This week I welcome guest blogger, Emerald Scaffe. Emerald is married and together with her husband, has three children. She also serves on the teaching team at Faith Church.
In spite of his life, Jesus was betrayed. As we continue studying John 18, we enter into a series of three trials, starting with verse 12, “Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people.”
Notice that both Annas and Caiaphas are referred to as the “high priest”. Annas was the high priest for 9 years, before he was deposed by Pilate’s predecessor. He maintained a lot of influence with the Jews as “the true high priest” given that five of his sons, as well as his son-in-law Caiaphas, all held office at some point. He was viewed as the patriarch of the priestly family, thus it made sense that Jesus was taken to Annas first.
Let’s read on in verse 15, “Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in. ‘You are not one of his disciples are you?’ the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.” It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.”
Let me bring attention to the fire mentioned here. It is another indication that this trial was happening at night. Commentator D.A. Carson rights, “Night proceedings in normal cases were doubtless viewed as illegal. Where the case was exceptional and the pressure of time extraordinary, doubtless legal loopholes could be found.” So the Jewish officials chose to move forward with this arrest, they weren’t supposed to have trials at night. The situation was birthed in secrecy. I find that is the way that sin leads man to move: with haste and desperation, regardless of what is right.
So we see several times that God is faithful to show his love. First, to his son Jesus, by helping him avoid temptation. Then, he shows love to the soldiers when they fall at the admission of Jesus’s identity, they are presented with an opportunity to repent and walk away. But they ignore the signs of God’s mercy. Next, the authorities knew that it was good and right to have a trial in open daylight. God provided an opportunity for them to pause, but they were filled with the momentum of a scheme in progress. It was working, it no longer mattered if it was right.
We also get a glimpse into the tragedy of the moment. Jesus has done everything he should do to protect his disciples, and yet Peter, one of Christ’s dearest friends, begins his descent into self-preservation through denial. Peter is trying to save his skin, and the leaders are hungry for power, all at the expense of Jesus Christ, the one who loves them all more than they love themselves.
Photo by Mads Schmidt Rasmussen on Unsplash
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