It was during this time that Peter ended up denying Jesus three times. Somehow, when Peter denied Jesus for the third time, Jesus + Peter made eye contact.
When Peter looked into the eyes of the leader + Lord he had just failed, I don’t think for a moment that Jesus glared at him. I believe Jesus looked at him with compassion + forgiveness + that compassion triggered Peter’s memory + caused this rough, tough fisherman to break. Peter quickly ran out of the courtyard + fell completely apart (Matthew 26:58, 69-75; Mark 14:54, 66-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-18, 25-27).
It was also during these early morning hours that Judas got clarity on what he had just done, regretted his actions + admitted, “I’ve sinned. I’ve betrayed an innocent man.” The religious authorities responded, “We could care less. That’s your problem.”
Repulsed by his own actions, Judas threw the silver coins he had been paid into the temple, ran out of the temple + ultimately + violently hung himself (Matthew 27:3-10).
At daybreak, the Roman trials began.
According to the Old Testament, blasphemy was punishable by death by stoning (Leviticus 24:10-16). However, Rome didn’t allow the Jewish authorities to carry out capital punishment cases themselves.
Just a few years prior, Rome had rescinded the rights of Jewish leaders to carry out the death penalty (John 18:31). They allowed the Sanhedrin to rule in religious matters + in some civil cases, but never in a capital case. Every death sentence had to be approved by Rome.
The only person who could order the execution of Jesus was the Roman Governor, Pilate. So, at the break of day, around 6 a.m.,
Jesus was hurried off to Pilate for His civil trial.
Even though the Jewish authorities had found Jesus guilty of blasphemy, no mention is made of blasphemy by the Jewish authorities in His civil or Roman trial. The charge the Sanhedrin leveled to the Roman Governor was changed to sedition, treason + subversion.
The religious leaders realized that the Romans could care less about their religious beliefs + practices. If a charge was going to stick + a death sentence be passed, they needed to politicize the charges.
Religion does strange things to people.
The group of religious leaders who bring Jesus before the Roman Governor Pilate have murder on their mind, but also don’t want to exempt themselves from participating in the upcoming religious holiday. So, they refuse to enter Pilate’s headquarters for the legal proceedings because that would make them unclean + unable to participate in Passover + the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Again, religious people always love looking right over being right!
The three Roman trials of Jesus take place within a span of about two hours. First, Jesus stood trial before Pilate who wasn’t able to find any fault at all in Him (Matthew 27: 2, 11-14; Mark 15:1-5, Luke 23:1-5; John 18:28-38).
When Pilate discovered that Jesus was from Galilee, he passed the buck to Herod, hoping that Herod would take Him off his hands + deal with the whole sleazy mess. At first, Herod was elated. He had wanted to meet Jesus + was hoping to see Jesus do something spectacular.
The second “trial” consisted of Herod peppering Jesus with question after question. In a beautiful display of strength, dignity + poise, Jesus refused to play Herod’s games. As the religious leaders stood there shouting their accusations, Herod turned on Jesus + led his soldiers in mocking + ridiculing Jesus.
Finally, tired of the games + refusing to take responsibility, Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate for His third + final trial (Matthew 27:15-30; Mark 15:6-19; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39-19:1, 4-16).
Philip Yancey writes, “The trial sequence has a ‘pass-the-buck’ quality. No one seems willing to accept full responsibility for executing Jesus, yet everyone wants him disposed of.”[1]
The trials were nothing more than a Kangaroo Court where the evidence was rigged, the witnesses bribed + the verdict decided before the case ever began. The verdict would ultimately be death by crucifixion.
Today’s Verse: Just then, the Master turned + looked at Peter. Peter remembered what the Master had said to him: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” He went out + cried + cried + cried. —Luke 22:61-62 MSG
Today’s Prompt: Have you ever felt like you denied knowing Jesus?
Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that Jesus already knows when I am going to mess up + He loves me still.
Today’s Prayer: Father, help me to be faithful to You, to my love + affection for Jesus + my reliance upon the Holy Spirit. I am sorry for any time I denied You + ask for Your grace to help me stand stronger in the future. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
[1] Philip Yancey, The Jesus I Never Knew, page 197.