The Desire of Ages
by Ellen G. White
Chapter 75: Before Annas and the Court of Caiaphas
This chapter is based on Matt. 26:57-75; 27:1;
Mark 14:53-72; 15:1; Luke 22:54-71; John 18:13-27.
Over the brook Kedron, past gardens and olive groves, and
through the hushed streets of the sleeping city, they hurried Jesus. It was
past midnight, and the cries of the hooting mob that followed Him broke sharply
upon the still air. The Saviour was bound and closely guarded, and He moved
painfully. But in eager haste His captors made their way with Him to the palace
of Annas, the ex-high priest. {DA 698.1}
Annas was the head of the officiating priestly family, and
in deference to his age he was recognized by the people as high priest. His
counsel was sought and carried out as the voice of God. He must first see Jesus
a captive to priestly power. He must be present at the examination of the
prisoner, for fear that the less-experienced Caiaphas might fail of securing
the object for which they were working. His artifice, cunning, and subtlety
must be used on this occasion; for, at all events, Christ's condemnation must
be secured. {DA 698.2}
Christ was to be tried formally before the Sanhedrin; but
before Annas He was subjected to a preliminary trial. Under the Roman rule the
Sanhedrin could not execute the sentence of death. They could only examine a
prisoner, and pass judgment, to be ratified by the Roman authorities. It was
therefore necessary to bring against Christ charges [699] that
would be regarded as criminal by the Romans. An accusation must also be found
which would condemn Him in the eyes of the Jews. Not a few among the priests
and rulers had been convicted by Christ's teaching, and only fear of
excommunication prevented them from confessing Him. The priests well remembered
the question of Nicodemus, "Doth our law judge any man, before it hear
him, and know what he doeth?" John 7:51. This question had for the time
broken up the council, and thwarted their plans. Joseph of Arimathaea and
Nicodemus were not now to be summoned, but there were others who might dare to
speak in favor of justice. The trial must be so conducted as to unite the
members of the Sanhedrin against Christ. There were two charges which the
priests desired to maintain. If Jesus could be proved a blasphemer, He would be
condemned by the Jews. If convicted of sedition, it would secure His
condemnation by the Romans. The second charge Annas tried first to establish.
He questioned Jesus concerning His disciples and His doctrines, hoping the
prisoner would say something that would give him material upon which to work.
He thought to draw out some statement to prove that He was seeking to establish
a secret society, with the purpose of setting up a new kingdom. Then the
priests could deliver Him to the Romans as a disturber of the peace and a
creator of insurrection. {DA
698.3}
Christ read the priest's purpose as an open book. As if
reading the inmost soul of His questioner, He denied that there was between Him
and His followers any secret bond of union, or that He gathered them secretly
and in the darkness to conceal His designs. He had no secrets in regard to His
purposes or doctrines. "I spake openly to the world," He answered;
"I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews
always resort; and in secret have I said nothing." {DA 699.1}
The Saviour contrasted His own manner of work with the
methods of His accusers. For months they had hunted Him, striving to entrap Him
and bring Him before a secret tribunal, where they might obtain by perjury what
it was impossible to gain by fair means. Now they were carrying out their
purpose. The midnight seizure by a mob, the mockery and abuse before He was
condemned, or even accused, was their manner of work, not His. Their action was
in violation of the law. Their own rules declared that every man should be
treated as innocent until proved guilty. By their own rules the priests stood
condemned. {DA 699.2}
Turning upon His questioner, Jesus said, "Why askest
thou Me?" Had not the priests and rulers sent spies to watch His
movements, and report His every word? Had not these been present at every
gathering [700] of the people, and carried to the priests
information of all His sayings and doings? "Ask them which heard Me, what
I have said unto them," replied Jesus; "behold, they know what I
said." {DA 699.3}
Annas was silenced by the decision of the answer. Fearing
that Christ would say something regarding his course of action that he would
prefer to keep covered up, he said nothing more to Him at this time. One of his
officers, filled with wrath as he saw Annas silenced, struck Jesus on the face,
saying, "Answerest Thou the high priest so?" {DA 700.1}
Christ calmly replied, "If I have spoken evil, bear
witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou Me?" He spoke no
burning words of retaliation. His calm answer came from a heart sinless,
patient, and gentle, that would not be provoked. {DA 700.2}
Christ suffered keenly under abuse and insult. At the hands
