Day 61: March 28

Matthew 26:57-75

SCRIPTURE HIGHLIGHTS
OBSERVATIONS
Contrast in this passage between how Jesus reacts to his arrest versus how Peter reacts to the arrest. Jesus is the spotlighted prisoner. Peter cowers in the shadows, waiting to see what will happen. Jesus doesn’t defend himself against the lies or physical abuse. Peter is so afraid of merely being associated with Jesus that he denies even knowing him. Three times, just like Jesus warned.

Caiaphas the high priest, the nation’s leaders, the teachers of the Law of Moses, and “the whole council” have an agenda. Their goal is to kill Jesus. They’ve already decided he’s guilty and deserves to die. They just need to put on a legal show to prove it. It’s so legit it’s held in the middle of the night.

A parade of fake witnesses tells lies to the kangaroo court Council but none of them has any actionable evidence. The only charge that comes close to what the authorities want is, “This man claimed he could tear down God’s temple and build it again in three days.” How do you work with that? It just sounds crazy.

Caiaphas desperately wants Jesus to defend himself. Make this trial look legitimate! But Jesus stays silent. Caiaphas seems to lose his temper at how badly the show is going, finally demanding that Jesus answer the charges under oath to God. “You must tell the truth! Are you the Messiah, the Son of God?"

Jesus gives an oblique answer: “That is what YOU say.” Then he drops the mic: “Soon you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right side of God All-Powerful and coming on the clouds of heaven.” He’s quoting Psalm 110 and Daniel 7. They know exactly what’s he’s saying about himself. It’s a recap of their very public humiliation in the Temple a few days previously when they couldn’t answer Jesus’ question about why David called his son “Lord.”

The payback is immediate. Caiaphas dramatically accuses Jesus of blasphemy. They take out their accumulated hatred and anger on Jesus in a vicious attack.

Meanwhile, Peter is so intimidated by a couple of nobody servant girls and random bystanders that he denies knowing Jesus. His trio of denials escalate from “I don’t know what you’re talking about!” to a string of cursing and swearing. The rooster crows.

APPLICATION
Evil triumphs. It’s no wonder humans have a deep, innate longing for life to be fair. We never stop wishing for things to be put right. We like to dream that truth and justice will prevail, that honest and good people will be rewarded, and the bad guys will finally get what they deserve. Our American culture loves stories about superheroes that save the day and rescue the world from destruction. At heart, we’re like kids yelling, “It’s not fair!” when the lawyers and billionaires and politicians exploit “the system” and get away with murder.

Jesus’ trial is just another story about how the powerful and the liars win. Position and influence are more important than truth. The “powers that be” in this account are fueled by self-righteousness, anger, and hatred. They reject Jesus, especially when he reveals his true identity as the Son of Man/Son of David. He is Lord and they’re not bowing. The influencers want him dead. Their ultimate purpose is to kill, steal, and destroy. And they succeed. An innocent man is railroaded. Jesus willingly submits to their torture all the way to death.

Peter’s three denials are a story of fear. Fear of being caught up by the lies and the powerful people who can crush us. Fear of loss. Fear of death. Peter’s fear is greater than his care and love for Jesus. He wasn’t tagging along merely out of curiosity. He was afraid of what was going to happen to Jesus, and even more afraid of being next in line. Then he lies. And lies. And lies. And it gets worse. He remembers what Jesus said about the three denials and the rooster crowing. He runs away in horrible regret and despair. We’re still talking about his failure 2,000 years later.

People really want messiahs, just not the One we’ve already been given. The Messiah we’ve been given invites us to join him in his unfair death and suffering:

• “Take up your cross and follow me!”
• “When someone arrests you, don't worry about what you will say or how you will say it.”
• “Don't be annoyed by anyone who does wrong, and don't envy them.”
• “Dear friends, don't be surprised or shocked that you are going through testing that is like walking through fire.”

Jesus calls us to submit to the unfairness, to let go of our fear, and trust our great and All-Powerful God who really will make everything right in the end. If we suffer and die with him, he will reward us by letting us share in his glory. Will we choose faith or fear?

PRAYER
Father, help me to let go of my fears and trust you. Give me the power of your Holy Spirit to do everything you’ve called me to do. Help me to not be surprised or angry when life is unfair, when innocent people suffer, and when evil men come out on top. Thank you that you are righteous and just. Thank you for your promise that all things will be put right when your glorious Kingdom is revealed.