John 18:13-28 | Sunday November 10, 2024

The events leading up to the death of Jesus reveal so much about human nature and the depth of what Jesus was willing to do. We saw last week the world came against Jesus in all its power and might but the great I AM was in control as He has been since eternity past. Peter started thinking like the world, and the very thing that would bring life he tries to stop from happening. Jesus stopped Peter and willingly goes with the soldiers. Jesus is calm and in control even in these moments of confusion and chaos, He was willing to drink the cup of God’s wrath.

Mark 14:46-52 ESV

(46)  And they laid hands on Him and seized Him.

(47)  But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.

(48)  And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture Me?

(49)  Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.”

(50)  And they all left Him and fled.

(51)  And a young man followed Him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him,

(52)  but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.

As Jesus lets the soldiers arrest Him the disciples flee. Even this was in God’s plan as He wanted to protect the disciples. Again chaos breaks out, and some of the 600 soldiers try to detain the disciples. We have this young man who in order to get free has to leave his clothes behind. We think this was Mark. Jesus wanted the disciples in the garden, and He wanted them to reach safety and that is exactly what happened.

John 18:12-14 ESV

(12)  So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him.

(13)  First they led Him to Annas, for He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.

(14)  It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.

Jesus did not need to be bound because He was trying to resist or get away. He was willingly laying His life down as the sacrifice. Just as Issac was bound by Abraham, and the sacrifice was bound to the altar:

Psalms 118:27 Legacy Standard Bible

(27) “Yahweh is God, and He has given us light; Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.”

The perfect sacrifice was being led bound. Caiaphas had more insight then He knew. One man would die for the people and He was going to be the perfect payment for sin. Verse 13 starts the first of the 6 trials that Jesus will go through. In each trial the justice of the legal system will be ignored. His first trial was before Annas. Annas was the High priest from AD 6-14. God instructed that the role of High priest was for life, and yet Rome had made it a political position and moved men in and out of it. At this time Caiaphas, Annas’ son-in-law was the high priest recognized by Rome. Yet Annas was the real power behind the scenes. After fleeing in the garden Peter and John turn back.

John 18:15-16 ESV

(15)  Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest,

(16)  but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in.

John has some connections that Peter did not. John is able to enter into the courtyard and watch this sham of a trial unfold. Peter was left behind at the door. He is physically exhausted, He has been up all night and morning is coming. He is terrified that Jesus was arrested. He is embarrassed and confused about what was wrong with using a sword. He is ashamed He ran in the garden. He was bold enough to come back but know does not know what to do. John sends a servant girl to go bring him into the courtyard.

John 18:17-18 ESV

(17)  The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.”

(18)  Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.

This servant girl who was sent by a friend asks Peter if He was one of Jesus disciples. She says it expecting a no in reply. Her question is non conformational, and Peter’s emotions take over. He denies Jesus. Jesus in the garden reminded everyone that He was the “I AM” and Peter denial states “I am not.” His weakness and sin show through. As Peter is outside denying Jesus, Jesus is inside standing up to Annas.

John 18:19-21 ESV

(19)  The high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching.

(20)  Jesus answered Him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret.

(21)  Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them; they know what I said.”

Annas wants to know about His disciples, how many are there? What threat do they pose? What has He been teaching? Is their a conspiracy or plot they don’t know about? Jesus tells Annas there is no hidden plot. He taught openly. He had been in the temple courtyard and declared He was the light to the world. The fact that Annas is questioning Jesus was illegal. The proper way was to interrogate the witness who was bringing a charge against the person. This helps explain Jesus’ answer. “Why do you ask Me?” This is illegal instead you should be talking to those who heard Me teach.

John 18:22-24 ESV

(22)  When He had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?”

(23)  Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?”

(24)  Annas then sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

It was illegal to hit a captive who was under trial. This officer thought Jesus had disrespected the High Priest. A similar situation happened to Paul in Acts 23.

Acts 23:1-5 ESV

(1)  And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.”

(2)  And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.

(3)  Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?”

(4)  Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God's high priest?”

(5)  And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

The high priest thought Paul had been disrespectful and order to have Him hit. Paul was human and had a sin nature and let it show right here. He speaks disrespectfully of the high priest. When it is pointed out He admits that He was wrong. It is so easy to forget these men in scripture have a sin nature just like ours. Paul reacts quick and has to repent. Jesus on the other hand has not misspoken. He has not sinned in His response to Annas. Even in these unjust trials, Jesus is without sin. He does not back down to Annas and stands on truth. John then reminds us of the scene happening outside. As Jesus is showing His holiness, through His responses, Peter is doing the exact opposite.

