The Kangaroo Court (Part A)

Luther uniforms he knew they wanted to know if they would succeed or not only did not six.

Christ knew he was facing. He knew that they were going to do this to him. But again, not without his permission. John's gospel chapter 10 Jesus said no one takes it from me that is his life.

I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down and I power to take it up again. That is just what he did this since cross reference radio with our pastor and teacher Rick Gaston. Rick is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville. Pastor Rick is currently teaching through the gospel of Mark. Please stay with us after today's message to hear more information about cross reference radio. Specifically, you can get a free copy of this teaching, but for now, here's Pastor Rick in Mark chapter 14 as he begins his message the kangaroo court. Please open to the gospel according to Mark chapter 14 versus 53 to 65. The gospel of Mark chapter 14 beginning in verse 53 and they led Jesus away to the high priest, and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders and the scribes, but Peter followed at a distance right into the courtyard of the high priest and he sat with the servants and warned himself at the fire chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but found none. For many bore false witness against him, but their testimonies did not agree. Then someone rose up, and bore false witness against him, saying, we heard him say all destroy this temple made with hands and within three days I will build another made without hands but not even then did their testimony agree in the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus saying do you answer nothing.

What is it these men testify against you, but he kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, saying to him, are you the Christ the son of the Blessed Jesus said I am in you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the power in the coming with the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest tore his clothes and said what further need. Do we have of witnesses you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think they all condemned him to be deserving of death, then some again to spit on him and to blindfold him and to beat him, and to say to him, prophesy, and the offices struck him with the palms of their hands. The kangaroo court doesn't need much of an introduction, verse 53 and they led Jesus away to the high priest, and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes and he was arrested without charge him it was no charge against him. They came to him in the garden of Gethsemane and days handcuffed him and took him away.

He first was taken to Annis who was the high priest according to the people of common on that in a moment, but John gives us a little bit more information in his gospel. Chapter 18 and the detachment of troops in the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him.

Then Annis sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priests. Caiaphas was actually the son-in-law of Annis. He was Rome's appointment to be the high priest is robust political. Annis was considered the high priest by the people in the two got along very well. They were what we would say in cahoots with each other. So all of this was corrupt. They were corrupt men. They were greedy men. Very political very powerful and very wealthy. They were united in their persecution of the Christ mark like the other gospel writers does not give us a comprehensive account of the arrest of the trial do for that we have to take the four Gospels together and and and put them together.

We get so much more information that way. God is designed that way for good reason. Our Lord on this night suffered three trials on the Jews and three from the Gentiles, they were just shuffling him from trial to trial while while inflicting physical harm on him at the same time. This will account for so you physically speaking why he was just a little dehydrated by the time he addicted to take the cross, take up the cross of Calvary will first as I mentioned, was his hearing with Annis within sent him to Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin. That was the first hearing by morning time.

They will meet again the Sanhedrin with Caiaphas, overseeing it, and then they will deliver their final verdict in between all this was the meeting with Pilate and then will after action not in between. And then came the meeting with Gerard which was the most profound meaning meeting of them all, at least in my opinion because of all those who ask him questions. Gerard was the only one that Jesus did not respond to. He did not answer his questions. He is the only man in the Bible that Jesus Christ totally ignored and I think that's quite profound and then finally from Herat he would go back to Pilate for the final sentencing and then they would carry out the crucifixion in verse 54 but Peter followed him at a distance right into the courtyard of the high priest and he sat with the servants and warned himself at the fire now. My view of Peter and his reaction to the arrest and the trials of Christ differ with most if not all commentators on this. I do not see Peter as a coward at all.

I see him as frightened from time to time when more confused to know what to do this the man that was ready to pounce on the enemies of Christ, and Christ called them down and after that, you know what you do you want to obey the Lord, but you also want to defend him.

You've already made this post that you would never leave him be loyal to the end and then you you as the prophet Zechariah said they were all scattered became an everyman for them self kind of deal.

And yet John and Peter connect again shortly after and John gets Peter into the courtyard because it is very likely that these two men who were fishermen in business together had the high priest or someone there at the at the group in the courtyard as their customers to sell them fish that would explain why John has this access well. Here is Peter at the private residence in the courtyard of the high priest, and this is around the temple.

It's a cold night and he's putting himself in harm's way.

Still, he's taking a risk by being that we don't read of the other apostles or their idle hideout mode at this time, but Peter just couldn't help being as near to his Lord as he could get is trying to work through this. And for those of you have not been following us through this and those who have me to be redundant in saying this, that, but these men never saw Jesus fail they never saw him back in town.

They just saw him do miracles always in control.

Now all of a sudden he sees cuffed he sees him in custody and their bewildered. Did you know we can understand it mentally. But to be there, how intense it was because they weren't connecting the prophecies of the ancient prophets with what was going on, at least not yet. So here is he's hanging around the servants of the Lord's enemies because he again he can help in social John Kiki gives us a little bit more information but Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciples who was known to the high priest opposed to see that he stopped John's talking about himself.

