02 February 2, 2014, John 18-19, Jesus On Trial

John 18-19Jesus on Trial

February 2, 2014First Baptist ChurchJackson, Mississippi

USA

Book Reference

THE DARKNESS AND THE DAWN:

Empowered by The Tragedy and Triumph

of the Cross

By

Charles Swindoll

2001

THE DARKNESS AND THE DAWN

Chapter 5

“The Six Trials of Jesus”

Charles Swindoll

THE SETTING OF JOHN 18-19

• Crowds in Jerusalem for Passover – 2.7 Million

• Festive spirit about religious celebration

• Jesus was the talk of the town

• Religious leaders did not want disruption

• Advance planning for Jesus’ public demise

• Roman rule superseded Jewish/Hebrew law

The Jewish Court System

• Designed to favor the accused

• Multiple witnesses’ testimony must agree

• Blasphemy was a capital offense.

• It was difficult to get a conviction on a capital offense.

• Death by stoning was the method of execution.

KANGAROO COURT

• A mock court in which the principles of law and justice are disregarded or perverted.

• Term originated in the 1849 Gold Rush in which there were many “claim jumping miners”.

• Justice was proceeding “by leaps” as a kangaroo would jump.

• “American” term only.

• The trials of Jesus would fit the definition of a Kangaroo Court.

Lawyer Sues Israel, Italy, King Herod and Emperor Tiberius…August 6, 2013• Lawyer Dola Indidis from Kenya argues that the trial of

Jesus was unlawful.

• Filed a suit with the International Court of Justice, the judicial branch of the UN.

• “I filed the case because it’s my duty to uphold the dignity of Jesus and I have gone to the ICJ to seek justice for the man from Nazareth. His selective and malicious prosecution violated his human rights through judicial misconduct, abuse of office, bias and prejudice.”

• The ICJ said they have no jurisdiction for this case.

The Prophecy of Jesus’ Trials

• The Messiah would be betrayed by a friend:

9 Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me. Psalms 41:9

18 “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’ … 21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” John 13:18, 21


• The Messiah will be sold for 30 pieces of silver

12 I told them, “If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.” So they paid me thirty pieces of silver. 13 And the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the handsome price at which they valued me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at the house of the LORD. Zechariah 11:12-13


• The Messiah will be sold for 30 pieces of silver: Fulfilled

3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” Matthew 27:3-4a


• The Messiah will be forsaken by His disciples

7 “Awake, sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!” declares the LORD Almighty. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones. Zechariah 13:7

31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:“ ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ Matthew 26:31


• The Messiah will be accused by false witnesses:

Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about. Psalms 35:11

Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: Mark 14:56-57

The Prophecy of Jesus’ Trial

• The Messiah will be silent in front of his accusers:

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. Isaiah 53:7

Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent. Matt 26:62-63


• The Messiah will be beaten, mocked and spat upon:

6 I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. Isaiah 50:6

67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?” Matthew 26:67-68


• The Messiah will be sneered at and mocked:

7 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. Psalms 22:7

11 Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Luke 23:11


• The Messiah will be rejected:

3 He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Isaiah 53:3

18 But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” … 20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Luke 23:18, 20-21

TIME MEASUREMENT IN 1ST CENTURY

• Roman & Gentile world - new day begins 1 second after midnight.

• Jewish World – “watches” of 3 hour segments– 1st watch begins at 6 PM (6 PM – 9 PM)– 2nd watch (9 PM – 12 Midnight)– 3rd watch (12 AM – 3 AM)– 4th watch (3 AM – 6 AM)– 6 AM – 7 AM is 1st Hour– 7AM – 8 AM is 2nd Hour, etc.– 12 Noon is 6th Hour

JESUS’ ARREST AND TRIAL #1John 18:12-14

Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people. John 18:12-14

JESUS’ TRIAL #1John 18:19-23

Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.” When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded. “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. John 18:19-23

TRIAL #1 - Annas

• 1st Jewish Trial was probably 2 AM (3rd watch of night)

• Annas had been High Priest for 17 prior years

• Was High Priest when Jesus drove money changers from temple with a whip in John 2:15