of the beings whom He had created, and for whom He was making an infinite
sacrifice, He received every indignity. And He suffered in proportion to the
perfection of His holiness and His hatred of sin. His trial by men who acted as
fiends was to Him a perpetual sacrifice. To be surrounded by human beings under
the control of Satan was revolting to Him. And He knew that in a moment, by the
flashing forth of His divine power, He could lay His cruel tormentors in the
dust. This made the trial the harder to bear. {DA 700.3}
The Jews were looking for a Messiah to be revealed in
outward show. They expected Him, by one flash of overmastering will, to change
the current of men's thoughts, and force from them an acknowledgment of His
supremacy. Thus, they believed, He was to secure His own exaltation, and
gratify their ambitious hopes. Thus when Christ was treated with contempt,
there came to Him a strong temptation to manifest His divine character. By a
word, by a look, He could compel His persecutors to confess that He was Lord
above kings and rulers, priests and temple. But it was His difficult task to
keep to the position He had chosen as one with humanity. {DA 700.4}
The angels of heaven witnessed every movement made against
their loved Commander. They longed to deliver Christ. Under God the angels are
all-powerful. On one occasion, in obedience to the command of Christ, they slew
of the Assyrian army in one night one hundred and eighty-five thousand men. How
easily could the angels, beholding the shameful scene of the trial of Christ,
have testified their indignation by consuming the adversaries of God! But they
were not commanded to do this. He who could have doomed His enemies to death
bore with [703] their cruelty. His love for His Father, and
His pledge, made from the foundation of the world, to become the Sin Bearer,
led Him to endure uncomplainingly the coarse treatment of those He came to
save. It was a part of His mission to bear, in His humanity, all the taunts and
abuse that men could heap upon Him. The only hope of humanity was in this
submission of Christ to all that He could endure from the hands and hearts of
men. {DA 700.5}
Christ had said nothing that could give His accusers an
advantage; yet He was bound, to signify that He was condemned. There must,
however, be a pretense of justice. It was necessary that there should be the
form of a legal trial. This the authorities were determined to hasten. They
knew the regard in which Jesus was held by the people, and feared that if the
arrest were noised abroad, a rescue would be attempted. Again, if the trial and
execution were not brought about at once, there would be a week's delay on
account of the celebration of the Passover. This might defeat their plans. In
securing the condemnation of Jesus they depended largely upon the clamor of the
mob, many of them the rabble of Jerusalem. Should there be a week's delay, the
excitement would abate, and a reaction would be likely to set in. The better
part of the people would be aroused in Christ's favor; many would come forward
with testimony in His vindication, bringing to light the mighty works He had
done. This would excite popular indignation against the Sanhedrin. Their
proceedings would be condemned, and Jesus would be set free, to receive new
homage from the multitudes. The priests and rulers therefore determined that
before their purpose could become known, Jesus should be delivered into the
hands of the Romans. {DA
703.1}
But first of all, an accusation was to be found. They had
gained nothing as yet. Annas ordered Jesus to be taken to Caiaphas. Caiaphas
belonged to the Sadducees, some of whom were now the most desperate enemies of
Jesus. He himself, though wanting in force of character, was fully as severe,
heartless, and unscrupulous as was Annas. He would leave no means untried to
destroy Jesus. It was now early morning, and very dark; by the light of torches
and lanterns the armed band with their prisoner proceeded to the high priest's
palace. Here, while the members of the Sanhedrin were coming together, Annas
and Caiaphas again questioned Jesus, but without success. {DA 703.2}
When the council had assembled in the judgment hall,
Caiaphas took his seat as presiding officer. On either side were the judges,
and those specially interested in the trial. The Roman soldiers were stationed
on [704]
the platform below the throne. At the foot of the throne stood Jesus. Upon Him
the gaze of the whole multitude was fixed. The excitement was intense. Of all
the throng He alone was calm and serene. The very atmosphere surrounding Him
seemed pervaded by a holy influence. {DA 703.3}
Caiaphas had regarded Jesus as his rival. The eagerness of
the people to hear the Saviour, and their apparent readiness to accept His
teachings, had aroused the bitter jealousy of the high priest. But as Caiaphas
now looked upon the prisoner, he was struck with admiration for His noble and
dignified bearing. A conviction came over him that this Man was akin to God.
