The Trial During the Trial

About this sermon

Introduction: All four gospel accounts record Peter’s great failure — his denial of the Lord Jesus. Each gospel writer, led by the Spirit of God, thought that what happened to Peter, in the courtyard of the high priest Caiaphas, was a vital part of the presentation of Jesus of Nazareth as the only Savior given for men. But what makes that interesting is that Peter wasn’t alone in forsaking the Lord Jesus that night. When the Shepherd was struck down and all the sheep scattered, just as Jesus said the Scriptures taught. Mar 14:27 And Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away, because it is written, I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. Why is one man’s falling away so focused on? They all fled, but Peter’s case is singled out. Why is that? I think the answer represents a twofold focus. Peter’s failure, in a special way, allows us to see the person of Christ. And, Peter’s failure, in a special way, allows us to see ourselves. Peter’s case is singled out because of what it says about Christ. Christ told Peter, before the denial ever took place, not only that it would take place, but that it would take place before the rooster crowed twice. As we will see, the words of Jesus were perfectly fulfilled. But not only were they perfectly fulfilled; we will see that Christ Himself drove home the point that they were perfectly fulfilled. That supernatural knowledge testifies to the true identity of Jesus of Nazareth. But Peter’s denial also speaks to us about us. In Peter we see all of us, and we are reminded, not only of what we are all capable of in terms of failing our Lord, we are reminded of how those failures take place. Peter’s case not only convicts us. If we’ll take it to heart, it can safeguard us. And when you put the two together — when we look at Christ and look at Peter side by side, we are reminded of Jesus as Savior. Yes, He is the promised Messiah. Yes, He is God in human flesh. But why did God the Son make His entrance into this world? What kind of Messiah is this? Peter’s case illustrates, so clearly, that salvation is entirely a matter of grace, and that that grace is extended in love. We are pitiful, and Christ has had pity for us. THE DETAILS OF PETER’S GREAT FAILURE (vs.66-72) Jesus has been taken from the garden of Gethsemane to the high priest who was the influencer behind the high priest; a crooked man by the name of Annas. After being questioned by Annas, Christ was then taken before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin. There, in an upstairs room, a circus was taking place where false testimony against the Lord was being feverishly sought. Below that room, in the central courtyard, there was another trial taking place. There was someone else being questioned. There were others asking questions. Peter had made his way into that courtyard along with John. The enemies of Christ had started a charcoal fire to stay warm during the cold night while the mockery of justice was taking place. And Peter was now was warming himself by the fire with the enemies of Christ. Luke tells us that they had all sat down around that fire. ESV Luke 22:55 abAnd when they had kindled a fire in the middle of bthe courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. Love had taken him there. Concern for Christ had taken him there. He wanted to see what was going to happen to his Lord. But the enemy of our souls was there also. There was a sifting taking place. ESV Luke 22:31 "Simon, Simon, behold, aSatan demanded to have you,1 bthat he might sift you like wheat, 32 but aI have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, bstrengthen your brothers."

Topics

• Suffering & Trials