A tale of two trials

In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is defending Tom Robinson. He’s on trial for assaulting Mayella Ewell.

Atticus proves the Tom couldn’t have done it, and while the town is putting Tom on trial, Atticus is putting the town on trial, to convict them of their racism and prejudice.

John 18:12-27

John shows us the trial of two men here; Jesus and Peter.

One answers truthfully while one is found to be false (v. 20-21, 23; 17,25-27)

One chooses comfort with enemies, while the other faces their condemnation. (v. 18; 12)

How wild is this that Peter is standing around the fire that Jesus’ enemies made?

One shows cowardice under pressure, the other displays courageous conviction.

See, in To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus shows the town that there is something morally, fundamentally wrong with how they view people of color. He’s exposing this deep seeded hatred and distrust of black people, but while Jesus’ trial is going on, He exposes things that are in Peter’s life but, to be honest, they are things that can be in our lives too.

Three things that trials reveal

Following Jesus at a Distance Leads to Compromise (v. 15–18)

I’ve seen a lot of things, but I’ve never seen anyone who’s able to have a foot in the world, and a foot in the kingdom.

Following Jesus is worth the price.

Fear Makes Us Deny What We Claim to Believe (v. 17, 25–27)

When we abide in Christ, we need fear nothing in this world.

Failure Is Not the End When Grace Is Greater (v. 27; 21:15 - 19)

Read John 21:15 - 19

Our sin is no match for our unstoppable God.