He was known to the high priest is likely the high priest is like a customer of John and selling fish continuing on, he was known to the high priest you went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in.

Now the servants I'm in John's Gospel chapter 18. Now I'm in verse 18 of John 18 now the servants and officers had made a fire of coal stood there for. It was cold and they warmed themselves and Peter stood with them and warned himself now. Simon stood and warned himself. Verse 25. So there's Peter in the courtyard but out of John's account. There's this repeated phrase three times we get it and I think it's it's it's it's intentional, of course, by the Holy Spirit to preserve this for us see it in the text and if you don't see it as pointed out, maybe you appreciated all verse 18 of Johnny verse 16 of John 18 Peter stood and then verse 18 Peter stood in verse 25. Peter stood side by mistake.

It's it, here's the man he still stands with Christ.

Unique can do nothing at this point he doesn't know what to do, is hoping something will develop, but he has to be close to Jesus. I think every believer can understand not knowing what to do incapable of rescuing his Lord yet ready to act if the Lord said, Peter, get them would've been instant without hesitation, and always know he's no coward is confused very serious waiting.

This sort of confusion.

All confusion weakens us to some degree, this really Peter did know he was out of his element. He wasn't ready for anything like this, we come to these situations from time to time in life, especially when we think were going to be strong and we find out we're far weaker than what we fought and had hoped to be and that is part of where he is. Verse 55 now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but found none.

Surprise, they couldn't find a reason to kill him.

We know who these boys are. This is abysmal wickedness. These men were supposed to be those who upheld righteousness in the large truth have zero interest in any of that they hate him so much.

Isaiah said he is despised, despised and rejected, they'll find something to charge him with you know that's what makes us nervous around sometimes about the policeman's following you on the road I get away from me. True story one I'm going home from church in my gas pedal gets a little stuck. So the it's it's cruising about. Okay, nine, 10 miles over the speed may be little more. I don't want to bother looking your trust my truck anyway. This is car following me I change lanes they change lanes. I speed up they speed up my slaughter is finally after about 10 minutes of this almost blue lights come on man sky.

Give me the blues. I can't believe it. So I pull over and is it you know state trooper and they've you know you know you you were speeding you doing this and I'm not admitting to anything. Not that I'm not ma'am cooperating.

I said well I know you were. I change lanes you change lanes and why you following me. I guess the trooper were single court that's going to look bad for me I am not sure but they let me just gave me a one okay don't do it again and I said okay. The rule is you way for them to leave first cousin was differently.

They can clock you kidding anyway. I don't know why I'm telling the story.

It has something to do with also me all they wanted to find a charge on him and in time one would surface. They were sure of this and of course you know being followed by law enforcement. You get a little nervous because they might find a charge on you anyway.

The Old Testament law which these men were supposed to be dedicated to uphold required at least two witnesses against the accused before they could condemn them to death little habitude, then I one witness they going to keep at it on thick, are they not verse 56 it continues for many bore false witness against him, but their testimonies did not agree why, why did they bear false witness against what he do any of these people human beings so messed up by sin again intentional for many bore witness not just a couple of you many many liars eager to tell their lives at his expense. They had everything to gain favor with the court, who wouldn't want that, there are still many bearing false witness against Christ he ever be around someone that thinks they know who Christ is what he is about. They think they know the Bible is filled with contradictions and they just ready to do you know bear false witness against the true it is a have to admit it is a great pleasure with satisfaction to shoot them down but they often don't give you the chance. Well, not knowing what they were talking about did not stop them from talking about it, not caring what harm it would cause someone else and consider hey, maybe this man has a mother that loves him or in all of friends and here we are prosecuting him with lies. Proverbs who Paul before he Proverbs isn't it a little creepy that these righteous men knew where to find these guys will read in the book of acts that they did a similar thing against Paul. Nude men of the baser sort says the King James not the same men but others wanting to stop the gospel found some thugs to come against Paul. Proverbs 14 verse seven go from the presence of a foolish man, when you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge going around these guys will bring you down. I think is a good question for every question Christian event every Christian to ask themselves do I train the environment of joy in Christ and truth.

When I when I when I show up.

Is it incoming to know incoming or am I a blessing in all. Some Christians just say I don't know what they think what they just are always dragging their knuckles always sad making no effort to fight these things that we all have a reason to be said. We all have reasons to be to drag on knuckles from time to time but not drag others down with us and just a reminder because everything we are reading in Scripture is supposed to contribute to making us stronger servants of Jesus Christ. When I reading about these guys simply because we don't like them making these, will I making the conference rate is a real arm and because for the edification. That's what it's for, to build up the saints for the work of ministry, for the edification of the body of Christ. And so as we consider these characters we have to say the Lord let made this contribute to me contributing to your glory. These men were lying witnesses. We are supposed to be honorable and truthful witnesses, so they lined up they took their oats before God and then they took their shots with their fabricated testimonies against the one who healed their sick against the one who gave site to their blind who cleanse their lepers who fed the hungry multitudes who preached the truth of them that was life-changing.