The next instant he scornfully banished the thought. Immediately [705]
his voice was heard in sneering, haughty tones demanding that Jesus work one of
His mighty miracles before them. But his words fell upon the Saviour's ears as
though He heard them not. The people compared the excited and malignant
deportment of Annas and Caiaphas with the calm, majestic bearing of Jesus. Even
in the minds of that hardened multitude arose the question, Is this man of
godlike presence to be condemned as a criminal? {DA 704.1}
Caiaphas, perceiving the influence that was obtaining,
hastened the trial. The enemies of Jesus were in great perplexity. They were
bent on securing His condemnation, but how to accomplish this they knew not.
The members of the council were divided between the Pharisees and the
Sadducees. There was bitter animosity and controversy between them; certain
disputed points they dared not approach for fear of a quarrel. With a few words
Jesus could have excited their prejudices against each other, and thus have
averted their wrath from Himself. Caiaphas knew this, and he wished to avoid
stirring up a contention. There were plenty of witnesses to prove that Christ
had denounced the priests and scribes, that He had called them hypocrites and
murderers; but this testimony it was not expedient to bring forward. The
Sadducees in their sharp contentions with the Pharisees had used to them
similar language. And such testimony would have no weight with the Romans, who
were themselves disgusted with the pretensions of the Pharisees. There was
abundant evidence that Jesus had disregarded the traditions of the Jews, and
had spoken irreverently of many of their ordinances; but in regard to tradition
the Pharisees and Sadducees were at swords' points; and this evidence also
would have no weight with the Romans. Christ's enemies dared not accuse Him of
Sabbathbreaking, lest an examination should reveal the character of His work.
If His miracles of healing were brought to light, the very object of the
priests would be defeated. {DA
705.1}
False witnesses had been bribed to accuse Jesus of inciting
rebellion and seeking to establish a separate government. But their testimony
proved to be vague and contradictory. Under examination they falsified their
own statements. {DA 705.2}
Early in His ministry Christ had said, "Destroy this
temple, and in three days I will raise it up." In the figurative language
of prophecy, He had thus foretold His own death and resurrection. "He
spake of the temple of His body." John 2:19, 21. These words the Jews had
understood in a literal sense, as referring to the temple at Jerusalem. Of all
that Christ had said, the priests could find nothing to use against Him [706]
save this. By misstating these words they hoped to gain an advantage. The
Romans had engaged in rebuilding and embellishing the temple, and they took
great pride in it; any contempt shown to it would be sure to excite their
indignation. Here Romans and Jews, Pharisees and Sadducees, could meet; for all
held the temple in great veneration. On this point two witnesses were found
whose testimony was not so contradictory as that of the others had been. One of
them, who had been bribed to accuse Jesus, declared, "This fellow said, I
am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days." Thus
Christ's words were misstated. If they had been reported exactly as He spoke
them, they would not have secured His condemnation even by the Sanhedrin. Had
Jesus been a mere man, as the Jews claimed, His declaration would only have
indicated an unreasonable, boastful spirit, but could not have been construed
into blasphemy. Even as misrepresented by the false witnesses, His words
contained nothing which would be regarded by the Romans as a crime worthy of
death. {DA 705.3}
Patiently Jesus listened to the conflicting testimonies. No
word did He utter in self-defense. At last His accusers were entangled,
confused, and maddened. The trial was making no headway; it seemed that their
plottings were to fail. Caiaphas was desperate. One last resort remained;
Christ must be forced to condemn Himself. The high priest started from the
judgment seat, his face contorted with passion, his voice and demeanor plainly
indicating that were it in his power he would strike down the prisoner before
him. "Answerest Thou nothing?" he exclaimed; "what is it which
these witness against Thee?" {DA 706.1}
Jesus held His peace. "He was oppressed, and He was afflicted,
yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a
sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth." Isaiah
53:7. {DA 706.2}
At last, Caiaphas, raising his right hand toward heaven,
addressed Jesus in the form of a solemn oath: "I adjure Thee by the living
God, that Thou tell us whether Thou be the Christ, the Son of God." {DA 706.3}
To this appeal Christ could not remain silent. There was a
time to be silent, and a time to speak. He had not spoken until directly
questioned. He knew that to answer now would make His death certain. But the
appeal was made by the highest acknowledged authority of the nation, and in the
name of the Most High. Christ would not fail to show proper respect for the
law. More than this, His own relation to the Father was called in question. He
must plainly declare His character and mission. [707] Jesus
had said to His disciples, "Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before
men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven." Matthew
10:32. Now by His own example He repeated the lesson. {DA 706.4}
Every ear was bent to listen, and every eye was fixed on His
face as He answered, "Thou hast said." A heavenly light seemed to
illuminate His pale countenance as He added, "Nevertheless I say unto you,
Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and
coming in the clouds of heaven." {DA 707.1}
For a moment the divinity of Christ flashed through His
guise of humanity. The high priest quailed before the penetrating eyes of the
Saviour. That look seemed to read his hidden thoughts, and burn into his heart.
