DAYS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD: The Trials

Mark 14:53 CSB

They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes assembled.

INTRO—

APRIL 18, 1512 —

Faith on Trial… (in this case religious & civil magistrates)

DIET OF WORMS

Reason for the Trial = OCTOBER 31, 1517…95 THESES

[critiques of the abuses of Christian faith by the Catholic Church of Luther’s day]

“Unless I am convinced by Scripture and by plain reason and not by Popes and councils who have so often contradicted themselves, my conscience is captive to the word of God. To go against conscience is neither right nor safe. I cannot and I will not recant. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me.”

“Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me.”

DAYS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD…

THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY OF EASTER WEEK

FRIDAY (Midnight to around 7am): The Trials [Mark 14.53-15.15]

TRIALS: JESUS & THE SANHEDRIN [MARK 14.53, 55-65]

Mark 14:53 “They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes assembled.”

A Manufactured Trial

Mark 14:55–56 “The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they could not find any. For many were giving false testimony against him, and the testimonies did not agree.”

[[Mark 14.57-60]]

A Misapplied Verdict

Mark 14:61 “But he kept silent and did not answer. Again the high priest questioned him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?””

Mark 14:62 ““I am,” said Jesus, “and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”” [Jesus truly was/is the Messiah…just not by their definition; Zech 13]

Mark 14:63–64 “Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “Why do we still need witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What is your decision?” They all condemned him as deserving death.”

[[Mark 14.65]]

JESUS…TRULY SON OF MAN, MESSIAH, SON OF GOD.

TRIALS: PETER & THE CROWD [MARK 14.54, 66-72]

Mark 14:54 “Peter followed him at a distance, right into the high priest’s courtyard. He was sitting with the servants, warming himself by the fire.”

[Likely let in based on John’s connections; NOTE: Peter did initially return to following Jesus…Just how messy is his life & testimony?…& mine?; in this instance, fear overcame love; this episode is recorded in all four Gospels]

First Accusation: Evasive Denial

Mark 14:66–67 “While Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the high priest’s maidservants came. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.””

Mark 14:68 “But he denied it: “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about.” Then he went out to the entryway, and a rooster crowed.” [He tried to ‘get away’ from the question/questioner]

Second Accusation: Unchanging Denial [ = “Nope. Nope. Nope.”]

Mark 14:69 “When the maidservant saw him again, she began to tell those standing nearby, “This man is one of them.””

Mark 14:70a “But again he denied it. …”

Third Accusation: Emphatic Denial [ = “@#!*#! …I DON’T KNOW the man, and if I do may God @$%*@!## ME!!]

Mark 14:70b “…After a little while those standing there said to Peter again, “You certainly are one of them, since you’re also a Galilean.””

Mark 14:71 “Then he started to curse and swear, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about!””

Mark 14:72 “Immediately a rooster crowed a second time, and Peter remembered when Jesus had spoken the word to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.”

PETER…RIGHTLY IDENTIFIED RESPONDED IN FEARFUL WEAKNESS RATHER THAN FAITHFULNESS.

[A reminder to Mark’s audience in the antagonistic Roman Empire that they could/would face similar challenges.]

TRIALS: JESUS & THE GOVERNOR [MARK 15.1-15]

Mark 15:1 “As soon as it was morning, having held a meeting with the elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin, the chief priests tied Jesus up, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate.”

[According to Mark (& others), the record of the first Roman official who interacted with Jesus found no offense in him]

Pilate’s Opening Question

Mark 15:2 “So Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He answered him, “You say so.””

Pilate’s Compounding Question

Mark 15:3–4 “And the chief priests accused him of many things. Pilate questioned him again, “Aren’t you going to answer? Look how many things they are accusing you of!””

Mark 15:5 “But Jesus still did not answer, and so Pilate was amazed.”

Pilate’s Pragmatic Proposition

Mark 15:6–8 “At the festival Pilate used to release for the people a prisoner whom they requested. There was one named Barabbas, who was in prison with rebels who had committed murder during the rebellion. The crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do for them as was his custom.”

Mark 15:9–10 “Pilate answered them, “Do you want me to release the king of the Jews for you?” For he knew it was because of envy that the chief priests had handed him over.”

Mark 15:11 “But the chief priests stirred up the crowd so that he would release Barabbas to them instead.”

Mark 15:12–13 “Pilate asked them again, “Then what do you want me to do with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Again they shouted, “Crucify him!””

Mark 15:14 “Pilate said to them, “Why? What has he done wrong?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him!””

JESUS…A RECIPIENT OF RELIGIOUS & POLITICAL INJUSTICE, ACCOMPLISHED GOD’S REVEALED PLAN.

[“For Our Salvation;” “For His Glory.”]

CONCL—

Mark 15:15 “Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them; and after having Jesus flogged, he handed him over to be crucified.”

We don’t have to wonder what the personal application of this aspect of the Easter account is…

Hebrews 12:1–3 “Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up.”

INVITATION:

Salvation

Keep My Eyes on Jesus

Mark 15:15 CSB

Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them; and after having Jesus flogged, he handed him over to be crucified.