The power of guilt...

Matthew 27:3-5 Then Judas, who had betrayed him, regretted what had happened when he saw that Jesus was condemned. He brought the 30 pieces of silver back to the high priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.”But they replied, “What do we care? Attend to that yourself.” Then he flung the pieces of silver into the sanctuary, went outside, ran away, and hanged himself. 
Judas had made his choice - money over the master, stuff over the spiritual.  He had betrayed his truest Friend.  It brought overwhelming guilt.  But rather than go to the One he had offended most, he went to those who were accomplices with him, and they could not forgive; they would not forgive.  This added anger to his guilt the resulted in the greatest self-destruction.   Oh, the power of guilt that God is willing and able to overcome, if we will turn to him, and not depend on ourselves.

Railroaded Justice

Matthew 27:1-2 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor. 
These leaders had not even slept a full night on their decision.  They came back to figure out how to get Jesus dead that day.  They had to get Roman approval to do so, and they deliver Him to Pilate as if they were doing him a favor, having captured some dangerous criminal.  Though it seems almost unbelievable that they would do so, the same kinds of things often happen today.  We often judge others ahead of time and want them to pay.  Not that we personally have been harmed, (thought that may be exactly the problem - we were offended), but more often if the other person looks bad, we can "feel better" about ourselves.  Jesus had made these leaders look pretty lame, even untrustworthy. They wanted to look and feel better about themselves, even if that meant denying the truth.  Which is more important to you: your feelings or the truth?

Going down... Steps two and three...

 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
(Matthew 26:71-75 ESV)
Having played dumb, Peter has set himself up for the successive traps of failure.  Rather than admitting his error, his sin, he digs in to demand he is telling the truth. His resolve to not abandon his Lord has now become resolve to not admit his guilt.  When challenged on this, he seeks to remove all doubt, with cursing and stronger anger - surefire ways in our society to try to convince people of our "sincerity".  The people were not fooled; neither was the rooster.  And thus Peter brought great sorrow to himself and his Master.  How much sorrow will we bring today by our own stubborn sin?

Going Down, step one...

Matthew 26:69-70 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 
Peter had vowed fidelity vehemently.  Though he was as cowardly as the others, at least he tagged along to see what would happen.  But he had hoped to blend in with the crowd.  Then she saw him.  This first incinuation that he was "one of them" is met with playing dumb, feigning ignorance, acting as if "I have no idea what you are talking about."  It is the first step down - not actually "lying" or denying, just plain dumb.  Like any of our failures, it sets us up for a series of successive sins.  Let's avoid all these poor "first steps" today.

Blasphemy or Truth?

Matthew 26:65-68 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?” 
The capital crime of which the Sanhedrin convicted Jesus was blasphemy - the ultimate irreverence toward God.  Their accusations were true, unless what He said was true - the He was God the Son, the Messiah, with authority not only here on earth, to drive scum out of the temple, but also authority in heaven - to sit at God's right hand, to rule, and to judge.  He indeed was innocent, because He was being totally truthful.  His claims on us will only seem to be the highest insult to our intelligence and humanity if we fail to realize He is all He says He is.

The Confession

Matthew 26:62-64 And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 
During this interrogation by the High Priest, Jesus is being badgered to make a confession - to say something that will be evidence of a capital crime, worthy of death.  But Jesus didn't have to brag. He waits until someone finally gets the facts straight.  Then He comments: "You've got it! I am the Messiah!"  That is all the evidence they need, but He does not stop there. He realizes that what He means by that, and what His accusers mean by that are two different things.  Since He is the Messiah, His current situation, being bound and abused, is only temporary.  He will show His authority, at the right hand of God, and then in Judgment.  They will indeed be able to see that He is the King.

Twisted Testimony...

Matthew 26:57-61 He said to him, “You have said so.” Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” 
The Sanhedrin did all they could to find two witnesses to agree, but were having trouble finding anyone who could tell the truth.  Finally, they found two to agree, but with a twisted view of what Jesus had said.  He had said "(You)" tear down this temple and in three days I will rebuild it."  He did so foretelling what they would do to Him, not what He would do to the temple building.  But of course, they had no comprehension of what He was saying; their eyes were blinded.  That's where we often get into trouble - the connection between our eyes and ears and our mouths.  What goes in gets all twisted, and what comes out is only a semblance of the truth.  May we listen with believing hearts and see with the eyes of faith, so we can give a true testimony of what God has really said.