The Great week
John 18:12-27
12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.
Peter’s First Denial
15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, 16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in. 17 “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.” 18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.
The High Priest Questions Jesus
19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.” 22 When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded. 23 “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” 24 Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Peter’s Second and Third Denials
25 Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.” 26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
Who has the right and power to judge Jesus, the Son of God? However, Here are men who are called, the high priest and even his father-in-law of the high priest, are doing it, instead of the true judge, God. The sinners are judging the most righteous and holiest man in the world. It seems nonsense, but it happened in reality. These days, we have seen something wrong in our society. Likewise, it was the most terrible and funniest judging throughout the human history.
At the same time, the other scene of Jesus' disciple, Peter's denial, shows that how we humans underestimate the weakness of flesh. He must have been afraid of being caught by the soldiers, though they didn't do anything wrong, except saying that Jesus was the Messiah and Christ who came to save the Israelites. In the opposite way, Peter could go to the judge with the other disciples and be with Jesus, proving the truth of what He had done with them as a Messiah and Christ.
If I were there, I think that I could have been with Jesus, which is overestimating my faith and ability beyond understanding. I have no idea of the culture and the law of the Israelites well, but I guess that they are too strict to break it easily. Anyhow, that culture and their stereotype of it came from God, who might want them to know the truth, but it was impossible for them to understand, so God used many kinds of laws, as a shadowing model. However, they believed that it was the real truth, and they still believe it until now.
It must have been playing the role of frame or prison of thought, and they only focused on the word, blasphemy, as Jesus Himself talked about Himself as the son of God, so they couldn't have the other point of view of what He had done to them and what He had proved Himself. What about me? I could have something like that, I mean, some kinds of frames through which I see and judge others at every moment. Otherwise, I must have fears like Peter, who was confident of his loyalty to Jesus, but he couldn't in reality.
This week is ceremonially kept as 'the Passion week' or 'Passion holy week', or 'the Great week', which is the last week before Jesus was about to be crucified on the cross. Looking through the appearance of disciples and the judging men, I am deep in thought of myself. What about me? That is the reason Jesus came to die on the cross. Salvation of me from all these kinds of foolishness and weaknesses. I admit this fact 100%.
