Verdict | Week 1 | Religious Verdict
Luke 22:66-71 | Pastor Keoni Hughes
3 Ironies of The Religious Trial of the Jesus
The Events of the Last Night
- Footwashing
- The Lord’s Supper Established
- Upper Room Discourse
- Prayer Garden of Gethsemane
- Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
1. Breaking the Law to Uphold the Law | v. 66
The Gospels are not presenting exhaustive accounts.
The Gospels are written to specific audiences.
Timeline of the Trial
- Inquiry before Annas (John 18)
- Evening meeting with Caiaphas presiding (Mark 14, Matt. 26)
- A morning confirmation before the Sanhedrin (Mark 15, Matt. 27, Luke 22)
- First meeting with Pilate (Mark 15, Matt. 27, Luke 23, John 18)
- Meeting with Herod (Luke 23)
- Second meeting with Pilate and the people (Matt. 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 18)
Sanhedrin Laws Broken
- Proceedings took place in high priests’ homes and not in the temple.
- Jesus was tried without a defense.
- Jesus was accused of blasphemy without actually blaspheming in the technical sense of using the divine name.
- The verdict came in the space of one day, when two days were required for capital trial.
- Jesus was tried on a feast day.
- Contradictory testimony nullifies evidence.
- High priest was not to pronounce guilt of a party until all others had spoken.
“Legalism isolates the law of God from the God who gave the law.”
2. The Defendant Claiming to be the Judge | v. 67-69
“The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’” – Psalm 110:1
God is Holy and He is Personal
3. Religious People Don’t Want the Real Messiah! | v. 70-71
Discussion Questions
What are other ironies you can see in this trial?
What are ways you have attempted to earn God’s favor?