John 18:25 ESV

(25)  Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.”

Peter is outside, tired, afraid and cold. He is standing by a fire warming himself. Trying to make sense of what is happening. He is asked again if He is a disciple and again Peter denies it. The question is again asked expecting a no. The crowd is not that accusatory yet, but that is just about to change.

John 18:26 ESV

(26)  One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?”

Unlike the other two questions this one expects a yes answer. This last question escalates. It is a relative of Malchus who Peter tried to kill. This relative also had been in the garden, meaning He saw Peter’s attempt with the sword. Peter has to wonder if this man is carrying a grudge or is seeking vengeance.

John 18:27 ESV

(27)  Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.

Peter denies Jesus for a third time. This was the most conformational and dangerous of the accusations. This time Peter not only denied Christ but was emphatic about it.

Mark 14:71 ESV

(71)  But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.”

Peter not only denies Jesus but swears that He was not a disciple. He even invokes a curse on himself if He was lying. Just a few hours ago Peter could not imagine denying Christ even once.

Luke 22:31-34 ESV

(31)  “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,

(32)  but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

(33)  Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.”

(34)  Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

Peter was under a tremendous spiritual attack. We must see that satan had to ask for permission. Satan is anti-God and yet does not have the power to override Him. Peter had pride in his life. He could not imagine denying Jesus. He meant every word and yet within hours He is cursing that He does not know Jesus. We are so frail and weak. Sin is crouching at the door of our heart closer then we care to admit. This sifting was needed for Peter’s growth and maturity.

It is amazing to see that Jesus is praying for Peter even when he doesn’t know he needs it. Jesus wanted to build up Peter and let Him know that his denial did not end his story. Before Peter fell Jesus is already talking about His return! We must come to the end of ourselves and our strength. It is only there that we can see how great Jesus’ grace is. We need His power to work through us. If we think we are something, we are deceived. If we think there is a sin we are not capable of we are deceived.

1 Corinthians 10:11-13 ESV

(11)  Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.

(12)  Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

(13)  No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

The Israelites constant failure is meant to be an example to us. They would learn to trust and walk with God and then start relying on themselves again. This is who we are. If we think we stand we are near a fall. We will always be undone when we rely on ourselves and walk in pride Our temptations are not unique to us, they are common. God is promising to be faithful. Not giving into temptation is not found in human effort or bold declarations. Resisting temptation is found by walking in humility and relying on the grace Jesus offers. He knows who we are and how we are tempted. He loved Peter.

Luke 22:60-62 ESV

(60)  But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.

(61)  And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.”

(62)  And he went out and wept bitterly.

As Peter is invoking a curse during the final denial, Jesus is being moved from being questioned by Annas to Caiaphas and He makes eye contact with Peter. I want to encourage you to think about this moment. What does Jesus’ face look like to you? Your answer will give you tremendous insight into how you view Jesus in your life. Peter is undone, humiliated, and emptied. He has sinned in a way he thought was impossible. What was Jesus’ reaction? I will remind you, He was not surprise by this and had already prayed for Peter’s renewal.

Psalms 103:13-14 ESV

(13)  As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear Him. (14)  For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

He knows we are dust. He was the one who created us from it. We forget who we are, He does not. We tend to turn to so many things in trying to not act like dust. We rely on ourself, our rules, legalism, yet none of these work. The religious leaders serve as the example as how fruitless rules and legalism are to a walk with Jesus.

John 18:28 ESV

(28)  Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover.

As the religious leaders take Jesus from one unjust trial to another, they are worried about becoming ceremonially unclean. As they are trying to unjustly have someone murdered, their rules had to be followed. Rules and legalism have no value because they do not engage the heart.

Colossians 2:23 ESV

(23)  These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

When God says they have no value He means it. What Peter was walking through was messier, yet God was working on His heart. God was showing Peter the depths of grace. Peter could confess and walk fresh, and so can we. Peter was learning to rely on Jesus and not himself. The religious leaders seem pious and yet they are filthy sinners who don’t even see their heart issue. As believers we still have a wicked flesh that is at war against us.

Romans 7:15-18 ESV

(15)  For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.

(16)  Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good.

(17)  So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

(18)  For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.

Paul understood who He was. Nothing good dwelt in his flesh. This is why walking in the Spirit is so important.

Romans 7:24-25 ESV

(24)  Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

(25)  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.