Never in afterlife did he forget that searching glance of the persecuted Son of
God. {DA 707.2}
"Hereafter," said Jesus, "shall ye see the
Son of man sitting on the [708] right hand of power, and coming
in the clouds of heaven." In these words Christ presented the reverse of
the scene then taking place. He, the Lord of life and glory, would be seated at
God's right hand. He would be the judge of all the earth, and from His decision
there could be no appeal. Then every secret thing would be set in the light of
God's countenance, and judgment be passed upon every man according to his
deeds. {DA 707.3}
The words of Christ startled the high priest. The thought
that there was to be a resurrection of the dead, when all would stand at the
bar of God, to be rewarded according to their works, was a thought of terror to
Caiaphas. He did not wish to believe that in future he would receive sentence
according to his works. There rushed before his mind as a panorama the scenes
of the final judgment. For a moment he saw the fearful spectacle of the graves
giving up their dead, with the secrets he had hoped were forever hidden. For a
moment he felt as if standing before the eternal Judge, whose eye, which sees
all things, was reading his soul, bringing to light mysteries supposed to be
hidden with the dead. {DA
708.1}
The scene passed from the priest's vision. Christ's words
cut him, the Sadducee, to the quick. Caiaphas had denied the doctrine of the
resurrection, the judgment, and a future life. Now he was maddened by satanic
fury. Was this man, a prisoner before him, to assail his most cherished
theories? Rending his robe, that the people might see his pretended horror, he
demanded that without further preliminaries the prisoner be condemned for
blasphemy. "What further need have we of witnesses?" he said;
"behold, now ye have heard His blasphemy. What think ye?" And they
all condemned Him. {DA
708.2}
Conviction mingled with passion led Caiaphas to do as he
did. He was furious with himself for believing Christ's words, and instead of
rending his heart under a deep sense of truth, and confessing that Jesus was
the Messiah, he rent his priestly robes in determined resistance. This act was
deeply significant. Little did Caiaphas realize its meaning. In this act, done
to influence the judges and secure Christ's condemnation, the high priest had
condemned himself. By the law of God he was disqualified for the priesthood. He
had pronounced upon himself the death sentence. {DA 708.3}
A high priest was not to rend his garments. By the Levitical
law, this was prohibited under sentence of death. Under no circumstances, on no
occasion, was the priest to rend his robe. It was the custom among the Jews for
the garments to be rent at the death of friends, but this [709] custom
the priests were not to observe. Express command had been given by Christ to
Moses concerning this. Leviticus 10:6. {DA 708.4}
Everything worn by the priest was to be whole and without
blemish. By those beautiful official garments was represented the character of
the great antitype, Jesus Christ. Nothing but perfection, in dress and
attitude, in word and spirit, could be acceptable to God. He is holy, and His
glory and perfection must be represented by the earthly service. Nothing but
perfection could properly represent the sacredness of the heavenly service.
Finite man might rend his own heart by showing a contrite and humble spirit.
