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The Gospel of John, The Period of Consummation, Part IV, John 18:19-27 - Lesson 181
Read Verses John 18:17,18 for review: Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not. And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.
John 18:19, The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
This was an inquisition, not a trial.
The High Priest did not prefer charges against Jesus Christ and then call witnesses to prove the charges.
He was interested in asking questions in hopes of ensnaring him.
He had no interest in justice only interest in finding something to use against him.
The high priest first asks about the disciples.
What did he want to know?
Did he want to know how many there were?
Was he interested in casting them out of the temple?
What kind of a threat did they pose?
Was he afraid that they would come and take Jesus from them by force.
Little did the High Priest know that Peter was standing in his own courtyard warming his hands by the fire and would soon deny the very Lord that he had walked with for three and a half years.
Some worry! Worrying about the threat from disciples who were disorganized and demoralized.
But not worrying he faced the Son of God who could have called ten thousand angels to destroy them in one swoop of the hand.
How much we dwell on the unimportant and neglect the truly important.
The High Priest then asks of his doctrine.
He had no interest in his doctrine.
His only motive was to bring Jesus Christ to commit heresy and blasphemy.
John 18:20,21 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
Even though the High Priest asked of his disciples Jesus Christ does not answer concerning his disciples.
He is the shepherd and he alone assumes all responsibility.
He speaks only of his doctrine.
He compares the openness of his preaching and his ministry to the covert and hidden activity now taking place.
In saying that He spake openly to the world he was rebuking Annas for his injustice of refusing him a trial in open court.
He was no rebel apart from the synagogue and the law of God.
I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
The High Priest had no proof that Jesus had a secret underlying motive in his ministry.
His message was proclaimed to all and he has no secret doctrines which would cause him to be properly charged with insurrection.
The message of Christ is open.
It is a: Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel, message.
Paul reminded King Agrippa of this when in Acts 26:26, he said:
For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.
The message of Christ is a message that brings things to light.
On the contrary the message of the High Priest is to keep covered the hidden things of darkness.
Paul in 1 Cor. 4:5 speaks of this:
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
Christ came to bring to light the hidden things of darkness.
And as he pulled the blanket of darkness off, the Jews just as determined pulled it back to cover their evil.
Crucify the one who bring to light the reality of the human heart.
Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
Where are mine accusers?
Why do you pretend to be ignorant of what is common knowledge among the people!
You have had many opportunities to hear me yourself!
You have expelled from the synagogue those who believe in me!
You have taken me by night so as to exclude the truth.
Where are those who have heard me?
Where are those who have been healed, by my word?
Where are those who have been delivered, by my word?
John 18:22, And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
This was the beginning of blows to the body of Jesus Christ and it was from an officer of the High Priest.
Jesus Christ was bound and defenseless and the High Priest did nothing to stop this but allowed his prisoner to be struck.
This conduct by an officer of the High Priest clearly shows what manner of man he was.
This was not a legal trial, but a mob trial.
Had Jesus told anything but the truth, to receive this treatment?
Was his answer a violation of the priestly dignity?
Was the priestly dignity placed on a higher plane than justice?
Typical of hypocrites to attach such great importance to outward formalities.
Do they not cover up the stench from the heart?
Whited sepulchers they truly were.
John 18:23, Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
Jesus does not apologize for any violation of priestly dignity because there was no violation.
But he protests against the assault.
He does not return the assault with his power or with words.
But he addresses the issues.
Stick to the issues!
If I have spoken evil point out the evil.
If I am accused of being in contempt of court lodge that against me.
What is the smiting for?
What am I charged with?
Jesus Christ is Truth pressing for truth.
He is light shinning in the darkness whatever situation he is in.
Contrast this event to the time when Paul in Acts 23 answered the High Priest with, "God shall smite thee thou whited wall." after being smitten on his cheek.
Paul reacted in the flesh and apologized for speaking evil of the ruler of the people.
But Jesus Christ never had to retract a single word.
In every provocation, including physical abuse, the Lord was meek and lowly of heart.
John 18:24, Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
This assault ends the interrogation of Jesus at the house of Annas.
Annas could not answer the piercing question of Jesus and saw no profit to be gained by continuing this interogation .
So he sends Jesus to Caiaphas the high priest.
John does not describe the trial before Caiaphas but diverts his account to Peter who was still in the courtyard in the company of hostile people.
Peter has an appointment with a rooster and it was John's responsibility to record this happening so that we would know how Jesus prophesy concerning Peter's denial would come about.
John 18:25, And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.
Peter continues to warm himself by the fires of the enemies of Jesus Christ.
He had already denied the Lord once but he continues to put himself in a place where his second denial is inevitable.
You will not gain backbone to stand for the Lord if you stand with his enemies.
And his enemies are those who are not standing with him.
Did he not say that he that is not with me is against me?
Peter allows the warming fires to light up his face which allowed those at the fire to recognize him as being one of the disciples of Christ.
The things and comforts of the world always challenge the believer's loyalty to the Saviour.
The flames vied for Peter's attention and he was more concerned about his body than his soul.
Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.
If you want to be challenged by the enemies of the Lord be in their company.
If you pray to the Lord not to be led into temptation then pay attention to the admonition: Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers!
That is how God keeps you from temptation. Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers!
Peter flee the warming fire because the third denial is on your doorstep!
John 18:26,27, One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.
Pride exhibited in a believer always has an appointment with a fall.
Jesus said in Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased....Peter was there to hear this truth!
Peter in Mark 14:29,and 31 promised Jesus: ..... Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.....If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.
In the courtyard of the High Priest Peter kept his appointment for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.
When pride is sown, abasing is reaped.
For our own good, God has so ordained this to be.
Did not I see thee in the garden with him? the kinsman of Malcus said.
Aren't you supposed to be with him?
Why are you with us?
You see how your testimony follows you so that those who know you will easily see any deviation from your testimony?
There are places that Christians ought not to be.
The earth is disquieted when a Christian is out of his or her place.
Peter was out of place and this question ought to have opened his eyes to where he was and with whom he was.
But it did not.
He boasted about his faithfulness alone and God left him alone to fall.
The rooster was in the wings awaiting his cue.
Peter did not let the rooster down as he denied the Lord the third time and immediately the cock delivered right on cue.
A man named Mr. M. Dods wrote: "Peter probably thought he might be brought bound with his Master before the high priest, and had he done so he probably have stood faithful. But the devil who was sifting him had a much finer sieve than that to run him though. He brought him to no formal trial, where he could gird himself for a special effort. The whole trial was over before he knew he was being tried. So do most of our real trials come; in a business transaction that turns up with others in a day's work, in the few minutes' talk or the evenings intercourse with friends, it is discovered whether we are so truly Christ's friends that we cannot forget Him or disguise the fact that we are His. In these battles which we must all encounter, we receive no formal challenge that gives us time to choose our ground and our weapons; but a sudden blow is dealt us, from which we can be saved only by habitually wearing a coat of mail sufficient to turn it, and which we can carry into all companies." |