I used to like to climb rocks when I was younger. I never gave a thought to snakes sunning themselves on rocks or spiders and other creatures hiding in the crevices. There was an old bridge near where I lived that crossed a small stream, with rocks built up on both sides. I loved to sit on the rocks and watch the water go by, listening to its babbling. When I saw this field of rocks as an adult, I thought no way! But as a kid, I probably would have been ready to take it on. Oh but the trials of such an attempt! Feet slipping off the rocks into sharp places…Losing your balance and falling…Not being able to make much progress on the rough terrain…Uneven surfaces…Possibility of injuries…
Trials of Jesus. Jesus’s trials were not a bed of rocks, but were every bit as harmful and torturous…not to mention illegal. I’m not a theologian, so my comments will be simple, and I have included internet links to further descriptions/commentaries of each of the trials. These three were considered the Hebrew or Jewish trials based on Mosaic Laws.
(1) The appearance before Annas. Just reading these two verses gives me the impression that there was something going on between the Romans and the religious leaders. Were they scratching each other’s backs in an attempt to be rid of Jesus once and for all??? The religious leaders couldn’t arrest anyone, so they needed the Romans on their side, and the Romans were only too glad to arrest someone and arrange their death by crucifixion. That was their attempt to show the citizens what could happen to them, too, if they disobeyed the Roman government.
“So the Roman cohort and the commander
and the officers of the Jews,
arrested Jesus and bound Him,
and led Him to Annas first;
for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas,
who was high priest that year”
John 18:12, 13
Have you ever dragged someone into a conversation because you wanted someone to back you up even if it wasn’t with the best intentions? You heard what she said, right?! We need to do our due diligence before we draw others in on what might be a wrongful assumption on our part.
(2) The trial at the night session of the Sanhedrin. The religious leaders were in a hurry to get their dastardly deed done before the Sabbath so they broke more than one rule of fair trials and justice, the first one being that they held it at night instead of waiting until the next day when things could be done in proper order. The religious council scrounged for witnesses who would say what they wanted them to say instead of speaking the truth. When they got what they wanted to hear, they plunged into a sentence of death.
“Those who had arrested Jesus took him
to Caiaphas the high priest,
where the teachers of the law
and the elders had assembled.”
Matthew 26:57 (through 68)
Do we sometimes take what we hear and twist it to suit ourselves or our situation? See? I told you so! If it’s not truth, it’s not justice. Make sure you have your ducks in a row and that they are all ducks, not chickens or some other fowl (pun intended 😊).
(3) The examination at the morning sitting of the same court. (In this link, scroll down until you come to the heading “The Jewish Leaders Accuse Jesus (18:29-32)”.) Pilate listened to the charges and to Jesus, but it appears he didn’t want to be the one to sentence Jesus to death. He was caught between the people, the religious leaders, and Roman law. He tried to get out of it by offering Barabbas but the crowd wouldn’t hear of it. So he washed his hands of it as if that would absolve him of Jesus’ death.
“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!”
Matthew 27:24
How many times have you walked by someone who needed help and kept going thinking someone else can help? Maybe it’s not your (mine) responsibility, but if the shoe was on the other foot, wouldn’t you want someone to stop and help you? I know we have to be very careful these days or what we thought would be helpful could backfire, and that often keeps us from reaching out. As we wrap up these three trials of Jesus today, take time to meditate on them and recognize the truths. Jesus was not tried fairly, but what if He had been? Would the story have ended the same? Would He have been freed? What then? We would not have the forgiveness of sin and eternal life. God uses horrible events sometimes to bring about His plan.
PRAYER POINT FOR TODAY:
Lord, I know what You went through was extremely hard on your body and mind, but I am thankful that You endured to the end for me.
- Week 1 – temptation
- Week 2 – confession, forgiveness, and fasting
- Week 3 – listening to God and answering when He calls
- Week 4 – God’s love for us
- Week 5 – waiting, anxiety, and trust
- Week 6 – suffering (W), pain (T), and struggles (F-S), rejoicing (Palm Sunday), Trials (M-T-W), Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Silent Saturday
- Easter – resurrection and salvation