Few months ago, there was an uprise in Romania over a law the government had passed. Some people didn’t agree with the content of the law. Others didn’t mind the law, but were deeply troubled with the fact that it was passed quickly and at night.
Not many good things happen at night. We try to hide in the dark something we are uncomfortable to have seen in the light.
Jesus is betrayed at night. Jesus is arrested based on no grounds at night. Jesus has a tiresome trial all night long.
No sleep. No food. No friends. No family. No warm clothes.
Betrayed by Judas. Arrested by Roman soldiers. Deserted by His disciples. Judged by humanity in an inhumane way.
Let’s take a walk through Jesus’ trial. It was more of a pretend trial, since justice was not sought out.
A Tour Through Jesus’ Trial
1. Anna’s Courtyard
When: Thursday night.
Who: Former high priest, father-in-law of Caiaphas (John 18:13)
What: Annas questions Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. Jesus is slapped and sent to the next one.
*** Peter denied Jesus the first time.
2. Caiaphas Courtyard
When: Thursday night
Who: The current high priest chosen by the Roman authorities. The Jewish leader. The chief of the Sanhedrin.
What: Peter denies Jesus two more times. The rooster crows. It’s cold. That’s why Peter is warming up by the fire. Jesus is probably cold.
3. The Full Sanhedrin (the Jewish high court)
When: Friday, at daybreak.
Who: In front of all the Sanhedrin members (around 71 people), the Jewish court led by the high priest.
What: They question Jesus hoping to trap him to sound guilty. Jesus is tired, lacking sleep all night.
4. Pilate’s Palace (the Roman court)
When: Friday morning.
Who: The Roman Governor over Judea. Jesus is from Galilee.
What: Questioned. No record of breakfast being served to Jesus. He might be hungry.
5. Herod Antipas
When: Friday morning.
Who: The tetrarch (governor) of Galilee. Jesus was in his jurisdiction. He is visiting Jerusalem. (He also killed John the Baptist.) Herod and Pilate were enemies. This is the moment when they become friends. Great opportunity for Pilate to send a friend request to Herod. Luke 23:12
What: Herod heard of Jesus. He is hoping to merely satisfy his curiosity to see Jesus perform miracles. Jesus doesn’t toss pearls before swine. Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Jesus. Luke 23:6-11 Jesus endures shame and mockery.
6. Pilate’s Palace Again (the Roman court)
When: Friday, morning till noon.
Who: Pontius Pilate is governor of Judea, considered as ‘praetor’, commander-in-chief.
What: a lot happens here…
- Jesus is not brought here to seek justice, or a fair trial. The reason Jesus is brought to the Roman Governor is because the Sanhedrin, the Court of the Jews, had no authority to give capital punishment. John 18:31
- Entering this palace, a Jew would become ceremonially unclean, therefore not be able to eat the Passover meal. John 18:28
- Pilate had to come outside to talk to the Jewish leadership.
- Pilate goes back inside the palace and summons Jesus.
- According to them, Jesus becomes ceremonially unclean to eat the passover. But wait. Jesus will not get to enjoy the meal, because He is the lamb, getting ready to be killed.
- Pilate offers to release a prisoner as their custom was. The Jewish leadership chooses a dangerous prisoner called Barabbas.
- Pilate is a junkie approval. Enjoying power, he is trying to please the Jewish authorities. He can’t find reasons to pronounce Jesus as guilty, yet he has Jesus physically abused: Jesus was slapped, flogged, mocked, clothing Him in a purple robe (royal colour) and placing a painful crown of thorns on his head. Jesus suffers inhumane pain.
- Then Pilate goes back outside to the Jews to let them know Jesus is not guilty.
- The Jewish leaders threaten Pilate’s political position. “…If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar…” John 18:12
- Pilate takes his place on the judgment seat (Gabbatha).
- Pilate hands Jesus over to the Jewish leaders and the Roman soldiers. Jesus suffers more inhumane pain.
7. At Golgotha
Jesus is sleep-deprived, hungry, cold, mocked and ridiculed, experiencing excruciating inhumane pain: his entire body was filleted and beaten up. One more stop to end it all. Jesus is going to Golgotha (the Skull) to be crucified.
The prophecy is fulfilled.
What’s In Your Heart?
What’s in our heart will dictate what we do. What kind of hearts did Jesus encounter during His trial?
Judas’ Heart: Led by desire of money (idol of the heart). ⇒ Betrayed Jesus.
Peter’s Heart: Led by fear. ⇒ Abandoned Jesus.
The Jewish Leadership’s Heart: Led by outward appearance only, lacked love. ⇒ Missed the most awaited time in history, by not reading the signs of Jesus being the Messiah.
Pilate’s Heart: Led by pleasing people. ⇒ Allowed Jesus to suffer in spite of what he believed.
Herod’s Heart: Led by mere curiosity and arrogance.⇒ Full of himself, mocked Jesus.
Things I need to work on:
- Get in Jesus’ shoes for a second. Feel His pain and shame. Let it sink in.
- What’s in my heart? Idols of the heart, fear, outward appearance, desire to please people, arrogance? Let Jesus have victory over my struggle.