THE PASSION OF CHRIST 2
THE TRIAL AND PETER’S DENIAL
(Matthew 26: 57-68; 69-75)
Introduction: after the betrayal and arrest of Jesus Christ, he was taken to Caiaphas the high priest where he was trialed falsely, spat upon and slapped. Jesus was again betrayed by Peter who denied him three times out of fear of being killed but Christ withstand all this knowing he was fulfilling his mission on earth.
THE TRIAL OF JESUS (Matthew 26: 57-68)
After Jesus was arrested, he was taken to the house of Caiaphas the high priest where member of the Jewish council (the Sanhedrin) had gathered for his trial. Peter followed and sat with the servants to see what would become of Jesus Christ. The chief priest and elders looked for false witness against Jesus to put him to death. Though many false witnesses came, yet they found nothing which Jesus Christ was guilty of.
Finally, two false witnesses came forward to say Jesus said he could destroy the temple of God and build it back in three days. This made the high priest to rise up and ask him if what the witnesses said was true. But Jesus held his peace and the high priest said “I adjure you by the living God tell us whether thou be the son of God”. Jesus replied “thou has said: but I say unto you, you shall see the son of man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven”. The high priest was angry to what Jesus had said and then he tore his clothes saying to others you have heard with your ears his words of blasphemy what should we do to him and they answered he is guilty of death. Then they spat on him, buffeted him and others slapped him with the palms of their hands saying; prophesy unto us thou Christ who is he that smote you?
PETER DENIES CHRIST (Matthew 26: 69-75)
While Peter sat in the palace amongst the servants where he was watching Jesus being trailed by the high priest, a damsel (maid) came to him saying “thou also was with Jesus of Galilee”. Peter denied before them all saying; I don’t know what you are saying. He left there immediately and went to the porch where another maid saw him and said this fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth and again Peter denied this time with an oath. After a while some people gathered around him saying surely you are one of his disciples because you speak like him. Then Peter begins to curse and swear saying I don’t know this man called Jesus. Immediately the cock crowed and Peter remembered the word of Jesus “Before the cock crows thou shall deny me three times; Peter went out from the palace and wept bitterly.
EVALUATION:
- Narrate the story of Jesus trial and Peter’s denial.
- Mention any point of significance in the story of the trial of Jesus.