This God would discern. But no rent must be made in the priestly robes, for
this would mar the representation of heavenly things. The high priest who dared
to appear in holy office, and engage in the service of the sanctuary, with a
rent robe, was looked upon as having severed himself from God. By rending his
garment he cut himself off from being a representative character. He was no
longer accepted by God as an officiating priest. This course of action, as
exhibited by Caiaphas, showed human passion, human imperfection. {DA 709.1}
By rending his garments, Caiaphas made of no effect the law
of God, to follow the tradition of men. A man-made law provided that in case of
blasphemy a priest might rend his garments in horror at the sin, and be
guiltless. Thus the law of God was made void by the laws of men. {DA 709.2}
Each action of the high priest was watched with interest by
the people; and Caiaphas thought for effect to display his piety. But in this
act, designed as an accusation against Christ, he was reviling the One of whom
God had said, "My name is in Him." Exodus 23:21. He himself was
committing blasphemy. Standing under the condemnation of God, he pronounced
sentence upon Christ as a blasphemer. {DA 709.3}
When Caiaphas rent his garment, his act was significant of
the place that the Jewish nation as a nation would thereafter occupy toward
God. The once favored people of God were separating themselves from Him, and
were fast becoming a people disowned by Jehovah. When Christ upon the cross
cried out, "It is finished" (John 19:30), and the veil of the temple
was rent in twain, the Holy Watcher declared that the Jewish people had
rejected Him who was the antitype of all their types, the substance of all
their shadows. Israel was divorced from God. Well might Caiaphas then rend his
official robes, which signified that he claimed to be a representative of the
great High Priest; for no longer had they any meaning for him or for the
people. Well might the high priest rend his robes in horror for himself and for
the nation. [710] {DA 709.4}
The Sanhedrin had pronounced Jesus worthy of death; but it
was contrary to the Jewish law to try a prisoner by night. In legal
condemnation nothing could be done except in the light of day and before a full
session of the council. Notwithstanding this, the Saviour was now treated as a
condemned criminal, and given up to be abused by the lowest and vilest of
humankind. The palace of the high priest surrounded an open court in which the
soldiers and the multitude had gathered. Through this court, Jesus was taken to
the guardroom, on every side meeting with mockery of His claim to be the Son of
God. His own words, "sitting on the right hand of power," and,
"coming in the clouds of heaven," were jeeringly repeated. While in
the guardroom, awaiting His legal trial, He was not protected. The ignorant
rabble had seen the cruelty with which He was treated before the council, and
from this they took license to manifest all the satanic elements of their
nature. Christ's very nobility and godlike bearing goaded them to madness. His
meekness, His innocence, His majestic patience, filled them with hatred born of
Satan. Mercy and justice were trampled upon. Never was criminal treated in so
inhuman a manner as was the Son of God. {DA 710.1}
But a keener anguish rent the heart of Jesus; the blow that
inflicted the deepest pain no enemy's hand could have dealt. While He was
undergoing the mockery of an examination before Caiaphas, Christ had been
denied by one of His own disciples. {DA 710.2}
After deserting their Master in the garden, two of the
disciples had ventured to follow, at a distance, the mob that had Jesus in
charge. These disciples were Peter and John. The priests recognized John as a
well-known disciple of Jesus, and admitted him to the hall, hoping that as he
witnessed the humiliation of his Leader, he would scorn the idea of such a one
being the Son of God. John spoke in favor of Peter, and gained an entrance for
him also. {DA 710.3}
In the court a fire had been kindled; for it was the coldest
hour of the night, being just before the dawn. A company drew about the fire,
and Peter presumptuously took his place with them. He did not wish to be
recognized as a disciple of Jesus. By mingling carelessly with the crowd, he
hoped to be taken for one of those who had brought Jesus to the hall. {DA 710.4}
But as the light flashed upon Peter's face, the woman who
kept the door cast a searching glance upon him. She had noticed that he came in
with John, she marked the look of dejection on his face, and thought [711]
that he might be a disciple of Jesus. She was one of the servants of Caiaphas'
household, and was curious to know. She said to Peter, "Art not thou also
one of this Man's disciples?" Peter was startled and confused; the eyes of
the company instantly fastened upon him. He pretended not to understand her;
but she was persistent, and said to those around her that this man was with
Jesus. Peter felt compelled to answer, and said angrily, "Woman, I know
Him not." This was the first denial, and immediately the cock crew. O
