Matthew Chapter 26 Verses 57 – 58

•According to John Chapter 18, before being taken to Caiaphas, He is taken to the home of Annas (Caiaphas’ father-in-law) and Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas. Also according to John Chapter 18, we know it’s not only Peter following to see what’s going to happen, John is following as well and that’s actually how they got into the courtyard of the high priest…and there’s something intriguing going on…turn over to John Chapter 18 and read verses 15 – 17…

•I’m not sure why I never saw this before but I’m seeing that they knew John…and this servant girl who kept the door may have known that John was a follower of Jesus because she says to Peter, “You are not ALSO one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” What’s my point? Peter was overcome with fear. Taken by surprise. Unprepared and perhaps not even really hearing the question…you ever answer a question before the person is finished asking it? Just interrupt and get your answer out or your next statement in? Peter reacts and it could be that John was standing right there and that servant girl knew who he was and Whom he followed…

•So what’s up with Peter? Hold that thought and we will come back to it at the end of this chapter…

Matthew Chapter 26 Verses 59 – 62

•Why would they be seeking “false testimony” against Jesus? Here’s the thing, Jesus was nothing but good and nothing but a thorn in the side for them because He was greatly beloved by the people. What should we accuse Him of? Feeding the hungry, raising the dead, healing the sick? What would the people say? They needed more…

•And this is entirely backwards! This process, this approach, this trial…He’s already been condemned to death, He’s already been pronounced guilty…and now they’re looking for a reason why!? Do you see how backwards that is!? And finally the high priest has heard enough with this last false testimony…, “This Man said He would destroy the temple…blow it up…and rebuild it in three days…” By the way, that’s not what He said, He said that He would destroy THIS temple not THE temple…and the high priest is astonished that Jesus has answered nothing…

Matthew Chapter 26 Verses 62 – 63

•I just love that! Jesus I put you under oath of Jesus! HA! But what he asks here is ultra-dishonest. It is a question meant to trap, a question that he doesn’t really want Jesus to answer but rather He wants to use the answer against Jesus…I disdain dishonest questions…

Matthew Chapter 26 Verse 64

•Today, this scene, Jesus stands in the place of the judged but here’s the thing, once He is judged by them, by you, by me, by each and every human being created…once we have judged Him worthy or worthless, the tables turn. Just like He says to them here in this scene, they sit in judgment of Him now but He will one day sit in judgment of them.

•And He says, I sit at the right hand of the Power. I like that. Because that cannot be more clear. The Greek work…means power. He alone has the power over life, the power over death, the power to unlock heaven to men…He alone has the power to pay for sin, to forgive sin, to make an escape from hell…and in that power He will judge both the living and the dead…and what will He judge us for? How we judged Him…worthy, or worthless…

Mathew Chapter 26 Verses 65 – 67

•Nothing about this trial was legitimate…and I want to give you some facts on that but understand this…nothing about the enemy of Christ, the enemy of the souls of men for that matter, is legitimate. Satan has no power over us except that which he usurps from us! We battle with the flesh, we fight with the world and we struggle against the spiritual principalities of darkness, but consider and don’t forget, if you are born again, born of the Spirit, then you’ve already won…don’t give away the victory for that moment…this entire trial – unlawful and illegitimate! (And yet while Jesus is in it, He is no part of the corruption…He remains perfect!)

•Why does it matter? That the trial was unlawful…? Well for one, it’s intriguing…I mean an unlawful trial is an oxymoron…two, it proves that the only way to condemn Jesus was to do it dishonestly, and three, it’s exactly the same today. Any trial that Jesus is put on in our minds or hearts where we BEGIN as they did…that he is unworthy, not good and has to go…is DISHONEST. Look honestly into this Man…into this matter. Put a little work in…dig a bit…and its clear, anytime Jesus is rejected, something dishonest is happening…

•But check this out…according to Jewish law, criminal cases could not be tried during the Passover. According to Jewish law, only an acquittal could be issued on the day of the trial. Guilty verdicts had to wait a day for any possibility of mercy to arise. All witnesses had to be examined separately and could not have any contact with each other. False witnesses were punishable by death but nothing was done to these many false witnesses! According to the law all evidence for innocence must be heard before any accusations of guilt. Also, trials could not be held when the courts were not in session…and, a man could not testify against himself…all of these laws were blatantly broken and what blows my mind is that they all knew it but here’s the thing…to the religious, the rules can bend or break or redefine according to their own convenience!

•What’s even more amazing is that Jesus would have to only speak the word, “dust’ and they’d be gone…and yet here He stands…allowing this, silent, in complete control…and even, THIS IS CRAZY, revealing Himself plainly to them. Why? Have you ever done anything and thought, “Well that’s it, God is definitely done with me now…man, I’ve blown it…?” Man listen, sin is strong but grace is stronger! Failure is heavy but Jesus can lift that weight!!! This scene proves it!

Matthew Chapter 26 Verses 69 – 75

•You know, this account is one of the few accounts that is included in each of the four gospels. I wonder if Peter thought, “Thanks a lot guys…!” HA! But this is such an important truth…what underlies this scene…

•First, Peter is found following Jesus but at a distance and he ends up surrounded by servants…not servants of God…and these two conditions greatly contribute to the scene. The same will be for you…And something else here…was this servant girl going to kill Peter if he said, “yes?” Not likely. Perhaps she and the others around really wanted to know what was going on…

•Six hundred soldiers…what’s the deal? The neighbors are all turning their lights off and peering through their blinds as they march by…all these leaders at the High Priest’s house…on the night of the Passover! All this commotion…this Man Jesus…what’s going on Peter? But Peter was warming himself…treating himself…missed perhaps the greatest opportunity thus far…one that each gospel would have caught…

•But on we go…Peter denies the Lord…just like Judas did…and Luke tells us in Luke 22:61 that at the third denial, the rooster crows…and Jesus and Peter somehow locked eyes…and Peter remembered the Word of God…and he went out and wept bitterly. Here’s the thing…why this scene is so very important for us, for me, for you…Peter denied Jesus, he certainly failed but in no way is he a failure…I can hear the love in Jesus’ eyes…

•What separates Peter from Judas…Judas failed and fell…Peter failed and went out…left that setting that contributed to it all…and wept bitterly. He hurt for his failure, to the point of action. Many are sorry, many say they are different or changed but time reveals their pain was for their own loss of comfort, not for what their life does to others…So many today blame others…that will lead nowhere…but Peter would go on to lead the establishment of the church in just a few short weeks…

•And that rooster…what signifies a new day? The crow of the rooster…a new day for man was birthed with Jesus going to the cross…and even though you and I have failed the Lord so many times, lock eyes with Him again, remember His Word…look into this matter honestly if you are seeking, hear His love for you if you are feeling condemned…don’t give power over your life away…the battle is already won!