Who's Really on Trial Here?
1 Amens
INTRO = We have spent some time recently in our “Meeting the Savior” series, discussing that Jesus, the Savior, would be leaving his disciples, but that in His absence, something glorious would happen in their lives. The Holy Spirit would be sent to them, and the Holy Spirit would become their teacher, comforter, helper, counselor, and intercessor. This has been the theme of John’s Gospel since the observance of the Last Supper in John 13. So John 14,15,16, & 17, have all been a very focused conversation that Jesus has, exclusively with his disciples in order to prepare them for what is about to transpire in John 18 and beyond.
So as you turn to John 18 – let’s remind ourselves of who John is. He’s the last surviving disciple who finishes his years in
But he is also an eyewitness of the life, death and resurrection of Christ. And John 18 is a rich combination of both of these concerns = the theological and historical!
John 18:1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the
à (WFC) “brook” of Kidron == Map of Gethsemane
2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 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.
à Judas is an interesting character. We know that he had problems with Jesus because he probably wanted Jesus to become more powerful as a political figure, and not simply as a teacher. So Judas is now given tremendous power. The Greek word for “band of soldiers” is a reference to up to 600 men, and beside that, he has officers of the chief priest, and they are all coming to capture Jesus – Finally, Judas is going to show everyone who should really be in charge!
4 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?"
à Jesus stands in front of his disciples and takes the point position – he is going to defend his flock!
5 They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth."
à Let’s remember for a moment that Jesus is born in
Jesus said to them, "I am he." Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 So he asked them again, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." 8 Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go." 9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: "Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one."
à What a powerful event! They say they are looking for Jesus of
à Now, the language that Jesus spoke was Aramaic. But the NT is preserved in the Greek language. The simple answer to the troops question that Jesus gives is the phrase “Ego Eime.” Ego Eime means I AM! Jesus says this 21 times in John’s gospel and it is part of John’s THEMATIC objective to reveal that Jesus, the Savior, is really Jesus the LORD, the I AM of the OT, which becomes the Divine Name for GOD. The crowning use of this phrase by Jesus is in John
What is really interesting is that all English translations supply the pronoun “he” here. Like Jesus is saying, “I AM HE.” But it is simply, I AM! When Jesus says I AM the good shepherd, it isn’t translated “I AM HE the good shepherd.” Since there is a participle supplied, it is simply, Ego Eime the good shepherd, Ego Eime the true vine, Ego Eime the Way the Truth and the Life. I AM begs for a participle. So when they ask “We are looking for Jesus.” Jesus Says, I AM…. Busy right now… John wants us to believe that Jesus is God, and makes that clear with an exclamation point in John 18.8! I AM, now all fall down!
à The reference to Jesus not losing any of his own is a recollection of his prayer in John 17; but it is also the language of the OT shepherd who is able to gather and care for his sheep.
Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)
à I like John’s recall of a particular person’s name. Today, we don’t know why his name is important, but perhaps in John’s day, Malchus became well known in the church. Maybe in the future, one day we’ll find out why again.
11 So Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?"
à We’d expect Jesus to say, “He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword.” But John recalls the cup that he would agonize over which we learn more about in Jesus’ Prayer from Matthew’s gospel.
12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.
à There is some intrigue here for why Jesus is brought to Annas first (Which in the Greek, his name is Annan). Here’s some theories: The OT states that a High Priest serves for life. However our passage indicates that Caiaphas was in charge, THAT YEAR. Caiaphas' term in office was recorded by the first-century Jewish historian Josephus. He was appointed in 18bc by the Roman procurator who preceded Pilate, Valerius Gratus. This temporary rule was probably imposed upon the Jews by the Romans to avoid giving any one individual standing power. But in the minds of the faithful Jews, even though Caiaphus was the officially recognized High Priest in political terms, Annas was most likely considered the rightful descendant of Aaron who was the TRUE JEW High Priest. And historic records indicate that he did serve a term as High Priest. Jesus is brought to Annas because of Jewish privilege (OR, he presides over a lower court),
à Now there is a break in the action, as we follow Peter and his trial…
15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest,
à Who is that OTHER DISCIPLE? I’m leaning toward Judas right now…
16 but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, "You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?" He said, "I am not."
