The Trial

Introduction

The Messianic Secret, 1-8

Mk 1:34 In Capernaum: “And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.”

The Leper, Mk 1:44 “and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.””

Unclean spirits, Mk 3:12 “And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.”

The raising of Jairus’ daughter Mk 5:43 “And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.”

Healing the deaf man, Mk 7:36 “And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it.”

Turning Point: Peter’s confession in ch 8

Begins to speak to the disciples about his suffering

Mk 8:31 “And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.”

Drawing out the Enemy, 9-14

Who is really in charge?

We know - the transfiguration in ch 9

But the disciples didn’t get it

And his enemies thought they knew, but didn’t

Blind Bartimaeus - a change of policy

Mk 10:52 “And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.”

Triumphal Entry, ch 11

Cleansing the temple, ch 11

Parable of the Tenants, ch 12

Anointing at Bethany, ch 14 - speaks of his body being prepared for burial - probably crystallised Judas’s mind - hadn’t signed up for suffering and death

Leads to betrayal and arrest

All actions that drew out his opponents, including 5th columnist Judas

The Trial

The burden of proof

The standard of proof

Submissions of no case to answer

Witnesses

Acceptable variation

Unacceptable variation

This trial

‘Rent a Witness’

Lawyer’s advice: say nothing! Submission of no case

Judge turns Prosecutor

Pause for Daniel!

Daniel 7

Vision of 4 great beasts

Represent 4 great empires

All bestial

4th so bad it doesn’t resemble any animal

Babylonian - Medo-Persian - Greek (4 heads - divided into 4 when Philip the Great died) - Roman (and possibly all that followed)

Then - throneroom of heaven and a trial scene (again!)

The books are opened

11: these bestial empires meet their end

Then… Dan 7:13-14 ““I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”

Well understood by Jews - this is the Messiah being given universal dominion and an everlasting kingdom

Back to the Trial

Mk 14:61 “But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?””

Mk 14:62 “And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.””

What he was saying

Either true - or the highest blasphemy

Perils of ‘the mind made up’

Conclusions

Jesus was in control - and still is

In Daniel 7, the 4 empires rose - but they did so when ‘the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea’

They rise - and fall - at his bidding

At his trial and crucifixion, they did his bidding

What from one perspective was his crucifixion was from God’s perspective his coronation

The gospel - no polite middle ground - ‘nice guy’ fellow student

Either condemn him, ‘receive him with blows’

Or bow the knee and own him as Lord