And [Caiaphis] stood up and said, “Have You no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against You?” But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard His blasphemy. What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” —Matthew 26: 62-66 (ESV)
“When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death.” —Matthew 27:1 (ESV)
TRIAL #3: THE SANHEDRIN (6am)
-Injustice #3: The Due Process
—Sanhedrin was to serve as a Supreme Court
—They were not to bring a case
-Injustice #4: The Sentencing
—Death sentences were supposed to go one by one vote
—Vote was to be unanimous
—Death sentence was to be carried out by the accuser
TRIAL #4: PILATE: (6:30am)
“Then the whole company of them arose and brought Him before Pilate. And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this Man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” —Luke 23:1-2 (ESV)
Pilate
-Roman Govenor over Judean Region
-Tenure not off to a good start
-On a Probabtion
“Are you the King of the Jews?” And He answered him, “You have said so.” Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this Man.” But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.” —Luke 23: 3-5 (ESV)
TRIAL #5: HEROD (7am)
“When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see Him, because he had heard about Him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by Him.” —Luke 23:8 (ESV)
Herod:
-Son of Herod the Great
-Had John the Baptist Beheaded
When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see Him, because he had heard about Him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by Him. So he questioned Him at some length, but He made no answer.” —Luke 23:8-9 (ESV)
“Our Lord Jesus Christ came not into this world to be a performer: He did not leave His glory to earn the wondering approbation of men; and as Herod regarded Him as a mere wonderworker, and would have turned his court into a theatre wherein Jesus should be the chief actor, our Lord very wisely held His peace and did nothing at all.” -Charles Spurgeon
“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” —James 4:6
“The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing Him. And Herod with His soldiers treated Him with contempt and mocked Him. Then, arraying Him in splendid clothing, he sent Him back to Pilate.” —Luke 23:10-11 (ESV)
TRIAL #6 PILATE (7:30am)
“Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this Man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining Him before you, behold, I did not find this Man guilty of any of your charges against Him. Neither did Herod, for he sent Him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by Him. I will therefore punish and release Him.” —Luke 23:13-16 (ESV)
“But they all cried out together, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”…Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify Him!” A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has He done? I have found in Him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release Him.” But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that He should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. (Other Gospels say the he feared they would riot) So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.” —-Luke 23:18-25 (ESV)
“BARABBAS”
-Bar- “Son”
-Abba- “Father”
“SON OF A FATHER”
“The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.”- CS Lewis