Second Chances

This morning, we are in John 18:12, and we have now ventured into the wee hours of Friday morning, and 600 plus Roman soldiers came to arrest Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane, and that is where we pick up today’s story. 

 

As we continue in John 18 this morning, we are going to be seeing two different scenes that took place at the same time.  The first scene is with Jesus and Annas and Caiaphas and John.  The second scene is with Peter.

 

 

14. Jesus was detained, John 18:12-14.

12 Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. 13 And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. 14 Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

 

In verses 12-14, we see that Jesus was detained or arrested or incarcerated.  The Roman cohort did not arrest Jesus disciples as they fled, but they did arrest Jesus, and they bound Him probably meaning that His hands were tied behind His back.

 

In verse 13, we see that the first place Jesus was led was the residence of Annas.  Who was Annas?  Evidently, he was the high priest emeritus.  Even though he wasn’t the acting high priest, he still exercised a lot of influence as his daughter’s husband was the acting high priest.

 

It seems that Annas saw Jesus first in an informal setting.  You might even think of this like we see on television when detectives interrogate suspects in the police station. 

 

Jesus would experience two trials on this Friday.  The first was at the hands of the religious leaders, and the second was at the hands of the Roman leaders.  The religious trial was conducted by Caiaphas.  The Roman trail was conducted by Pilate. 

 

Notice one last item in verse 14.  John reminded us that it was Caiaphas who prophesied that Jesus would die on behalf of all the people.  See John 11:49-52.

 

49 And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, 50 nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.” 51 Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.

 

I made this point last week, but it certainly bears repeating.  Jesus died for the sins of the world.  He died physically so that you and I would not have to die spiritually if we confess Him as Lord and Savior.

 

Always remember that.  Jesus died for your sins and my sins.

 

 

24. Jesus was demeaned, John 18:19-24.

19 The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine.  20 Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. 21 Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed, they know what I said.”  22 And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Do You answer the high priest like that?”  23 Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?”  24 Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. 

 

Skip down to verse 19. Jesus was before Annas, the high priest emeritus.  Annas questioned Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine or teaching. 

 

Jesus spoken plainly and told him that He taught openly and in the Jewish synagogues and in the temple.  He taught nothing in secret. 

 

After His answer, one of those soldiers present evidently thought Jesus was being disrespectful to Annas and hit Jesus in the face.  Jesus was demeaned. 

 

However, Jesus responded by asking what He had done wrong for which there was no answer.  In verse 24, Annas sent him on for His official religious trial with the Jewish religious leaders which would be conducted by Caiaphas, the sitting high priest.

 

 

• Jesus was denied, John 18:15-18, 25-27.

15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. 16 But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in. 17 Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?”  He said, “I am not.”  18 Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself.

 

25 Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore, they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?”  He denied it and said, “I am not!”  26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” 27 Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.

 

Not only was Jesus detained and demeaned, but we also see that Jesus was denied.  It is almost like we have split screens as we see these two different scenes taking place at the same time. 

 

In verse 15, Peter and most likely John followed behind the soldiers as Jesus was taken to Annas’ residence. 

 

In verse 16, John had enough of a connection with the high priest that he was able to bring Peter inside.  However, Peter remained outside or at least in the doorway. 

 

In verse 17, the doorkeeper asked or accused Peter of being one of Jesus disciples, and at the end of verse 17, we have the first of three times in which Peter denied any association with Jesus.  Again, Peter decided not to come inside and remained outside and gathered around a fire with some of the Roman soldiers.

 

Now, move to verses 25-27.  Again, Peter was standing outside around the fire.  Jerusalem is approximately 2500 feet about sea level.  Therefore, it is appropriate to see the coolness of the weather in the wee hours of this spring morning. 

 

For the second time, Peter was asked or accused of being one of Jesus’ disciples.  For the second time, he denied Christ. 

 

Finally, a relative of Malchus, the man that had his ear cut off by Peter, asked or accused Peter of being a disciple of Jesus, and for the third time, Peter denied Christ. 

 

At that very moment, a prophecy was fulfilled when the rooster crowed.  By the way, that rooster crowing probably signaled 3 AM. 

 

Turn over to Luke 22:61-62.  The eyes of Peter and the eyes of Jesus met, and Peter was devastated.

 

61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly.

 

 

Applications

Frist, we should get used to earthly injustice as followers of Christ.  All that took place with Jesus and Annas was not legal according to Jewish law on several levels.

 

First, it was illegal for a trial to take place in secret or at night.  Second, it was illegal for a trial to take place somewhere other than the hall of judgment, which was in the temple.  Third, the accused could not be compelled to testify against himself or asked self-incriminating questions.  Fourth, Annas provided no witnesses of Jesus’ accused crimes. Fifth, to strike the accused who had not been proven guilty was also illegal. 

 

All of this goes to show that Jesus was not treated fairly.  As a result, it is foolish on our part to think we will encounter anything but injustice in this life if we are followers of Jesus.  We should get used to the world treating us unjustly if we are going to name the name of Christ as Lord and Savior.

 

Second, we can learn from Jesus to be the same person in public as in we are in private.  Jesus told Annas that He hadn’t done anything in secret.  He was not ashamed of any of His actions or teachings.  He was the same man. 

 

As a follower of Christ, after we attend church on Sunday, are we the same Christian on Monday through Friday at work or on Saturday at the ball game or golf course or deer camp?  The church has lost much of our influence because of hypocrisy in the pulpit and in the pew. 

 

Let’s be real.  Let’s be genuine.  Let’s be authentic, and may our walk match our talk.

 

Finally, here is what I think is the main idea of this text.  We should thank God for second chances.  We are all need of second chances, and Peter was no different. 

 

We sometimes are hard on Peter for denying Christ on these three occasions, yet many of us deny Christ every day when we refuse to be obedient or refuse to speak up or out about Jesus.  Peter got a second chance and was restored in John 21, and we know that he was a primary leader and preacher in the book of Acts as Christianity spread around the world. 

 

I need second chances as a husband and father and pastor.  You need second chances in the same way.  We all should thank God for second chances.

 

Initiation

Our invitation today is for you to become a follower of Christ.  It will not be an easy life.  As a matter of fact, it will probably cause you much pain and injustice, but it will also mean forgiveness of all sins, heaven and eternal life, and peace with God.  Will you call on the name of the Lord today and be saved?

 

Our invitation is also for you, as a follower of Christ, to leave your hypocrisy.  Would you confess your sins today and repent and commit to be the same person in private that you are in public?  There needs to be no more living one way on Sunday morning and living another way the rest of the week.

 

Finally, our invitation is for you to hear the words, “I forgive you.”  Jesus forgave Peter.  Jesus can forgive you.