Peter, so soon ashamed of thy Master! so soon to deny thy Lord! {DA 710.5}
The disciple John, upon entering the judgment hall, did not
try to conceal the fact that he was a follower of Jesus. He did not mingle with
the rough company who were reviling his Master. He was not questioned, for he
did not assume a false character, and thus lay himself liable to suspicion. He
sought a retired corner secure from the notice [712] of the
mob, but as near Jesus as it was possible for him to be. Here he could see and
hear all that took place at the trial of his Lord. {DA 711.1}
Peter had not designed that his real character should be
known. In assuming an air of indifference he had placed himself on the enemy's
ground, and he became an easy prey to temptation. If he had been called to
fight for his Master, he would have been a courageous soldier; but when the
finger of scorn was pointed at him, he proved himself a coward. Many who do not
shrink from active warfare for their Lord are driven by ridicule to deny their
faith. By associating with those whom they should avoid, they place themselves
in the way of temptation. They invite the enemy to tempt them, and are led to
say and do that of which under other circumstances they would never have been
guilty. The disciple of Christ who in our day disguises his faith through dread
of suffering or reproach denies his Lord as really as did Peter in the judgment
hall. {DA 712.1}
Peter tried to show no interest in the trial of his Master,
but his heart was wrung with sorrow as he heard the cruel taunts, and saw the
abuse He was suffering. More than this, he was surprised and angry that Jesus
should humiliate Himself and His followers by submitting to such treatment. In
order to conceal his true feelings, he endeavored to join with the persecutors
of Jesus in their untimely jests. But his appearance was unnatural. He was
acting a lie, and while seeking to talk unconcernedly he could not restrain
expressions of indignation at the abuse heaped upon his Master. {DA 712.2}
Attention was called to him the second time, and he was
again charged with being a follower of Jesus. He now declared with an oath,
"I do not know the Man." Still another opportunity was given him. An
hour had passed, when one of the servants of the high priest, being a near
kinsman of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked him, "Did not I see
thee in the garden with Him?" "Surely thou art one of them: for thou
art a Galilean, and thy speech agreeth thereto." At this Peter flew into a
rage. The disciples of Jesus were noted for the purity of their language, and
in order fully to deceive his questioners, and justify his assumed character,
Peter now denied his Master with cursing and swearing. Again the cock crew.
Peter heard it then, and he remembered the words of Jesus, "Before the
cock crow twice, thou shalt deny Me thrice." Mark 14:30. {DA 712.3}
While the degrading oaths were fresh upon Peter's lips, and
the shrill [713] crowing of the cock was still
ringing in his ears, the Saviour turned from the frowning judges, and looked
full upon His poor disciple. At the same time Peter's eyes were drawn to his
Master. In that gentle countenance he read deep pity and sorrow, but there was
no anger there. {DA 712.4}
The sight of that pale, suffering face, those quivering lips,
that look of compassion and forgiveness, pierced his heart like an arrow.
Conscience was aroused. Memory was active. Peter called to mind his promise of
a few short hours before that he would go with his Lord to prison and to death.
He remembered his grief when the Saviour told him in the upper chamber that he
would deny his Lord thrice that same night. Peter had just declared that he
knew not Jesus, but he now realized with bitter grief how well his Lord knew
him, and how accurately He had read his heart, the falseness of which was
unknown even to himself. {DA
713.1}
A tide of memories rushed over him. The Saviour's tender
mercy, His kindness and long-suffering, His gentleness and patience toward His
erring disciples,—all was remembered. He recalled the caution,
"Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as
wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." Luke 22:31,
32. He reflected with horror upon his own ingratitude, his falsehood, his
perjury. Once more he looked at his Master, and saw a sacrilegious hand raised
to smite Him in the face. Unable longer to endure the scene, he rushed,
heartbroken, from the hall. {DA
713.2}
He pressed on in solitude and darkness, he knew not and
cared not whither. At last he found himself in Gethsemane. The scene of a few
hours before came vividly to his mind. The suffering face of his Lord, stained
with bloody sweat and convulsed with anguish, rose before him. He remembered
with bitter remorse that Jesus had wept and agonized in prayer alone, while
those who should have united with Him in that trying hour were sleeping. He
remembered His solemn charge, "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into
temptation." Matthew 26:41. He witnessed again the scene in the judgment hall.
