The trial and death of Christ

Lesson 3: The arrest and trial of Jesus Christ Matthew 26 ,36-56

1. After the last supper, Jesus and his disciples came to the garden of Gethsemane. 2 Jesus took peter, James and John and went to a separate place to pray . 3 Jesus said his soul was sorrowful into death. 4. He told them to remain and watch, while he went further and prayed to God that if it were possible, he should let the cup pass from him; but he would drink it if the father wished it to be so. 5. Jesus came back to find the three sleeping, and advised them to watch and pray to avoid temptation. 6. The spirit was willing but the flesh was weak. 7. Jesus went and prayed for the second time, and prayed the same prayer. 8. He returned to find the three disciples still sleeping, but did not disturb them. 9. Jesus prayed for the third time, repeating the same words. 10. He came back to find the three disciples still sleeping, and complained about it. 11. He said they should leave the place because his betrayer was near. 12. As he was talking, Judas came with an armed mob to arrest Jesus, and said they should arrest the one he kissed. 13. Judas kissed Jesus, and the crowd arrested him. 14. One of the disciples cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest, but Jesus protested against the violence saying that those who took to violence, died by violence. 15. He said he could have appealed to his father to send angels to defend him, but if he did, he would be preventing the scriptures from being fulfilled. 16. Jesus told the crowd that his arrest was to fulfill the scriptures concerning him. 17. The disciples ran away, and the crowd took Jesus to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the Sanhedrin had gathered in his house.
   SIGNIFICANCE:a. The “cup” mentioned by Jesus was a reference to his suffering and death on the cross. B. Jesus was tempted to turn his back on the cross, but with the help of the in dwelling Holy spirit, Jesus defeated the temptation by submitting to the will of God. The lesson is that we should all call on Jesus to allow the holy Spirit help us overcome temptation and submit to the will of God. C. Jesus’s betrayal by one of his disciples was bad and should be condemned by all.
   Lesson 4: CHRIST BEFORE THE HIGH PRIEST Matt 26:57-68, mk 14:53-75, Lk 22:66-71.
2. The Sanhedrin sought false testimony against Jesus to kill him in the high priest’s house . 2. They put up many false witnesses , but they could not find fault with Jesus. 3. Two false witnesses claimed that Jesus said he would destroy the temple and build another in three days . 4. The high priest asked Jesus to respond to the charges , but he remained silent. 5. The high priest asked if he was the Christ, the son of God. 6. Jesus replied that he had said so. 7. For they would see the son of man seated at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds from heaven. 8. On hearing this, the high priest tore his garments, meaning that Jesus had committed blasphemy. 9. With this blasphemy, they did not need any witnesses again. 10. The high priest asked of the judgement of the Sanhedrin, they said Jesus deserved to die. 11. They spat on Jesus’s face and struck him; some slapped him and asked him to prophesy who struck him. 12. Peter was accused on three occasions of being with Jesus but he denied them all. 13. At the third denial, the cock crowed and Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” 14. And Peter went out and wept bitterly. 15. According to Luke i. There was a morning trial, not a night trial. ii. When asked whether he was the son of God, Jesus replied”you say that I am” . 16. According to Mark: i. Jesus’s reply to the high priest’s question, was “I am” . ii. Jesus said before the cock crowed twice, Peter would have denied him three times.
   SIGNIFICANCE:a. The trial before the chief priest was a miscarriage of Justice as false witnesses were brought to file charges against Jesus. B. This warns us against the dangers of false accusation which is not only against the commandments of God, but can and does destroy the character and reputation of a person.
   LESSON 5: Christ before the Pilate and the Roman Authorities Matt 27:11-31.
3. Jesus was found guilty of blasphemy by the Sanhedrin for claiming to be the son of God. 2. In the morning, the Sanhedrin plotted his death, and brought him before Pilate, the Roman governor. 3. Pilate asked Jesus whether he was the king of the Jews, and Jesus answered that Pilate had made that claim. 4. The Sanhedrin made many accusations against Jesus, but he refused to answer them. 5. Pilate drew Jesus attention to the many accusations, but still Jesus to comment, and Pilate wondered greatly. 6. It was the custom of the governors to release a prisoner to mark the Passover festival, and Pilate asked whether he should release Barabbas, a notorious robber, or Jesus. 7. Pilate made this offer because he knew it out of jealousy that the Jews had brought Jesus, and also because his wife sent message that he should not have a hand in the death of Jesus since she has suffered much on his account in her dream. 8. The Sanhedrin persuaded the people to ask for the release of Barabbas, and the crucifixion of Jesus. 9. When Pilate saw that the crowd was becoming rowdy, he washed his hands before them, saying that the crowd was becoming rowdy, he washed his hands before them, saying that he was innocent of the blood of Jesus. 10. Pilate said they should see crucifixion and they shouted “let his blood be on us and our children.” Pilate then released Jesus, and handed him over to be crucified. 11. The soldiers took Jesus to the praetorium, took off his clothes and put a scarlet robe on him. 12. They plaited a crown of thorns and put it on his head. 13. They put a reed in his hand and knelt before him and mockingly hailed him as king of the Jews. 14. They spat on him, struck him with the reed, mocked him again and then led him away to be crucified. 15. According to luke, three charges were made against Jesus: i. Perverting their nation. ii. Forbidding to pay tribute to Caeser iii. Calling himself christ, a king. 16. Pilate examined Jesus only on the last charge.
   SIGNIFICANCE;
   a. The whole trial was a miscarriage of Justice as Jesus was innocent, yet Pilate handed him over to be crucified because he was afraid of the Jews. B. Pilate lacked courage and this led to the crucifixion of Jesus.
   Lessons: Christians must ensure that Justice is done at all times , without fear or favour, even if it is at the risk of their lives.
   LESSON 6: Christ Before the King Herod Luke 23:6-12.
4. According to Luke, while Pilate was trying Jesus, he discovered he was from Galilee. 2. The ruler of Galilee, Herod Antipas was in Jerusalem at that time and so Pilate sent Jesus to be tried by him. 3. Herod was happy to see Jesus whom he had heard at a lot about and hoped to see Jesus perform a miracle. 4. He questioned Jesus at length, but Jesus refused to answer any of them. 5. The chief priest and scribes made many accusations against Jesus and sent him back to Pilate. 6. Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt and mocked him. 7. They put a gorgeous robe on Jesus and sent him back to Pilate. 8. Herod and Pilate became friends again.
   SIGNIFICANCE: Pilate sent Jesus to Herod in order to ascertain the truth in the charges made against Jesus. This showed the length to which Pilate went to find out the truth.
   LESSONS: a. Our judges should also go to the full extent and find out the truth about cases brought before them. B. Our judges should stand firm and uphold the truth of their judgements. C. Our judges should not take bribes to hide the truth and convict innocent people.