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Illegal Trial of Jesus
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the lowest of humankind. Through the open court Jesus was taken
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to the guardroom, on every side meeting with mockery of His claim
to be the Son of God. His own words, “coming in the clouds of
heaven,” were jeeringly repeated. While in the guardroom awaiting
His legal trial, Jesus was not protected, and the ignorant rabble took
license to manifest all the satanic elements of their nature. Christ’s
godlike bearing goaded them to madness. Mercy and justice were
trampled upon. Never was a criminal treated in so inhuman a manner
as was the Son of God.
But the blow that inflicted the deepest pain no enemy’s hand
could have dealt. While He was undergoing the examination before
Caiaphas, Christ had been denied by one of His own disciples.
Peter and John had ventured to follow at a distance the mob that
had Jesus in charge. The priests recognized John and admitted him
to the hall, hoping that as he witnessed the humiliation of his Leader,
he would scorn the idea of such a one being the Son of God. John
spoke in favor of Peter, and gained an entrance for him also.
In the court a fire had been kindled, for it was cold, being just
before dawn. A company drew about the fire, and Peter presump-
tuously took his place with them. By mingling with the crowd, he
hoped to be taken for one of those who had brought Jesus to the hall.
Peter Fails
But the woman who kept the door cast a searching glance on
him. She marked the dejection on his face, and thought he might
be a disciple of Jesus. Curious to know, she asked, “Art not thou
also one of this Man’s disciples?” Peter was startled and confused;
he pretended not to understand. But she was persistent. Peter felt
compelled to answer, and said angrily, “Woman, I know Him not.”
This was the first denial, and immediately the cock crowed. In
assuming an air of indifference, Peter had become an easy prey to
temptation.
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Attention was called to him the second time, and he was charged
with being a follower of Jesus. Peter now declared with an oath, “I
do not know the man.” Another hour passed, when a near kinsman
of the man whose ear Peter had cut off asked him, “Did not I see
thee in the garden with Him?” “Surely thou art one of them: for