It was torture to his bleeding heart to know that he had added the heaviest
burden to the Saviour's humiliation and grief. On the very spot where Jesus had
poured out His soul in agony to His Father, Peter fell upon his face, and
wished that he might die. {DA
713.3}
It was in sleeping when Jesus bade him watch and pray that
Peter had prepared the way for his great sin. All the disciples, by sleeping [714]
in that critical hour, sustained a great loss. Christ knew the fiery ordeal
through which they were to pass. He knew how Satan would work to paralyze their
senses that they might be unready for the trial. Therefore it was that He gave
them warning. Had those hours in the garden been spent in watching and prayer,
Peter would not have been left to depend upon his own feeble strength. He would
not have denied his Lord. Had the disciples watched with Christ in His agony,
they would have been prepared to behold His suffering upon the cross. They
would have understood in some degree the nature of His overpowering anguish.
They would have been able to recall His words that foretold His sufferings, His
death, and His resurrection. Amid the gloom of the most trying hour, some rays
of hope would have lighted up the darkness and sustained their faith. {DA 713.4}
As soon as it was day, the Sanhedrin again assembled, and
again Jesus was brought into the council room. He had declared Himself the Son
of God, and they had construed His words into a charge against Him. But they
could not condemn Him on this, for many of them had not been present at the
night session, and they had not heard His words. And they knew that the Roman
tribunal would find in them nothing worthy of death. But if from His own lips
they could all hear those words repeated, their object might be gained. His claim
to the Messiahship they might construe into a seditious political claim. {DA 714.1}
"Art Thou the Christ?" they said, "tell
us." But Christ remained silent. They continued to ply Him with questions.
At last in tones of mournful pathos He answered, "If I tell you, ye will
not believe; and if I also ask you, ye will not answer Me, nor let Me go."
But that they might be left without excuse He added the solemn warning,
"Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God."
{DA 714.2}
"Art Thou then the Son of God?" they asked with
one voice. He said unto them, "Ye say that I am." They cried out,
"What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of His own
mouth." {DA 714.3}
And so by the third condemnation of the Jewish authorities,
Jesus was to die. All that was now necessary, they thought, was for the Romans
to ratify this condemnation, and deliver Him into their hands. {DA 714.4}
Then came the third scene of abuse and mockery, worse even
than that received from the ignorant rabble. In the very presence of the
priests and rulers, and with their sanction, this took place. Every feeling of
sympathy or humanity had gone out of their hearts. If their arguments [715]
were weak, and failed to silence His voice, they had other weapons, such as in
all ages have been used to silence heretics,—suffering, and violence,
and death. {DA 714.5}
When the condemnation of Jesus was pronounced by the judges,
a satanic fury took possession of the people. The roar of voices was like that
of wild beasts. The crowd made a rush toward Jesus, crying, He is guilty, put
Him to death! Had it not been for the Roman soldiers, Jesus would not have
lived to be nailed to the cross of Calvary. He would have been torn in pieces
before His judges, had not Roman authority interfered, and by force of arms
restrained the violence of the mob. {DA 715.1}
Heathen men were angry at the brutal treatment of one
against whom nothing had been proved. The Roman officers declared that the Jews
in pronouncing condemnation upon Jesus were infringing upon the Roman power,
and that it was even against the Jewish law to condemn a man to death upon his
own testimony. This intervention brought a momentary lull in the proceedings;
but the Jewish leaders were dead alike to pity and to shame. {DA 715.2}
Priests and rulers forgot the dignity of their office, and
abused the Son of God with foul epithets. They taunted Him with His parentage.
They declared that His presumption in proclaiming Himself the Messiah made Him
deserving of the most ignominious death. The most dissolute men engaged in
infamous abuse of the Saviour. An old garment was thrown over His head, and His
persecutors struck Him in the face, saying, "Prophesy unto us, Thou
Christ, Who is he that smote Thee?" When the garment was removed, one poor
wretch spat in His face. {DA
715.3}
The angels of God faithfully recorded every insulting look,
word, and act against their beloved Commander. One day the base men who scorned
and spat upon the calm, pale face of Christ will look upon it in its glory,
shining brighter than the sun. {DA 715.4}
Click here to read the next chapter:
"Judas"
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