March 27
“The detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year,” John 18:12-13.
After Jesus was arrested at the gate of the Garden of Gethsemane, first he was led away to Annas, who had previously been appointed as the high priest by a Roman governor. Then, about nine years later, he was deposed by another Roman governor. However, he still held the title of high priest, just as presidents in our country retain the title and are addressed as Mr. President even when they are no longer in office.
Annas gave Jesus a preliminary hearing. He questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teachings. He tried to give the impression that he was deeply concerned about getting at the truth. To all of the high priest’s questions, Jesus responded, “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. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said,” John 18:20-21.
One of the officers who was standing by thought Jesus was insulting the high priest, and he hit Jesus with the palm of his hand. Jesus said, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike me?” John 18:23. Remember that Jesus could look every person in the eye and ask the soul-searching question, “Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?” John 8:46.
Really, Annas was only trying to kill time. It was in the early evening, and it would take some time to gather together the 71 members of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court. Of course, it was illegal to call a secret meeting of the Sanhedrin in the middle of the night. But during the whole trial of Jesus, there were not many who were concerned about what was legal or illegal.
Humbly, meekly, and patiently the Lord Jesus endured the smiting and the mockery that were heaped upon Him. The scene of the patient, suffering Savior to redeem sinners, such as we are, is spoken of by the apostle Peter: “This is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth’; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed,” 1 Peter 2:19-24.
Jesus endured all the mockery and suffering because He had taken upon Himself the sins of all people, and He was paying the price so that you and I could be declared forgiven. His humility and His patience paid the price for our sins of pride and impatience.
“Jesus, I will ponder now
On Thy holy Passion;
With Thy Spirit me endow
For such meditation.
Grant that I, in love and faith,
May the image cherish
Of Thy suff’ring, pain, and death,
That I may not perish.” Amen.