When Trials Come

 N.T.#798 "When Trials Come"

May 15, 2026 

John 18-Part 5

LET IT GLOW 

Trial #1-Jesus was before Annas the former high priest. 

Trial #2-Jesus went before Caiaphas, the present high priest. He asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine. (verse 19)

What happened next?

• Peter wasn't trying to fit in around the fire in the courtyard, but he didn't want to stand out either. He ended up denying Jesus three times. (verses 15-18) 
• Caiaphas was interested in the number of disciples Jesus had. Jesus had taught openly, not secretively. 
• Jesus asked him to produce witnesses for Him. Failure to produce them would have made this trial illegal.
• One of the officers struck Jesus on the palm of His hand, accusing Him of disrespect or evil.

Did you notice that Jesus stood His ground of innocence? Do our actions look like we don't know Jesus?

LET IT GROW 

Trial #3-Jesus went before the Sanhedrin, into the Hall of judgment and the governor's place of residence. The Jews didn't enter a gentile's quarters. They were more interested in ceremonial purity than justice. Pilate asked what Jesus was accused of doing. (verse 29) They would not have brough a person to Pilate if they had not been an evildoer. 

How did Pilate react to this scheme of the Jews? He told the Jews to take Jesus and judge Him according to their law. Pilate didn't know they wanted to kill Jesus. The Jews couldn't legally execute anyone. They wanted Pilate to pass the death sentence upon Jesus.(vere 31)

Do you see how this procedure was illegal?  

When trials come, are we strong in our faith in Jesus?

LET IT GO

Commit to following Jesus no matter what.