à What’s going on here? Peter was just an official 3 musketeer, taking on a standing army, and now he gets worked by a little girl. Now she did ask a leading question, expecting a negative answer – but Peter lied and denied!
à Poor Peter, in all 4 Gospels, both the prediction of his denial, and the fulfillment of that denial is recorded. He is not an admirable man at this point as a follower of Christ, and yet he becomes very prominent in the Church as a leader. HE Preaches the first spirit inspired sermon in Acts 2, He is the first to take the Gospel to the Gentiles, He writes NT letters to the church, he was an incredible man! But he had a checkered track record as a disciple with Jesus. In John’s Gospel, he will conclude the entire work with the restoration of Peter. Whereas Luke continues the story with the book of Acts; only John’s Gospel devotes time to Peter receiving Post Resurrection Restoration! The very charcoal fire where Peter denies Jesus will be rekindled again along the shores of the
18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself. 19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
à Did you catch the reference to the “High Priest?” This is Annas asking Jesus – a former High Priest, but still regarded as the legitimate High Priest. John preserves this account where the other Gospels do not.
20 Jesus answered him, "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. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said."
à Just a legal note: Jesus is only asking for what is appropriate in a Jewish court of law – ask the witnesses!! Who and where are the witnesses bringing accusations against me? I’d like to face my accusers. YOU SIR, are conducting a “Fishing expedition” trying to trap me, trying to lead me into self incrimination, so let me just remind you of how a court case is supposed to proceed: Bring at least two witnesses with some legitimate charges! BTW, We just read that two disciples, one known to the HIGH PRIEST, were outside in the courtyard, why weren’t they called in?
22 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?" 23 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?" 24 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
à Interesting part of John’s story to preserve = 2 High Priests pronounce the same sentence upon Jesus!
à In 1990, two miles south of present day Jerusalem, 12 ossuaries were discovered (bone boxes). One ossuary was inscribed with the full name, in Aramaic of "Joseph, son of Caiaphas", and a second with simply the family name of "Caiaphas". So they found the family tomb of a wealthy family named Caiaphas! After examination, the bones were reburied on the Mount of Olives.
25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, "You also are not one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it and said, "I am not." 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Did I not see you in the garden with him?" 27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.
à A study by Pere Lagrange, a Dominican priest, living in Jerusalem in the early 1900’s described the natural cockcrow at Jerusalem between March and April as occurring most frequently between 3 and 5 a.m.,
28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover.
à The Feast of Passover lasts 7 days. The culmination of the Feast is the sacrifice of the Pashal Lamb in the afternoon, which was to be roasted and consumed that night. Jesus had already celebrated a Passover Meal with his disciples. Since the festival lasted 7 days, they could have participated in a pre-Pesach service. That would be the easiest to conclude, there are other theories, but I’m beginning to sound like the X Files. The tragedy here is that these Jewish leaders did not want to defile themselves by coming into contact with the “Leaven” of a Gentile residence, but they had no problem mocking God’s law when trying to convict one of their own!
- Conducted a Trial at Night
- Did not provide custody for the accused; but tried and convicted him in a single day
- Slapped an accused
- And Held a trial prior to the day of a High and Holy Feast
- We read of other violations in the other gospels such as a high priest tearing his clothes
29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this man?" 30 They answered him, "If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you." 31 Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." The Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death." 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.
à And what kind of death was he to die? By being lifted upon a tree. (TABLE)
This was a life and death case – someone was trying to preserve their life, thinking they could avoid their death. Someone else was going to suffer death to provide a new life that would never die again.
The Apostle John already indicated this in John
Everyone in this room has to contemplate the life and death scenario! For as certain as there is the good news of the resurrection of Christ, there is also a court trial, and a decision that will be rendered.
We’ve just contemplated the first trail in John of Jesus (and Peter for that matter) on trial before the Jews. They had their place and their power and their presuppositions, and they tried Jesus, the Lord of Glory, by their human standards, and wanted him dead! So who is really on Trial here?
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Dennis Sidfrid
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