And yet this is what they do. They come in the turn against him, evil is energetic. It has a lot of energy and it likes to spend that energy when it come from, only a lot of people don't believe this, a very real Satan that has the power to sway people.

John tells us that it is the holy John says in his first letter at the end. In chapter 5 the whole world is under the sway of the wicked one, and they don't even believe she loves.

Incidentally, but their testimonies did not agree. It says in verse 56 Christ rejected still can't agree on why they reject him, though they are in agreement, in their rejection.

They felt that in the midst of corruption these priest and these elders and the scribes and Pharisees disease.

These religious officials. They felt that they should at least have an appearance of justice which just makes the crime worse. Why not just hire assassins, why go to this kangaroo court because again they wanted that appearance meant so much to them felt that the witnesses should at least agree on something, but they could not wanted someone to help them lie even if it were with the diseased dignity again the work of Satan is serious stuff. We who believe know it full well so we pray we persevere. We look to be edified.

We study to show ourselves approved workers who do not need to be ashamed, what is that nose like what I didn't know what to say to the person well because you are studying is that the resort is adjusting all moment that you know you just couldn't get it did. The spirit was in blessing you and if it's well because I haven't been doing what I'm supposed to be doing and we have a sense of shame not not condemning Shane, but as when the Lord points these things out. You know what you should had that one is not doing it to destroy us is doing it to build us up to make us say yes Lord, that's not going to happen again, at least not easily, and that that is what it takes to go against the gates of hell. We got out gates to and we are supposed to prevail sometimes it doesn't seem like that, but it is that way anyway. There is no honor amongst thieves. Incidentally, I don't know who came up with that no honor among there is no one number give me a break. There up to no good all the time and there's no honor amongst these men because they are thieves just Jesus said my house a vehicle a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves. What is a den of thieves with the thieves go to County dilute that's what it den of thieves is after they rip you off and they they scurry to their hideout to divvy up their loot, well dirty reasons to have a clear conscience. That's what's going on with these guys that's good enough for them and that's why it is a kangaroo court is not just in the just hopping along doing damage to God the son.

Verse 57 there we don't lose sight for a reverse of dissent. We don't lose sight that you know well who who was the one that crucified Jesus was at the Romans was of the Jews was it me. Really, it was him in this sense, no one could crucify him without his permission. And then you begin to peel the layers back to that and that's what we love them so much. Anyway, verse 57 that's not the only reason why, but that is without that reason. Verse 57, then some rose up, and bore false witness against him, saying false witnesses polite way of saying then some liars stood up verse 58 we heard him say, I will destroy this temple made with hands and within three days I will I will build another made without hands.

They heard no such thing.

The lying is what Mark is telling us John's gospel chapter 2 is where what they're referencing.

Jesus answered and said to him, what sign do you show to us since you do these things Jesus answered and said to him for me. The Jews first answered. Now Jesus is answering destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up out of that out of Jesus comment destroy this temple in three days and I will raise it up. They get that he's going to destroy this temple which is of course not, what happened and so we understand that verse 59, but not even vented their testimony agree well once more.

There's never been a shortage of people who have had their facts jumbled up concerning the Christ. There conflicted in their words, but unanimous in their hostility they have the same disdain and disrespect for Christ.

There, the Lord stood listening to this gibberish.

How difficult it is to listen to somebody you know mouth off lies in and just gibberish is really difficult is it not even unbelievers understand that they go to a church and they hear Pastor preaching things from Scripture that they don't carefully get up and leave it on the listen to it. Sometimes a little otherwise, it will pins and needles all time waiting for an earthquake or someone to pull the fire alarm to get them out of there. Lord knew that they wanted to kill him and that they would kill him. He wasn't uncertain in any human being in any court, you know, take a historical figure such as Martin Luther, the deed of worms he knew they wanted to kill him.

Didn't know if they would succeed or not only did not succeed. Christ knew what he was facing. He knew that they were going to do this to him. But again, not without his permission. John's gospel chapter 10 Jesus said no one takes it from me that is his life.

I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down in our power to take it up again. Just like even do not do not, you must ask yourself, and you investigated many people continue to reject Christ. They refused to look into the evidence because maybe it might be moved.

Thanks for tuning in to cross reference radio for this study in the book of Mark cross reference radio is the teaching ministry of Pastor Rick Gaston of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville in Virginia to learn more information about this ministry. Visit our website cross reference radio.com what you there you'll find additional teachings from Pastor Rick.

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