• Jesus charged with “irreverence to High Priest”

• No witnesses to testify to charges as required

TRIAL #2 – BEFORE CAIAPHASMatthew 26:57-59

57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. 59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. Matt. 26:57-59

Matthew 26:60-62Trial #2 Continues…

60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ” 62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” Matthew 26:60-62

#2 - JESUS BEFORE CAIAPHAS Matthew 26:63-64

63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” 64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Matt 26:63-64

TRIAL #2 – ContinuesMatthew 26:65-68

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered. Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?” Matt 26:65-68

JESUS BEFORE CAIAPHAS – TRIAL #2

• Jewish Trial before the High Priest at 3 AM

• Jesus obligated to answer since “under oath”

• Charged with BLASPHEMY– “An attitude of disrespect that finds expression in an

act directed toward the character of God.– 3rd Commandment – Misuse of God’s name– Punishable by stoning to death– Jews under Roman rule could not carry out the death

penalty

TRIAL #3 – SanhedrinLuke 22:66-69

66 At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. 67 “If you are the Messiah,” they said, “tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, 68 and if I asked you, you would not answer. 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” Luke 22:66-69

TRIAL #3 – SanhedrinLuke 22:70-71

70 They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.” Luke 22:70-71

TRIAL #3 – THE SANHEDRIN

• 71 Members – Highest Jewish Council

• Vote individually – youngest to oldest

• No night verdicts – Trial began at 6:00 AM

• No immediate verdicts –

• Charge of Blasphemy

The Sanhedrin

THE SANHEDRIN DILEMMA

• Unable to carry out the Jewish Court penalty of death by stoning because of Roman Rule

• Needed to carry Jesus before Roman authorities in Roman Courts for death penalty

• Charges against Jesus switched from BLASPHEMY to TREASON.

• Romans could execute for TREASON, but not for BLASPHEMY

TRIAL #4 – JESUS BEFORE PILATELuke 23:1-4

1 Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.” 3 So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 4 Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” Luke 23:1-4

TRIAL #4 – JESUS BEFORE PILATELuke 23:5-7

5 But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.” 6 On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. 7 When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. Luke 23:5-7

TRIAL #4 - PILATE

• Roman Governor of Jerusalem area

• Pilate was very anti-Semitic; “the wolf for Jewish blood”

• In Jerusalem to keep peace during Passover

• Was currently under investigation for mistreatment of Jews

• Was accommodating to Jews because of the accusations

• Was a rival of Herod – tried to undermine each other

Pilate

TRIAL #5 – HERODLuke 23:8-10

8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort. 9 He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. Luke 23:8-10

TRIAL #5 – HERODLuke 23:11-12

11 Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and

mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe,

they sent him back to Pilate. 12 That day Herod and Pilate became friends —before this they had been enemies. Luke 23:11-12

HEROD ANTIPAS

• Son of Herod the Great – Killed babies in Bethlehem when Jesus was born

• Ruled over Galilee – Area north of Jerusalem

• Had John the Baptist beheaded

• Jesus had called him a fox when Pharisees tried to scare him out of Galilee

TRIAL #5 - HEROD

• 7 AM

• Pilate did NOT rule Jesus guilty of TREASON

• Herod was in Jerusalem to assist with crowd control

• Looked upon Jesus as a magician

TRIAL #6 – BACK TO PILATEMatthew 27:1-2

1 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. 2 So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor. Matt 27:1-2

TRAIL #6 – BACK TO PILATEMatthew 27:11-14

11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor. Matt 27:11-14

TRIAL #6 Continues…Matthew 27:15-19

15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him. 19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” Matt 27:15-19


20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. 21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered. 22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” 23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” Matt 27:20-23


24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” 25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. Matt 27:24-26

TRIAL #6 – BACK TO PILATE

• Herod had no accusations, just mockery

• Jesus now wearing one of Herod’s old robes

• Now 7:30 AM

• God’s plan continues to unfold ………

WHY?????

Isaiah 53:5-65 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

JESUS’ PRAYER FOR HIMSELF

John 17:1-51 ….He looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

Spiritual

02 February 2, 2014, John 18-19, Jesus On Trial