1. Before the trials started Jesus was arrested.
2. Mt. 26:47 says a “great multitude” came to arrest the Lord.
3. How many people are in a “great crowd?”
4. Many believe that 500-600 people were sent to arrest the Lord.
5. Imagine a police force that is tasked to capture a single man.
6. They are told where they man is and 500 officers go to that persons’ house.
7. Jesus’ trials began with some Jewish officials.
8. Jesus went to Annas, Jn. 18:12-14.
9. Annas had been appointed as high priest, but corruption had ousted him from office.

10.  People began to spit on Jesus.  He was hit.

11.  Mt. 26:67-68 – READ

12.  Along with the spitting there is hitting.  People used their palms to strike the Lord.

13.  Jesus was also blindfolded (Mk. 14:65), and people used this blindfold to mock Him.

14.  Jesus appeared before Annas, Caiaphas, and then the Sanhedrin, Mt. 27:1-2.

15.  The Bible says “many” false witnesses came forward to accuse Jesus (Mk. 14:56).

16.  Have we ever been accused of something we did not do?

17.  False accusations are no fun and Jesus knows exactly what this is like.

18.  People also twisted the Lord’s word (Mk. 14:58).

19.  After these three Jewish trials, there were three Roman trials.

20.  Jesus appeared before Pilate (Jn. 18:28-38), then Herod (Lk. 23:6-12) and then again before Pilate.

21.  Jesus appeared before Pilate “the next morning” (Mt. 27:1-2).

22.  John said it was “early” (Jn. 18:28).

23.  Jn. 18:31 – READ

24.  Pilate sent Jesus to Herod.

25.  Lk. 23:8 says Herod wanted to see Jesus perform a miracle.

26.  Jesus would not perform for Herod so this official and his men mocked Him.

27.  Lk. 23:11-12 – READ

28.  This was also the time when the crown of thorns was beaten into Jesus’ head, Mk. 15:17.

29.  After Herod had finished with the Lord, Jesus was sent back to Pilate.

30.  This began the sixth trial which is found in Lk. 23:14-16 – READ

31.  Pilate said he could find no fault with Jesus.

32.  Pilate made other attempts to free the Lord (Jn. 19:4-5).

33.  In the end the people would not be swayed – they wanted Jesus to be crucified.

34.  Eventually the people said “His blood be on us and our children” (Mt. 27:25).

35.  It was not long before Jesus died on the cross. 

36.  We need salvation from sin and Jesus provides that through His death.

37.  Jesus also provides so much more.

38.  His trials show that He can understand the things we go through in life.

Legal poll: Take this “legal survey” and let others know what you think about the U.S. legal system:

“What happened?”

“I came across two guys down by the canal, one of them was drinking battery acid and the other was eating fireworks.”

“Drinking battery acid and eating fireworks!! What did you do with them?”

“I charged one and let the other one off.”

Spiritually speaking, those of us who are Christians have been both “charged” and “let off.” We are charged with sin (and rightfully so, for we are guilty). “For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.” (Rom. 3:9)

But, those of us who are Christians who have put on Christ have also been “let off” because Jesus Christ has paid the price for our sins. We have been justified, “just as if I’d” never sinned. “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13:38-39)

To be charged is a frightful thing (those of you who have received tickets can vouch for that). To have a judge say, “I find you guilty, but I’m going to pay the fine for you” is inconceivable. Yet, that’s exactly what has happened! May our lives demonstrate the gratitude we feel.

Alan Smith