Devotional Thoughts: The trial and the denial

Matthew 26:57-68 described the trial of Jesus before the religious leaders.

Then the people who had arrested Jesus led him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and other leaders had gathered.... Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death.

One wonders how large a group of people this was?

They are meeting at the home of the high priest. I'm sure he has a big house. In any case, this council was known as the Sanhedrin and they were the Supreme Court for the Jewish people and the traditional size of this group was believed to be 71.

But even though they found many who agreed to give false witness, there was no testimony they could use. Finally, two men were found who declared, "This man said, `I am able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days.' "

The trial was a show trial since the verdict was already determined and the leaders were merely seeking any kind of testimony to give the appearance of due process. This reminds me of totalitarian governments who hold elections where there is only one candidate running and after the election they say, look at all the turnout we have in our democracy! I suppose they do this as an exercise of power and to intimidate the people.

"Well, aren't you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?" But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, "I demand in the name of the living God that you tell us whether you are the Messiah, the Son of God." Jesus replied, "Yes, it is as you say. And in the future you will see me, the Son of Man, sitting at God's right hand in the place of power and coming back on the clouds of heaven."

Jesus' answer melds two images from Hebrew Scriptures found in Psalm 110:1 (sitting at the right hand) and Daniel 7:13 (coming back on clouds).

Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror, shouting, "Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?"

"Guilty!" they shouted. "He must die!"

Then they spit in Jesus' face and hit him with their fists. And some slapped him, saying, "Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?"

The first trial comes to a close.

While all this is going on. We go to the next set of verses, Matthew 26:69-75, were we find out Peter was watching the whole thing unfold.

There is no need to comment and add to the narrative. We all know what it feels like to fail.

Meanwhile, as Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, a servant girl came over and said to him, "You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean."

But Peter denied it in front of everyone. "I don't know what you are talking about," he said.

Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth."

Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. "I don't even know the man," he said.

A little later some other bystanders came over to him and said, "You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent."

Peter said, "I swear by God, I don't know the man." And immediately the rooster crowed.

Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed through Peter's mind: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." And he went away, crying bitterly.

Lord, forgive me when with my words and my actions I deny that you are my Lord. Thank you that we know from other Scriptures that Peter was restored and went on to great service for you. Thank you that you endured the trials and the sufferings and gave your life so that we might be forgiven and a path to restoration established. Help me to live life fully for you today. Amen.