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Home , Mark 14

A Trial Like No Other • John MacArthur calls this the Mark 14:53-65 “ultimate miscarriage of ” (Don’t read now) • Tim Keller says in (vs.62) “He Intro: reminds those judging Him they A) Last week we talked about “the would one day be judged by Him!” Judas kiss” 3) This trial in actuality shows more of 1) We took note of the five players in Israel being on trial than on the story trial 2) We pondered the question, “how • Israel is in the presence of their could someone spend 3 years with Jesus and betray Him?” • Their King, their and their 3) We ended showing Jesus’ ultimate Judge compassion toward those who would • Yet they are too blind to see who do Him harm Jesus is B) He has now been captured and led to where the high priest, chief priest C) So many factors of this story remind and elders were convening us that Israel will answer to God 1) It has been a night of highs and lows 1) I have broken the text down into for our Master three statements …… • The “high” of observing • The complications of the trial with the disciples in the Upper • The conflicts in the trial Room • The conclusion of the trial • The “low” of Judas abandoning the Savior to go and betray Him to His enemies • The “high” of the crowds following His ministry as He walks with His disciples through • The “low” of His in • The victory through prayer as He faces His capture to complete the will of the Father 2) Now our Lord faces His captures I. The Complications of the Trial Mark 14:53-59 “And they led Jesus The official meeting would be at “the away to the high priest: and with him Hall of the Hewn Stone within the were assembled all the chief priests and temple precincts the elders and the scribes. And Peter Point after point the broke followed him afar off, even into the their own rules to convict Jesus palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the A) There were complications of when it fire. And the chief priests and all the was held council sought for witness against Jesus 1) The own laws regulated their to put him to death; and found none. For own court system many bare false witness against him, • It prohibited them from having a but their witness agreed not trial at night or on a feast day together. And there arose certain, and 2) To do so would prevent the accused bare false witness against him, saying, form being able to mount a proper We heard him say, I will destroy this defense temple that is made with hands, and • This trial violated both of those within three days I will build another rules because of Passover and made without hands. But neither so did because of night their witness agree together.” B) There were complications of where it Facts to understand was held The Sanhedrin had full power over 1) It did not take place on the temple religious matters grounds at the Hall of Hewn Stones But only Rome could put someone to • No, it was held at the house of the death high priest So, this trial was more of building a 2) Why the rush to judgment? case for Rome to execute Him • Nothing about this trial was The Sanhedrin was the “supreme “normal” court” of the Jews comprised of 71 members (the priestly class), and Scribes, Elders, and C) There were complications of the way experts in the law all comprised it it was held 1) A guilty verdict could only be handed down on the day of the trial 2) The Sanhedrin could not bring • Lied against the one who had charges done nothing but good all his days • They were comprised to 3) Ultimately, they have a story “half investigate the charges straight” of Jesus destroying the 3) The charges against Jesus changed temples “Holy of Holies” during the trial • But they couldn’t even tell that 4) The Sanhedrin pronounced the death aspect with unity ….. sentence • Sadly, the does not record • Which was not within their power anyone coming forward to His to do defense • So many could …. D) There were complications of WHY it • But it was so known this was a was held farce and possible death would 1) The trial was not about seeking the come upon any supporters truth of guilt or innocence …. II. The Conflicts Within the Trial • They wanted guilty before the trial • Mark 14:60-62 “And the high priest ever started stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou E) There were complications with the nothing? what is it which these witnesses they called …. witness against thee? But he held 1) They “sought” witnesses to testify his peace, and answered nothing. against Jesus Again the high priest asked him, • “Sought” means to hunt, seek or and said unto him, Art thou the crave Christ, the Son of the Blessed? • Desperate for people to accuse And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall Jesus see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of .” 2) (vs. 56) declares “they bare false A) had conflicts with his own witnesses to testify against Him” witnesses • They found people willing to lie 1) You know the trumped-up charges against Him, perhaps even paying and testimonies when the damaging for the lie witnesses couldn’t get their stories straight • William Barclay said, “If they had • :63 … He says, “I called in the many he had healed adjure thee by the living God” it would have been overwhelming 3) The high priest is now taking matters • But to bring in people to lie didn’t into his own hands turn out smoothly • He asked what the law forbade 2) Caiaphas was obviously frustrated! (asking the accused to incriminate Himself) B) Caiaphas had conflicts with Jesus’ • He was the aggressor silence • He was leading the accused 1) Jesus remains silent • He asked Jesus if He was the • He refuses to dignify the lies of His Messiah enemies with a response 2) Jesus was also fulfilling D) Caiaphas had conflicts when Jesus • :7 “He was oppressed, finally did speak and he was afflicted, yet he 1) Jesus answered with courage opened not his mouth: he is • (vs. 62) “I am” brought as a lamb to the 2) Jesus answered with confidence slaughter, and as a sheep before • (vs. 62) ….. and ye shall see the her shearers is dumb, so he Son of man sitting on the right openeth not his mouth.” hand of power, and coming in the clouds of Heaven! 3) His answer was …. • Judge me now! • You will be judged by me soon!

C) Caiaphas had conflicts with his own solutions III. The Conclusion of the Trail 1) When Jesus refuses to speak …. A) Notice their drama …. • He changes his tactics Mark 14:63-64a “Then the high priest 2) He places Jesus under oath before rent his clothes, and saith, What need God! we any further witnesses? Ye have heard the : what think ye?” 1) In Caiaphas’ mind – after he heard once, when he offered up himself. this…. there was no more need of For the law maketh men high priests more witnesses which have infirmity; but the word of • He is theatrical and dramatic with the oath, which was since the law, His actions maketh the Son, who is consecrated • He was further emphasizing for evermore.” blasphemy! 2) When Caiaphas ripped His clothes, B) Notice their decision … he was disqualified from his very 1) GUILTY!!! office as high priest • They declared Jesus guilty and • Leviticus 21:10 “And he that is the His offence of blasphemy was high priest among his brethren, worthy of death upon whose head the oil 2) Please keep in mind – they must was poured, and that is convince Rome of this… consecrated to put on the • They truly didn’t have the power to garments, shall not uncover his execute!! head, nor rend his clothes.” • He disqualified and is judging the C) Notice their damnation only one qualified as a true high 1) Jesus is now condemned! priest • The true nature of these men • He would soon make the only come out …. atonement of , the 2) These educated, refined religious world would ever need!!!! leaders …. • Turn of Jesus like a rabid dog

Conclusion: 3) Hebrews 7:26-28 “For such an high A) The parallels of that day in ours are priest became us, who is holy, uncanny harmless, undefiled, separate from 1) People come up with everything sinners, and made higher than the under the sun to castigate ; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up • You hear story after story of sacrifice, first for his own , and something happening in church then for the people's: for this he did • People never darkening the doors!

B) Lessons learned … 1) People seemingly educated making judgment on Jesus today …. • Will one day realize He is judging them! 2) Jesus answering not His critics and lies ….. • If you correct every lie and criticism given to you – you will go crazy! 3) Jesus reminded them …. • Judge me now! • But soon and very soon I will be judging you! • So true for us today as well!!

C) How are you today as the pressure is on? 1) Close to Jesus? 2) Are you ready for this same Jesus to judge you?

Sources: 1) The of Mark, William Barclay 2) Exposition Commentary: Warren Weirsbe 3) The Sermon Notebook: , Alan Carr