Luke 22:66-23:25

22:66-71

All trial activity had to happen during day light. It was illegal to hold them at night so the first trial Jesus was taken to was illegal by their own standards. They then had to do a pretend daytime trial to legitimize what they had already decided. Christ=Messiah- anointed one (they didn’t think this person would be divine). Jesus response shines a light on their kangaroo court. They ask if He is the Son of God and Jesus says, “Your words, not mine.” Jesus isn’t being dodgy. If someone claims deity in the presence of 2-3 witnesses they could stone him on the spot. But God’s plan is the cross so he needs more trials and for Rome to be involved. Jesus was already blindfolded and beaten, stripped naked and mocked. And He says that he will be vindicated by his Father. Jesus never wavered. Does our hope in God change depending on circumstances? 

Philippians 4:12-13 with God’s help I can keep my confidence in God in the face of trouble. 

23:1-5

The Jews had to increase the accusations against Jesus to try and get Pilate to act. It is unexpected that Pilate doesn’t kill Jesus immediately. His authority and character lend themselves to this kind of response. The wicked, pagan official recognizes Jesus’ innocents when the religious officials are convinced of Jesus’ guilt. Proximity to God often gives us an arrogance in assuming we know what God is thinking and doing and that it lines up with my desires. 

23:6-16

Both Herod and Pilate are trying really hard to not have to declare Jesus guilty or innocent. The trials are mockery. They are both really bad dudes. Herod is so out of touch with reality that he doesn’t recognize the suffering of others and he just wants to be entertained. 

We often measure strength by dominating others. Jesus shows us strength by self control and the amount you are willing to endure for someone else. We love gladiator strength instead of stepping in the way of suffering for others. 

23:18-25

Five days ago the crowds were welcoming Jesus into the city as the Messiah with songs and palm branches and now they are chanting, “crucify him!” They thought Jesus was going in to over throw Rome. They got their hopes up that they were going to be free. When Jesus is dragged out bound and beaten they feel deceived so they are angry. The chief priests and elders are amping up the crowd too. Pilate hands Jesus over to be punished. That was code for scourging. Luke doesn’t describe it because the Romans were in daily proximity to it. More than half of the people who were scourged died from it. The exchange of Jesus for Barabas is a microcosm of the Gospel. We are invited to see ourselves in Barabas.