Read Matthew 26:57–75
Questions from the Scripture text: Where did they lead Jesus (Matthew 26:57)? Who were already assembled there? Who followed, in what manner (Matthew 26:58)? What did he do? What three parties sought what (Matthew 26:59)? For what purpose? With what success (Matthew 26:60)? What charge did they get two false witnesses to make (Matthew 26:61)? What dos the high priest do and say in Matthew 26:62? How does Jesus respond (Matthew 26:63)? But then what does the high priest say? Now, how does Jesus respond (Matthew 26:64)? Whom does He confess to being? Whom does He say will witness this? Now how does the high priest respond (Matthew 26:65)? What does he say they no longer need? What verdict does he get from the council (Matthew 26:66)? What three things do they begin doing (Matthew 26:67)? What do they say (Matthew 26:68)? What is Peter doing during this time (Matthew 26:69)? Who comes to him? What does she say? How does he respond (Matthew 26:70)? Where does he go (Matthew 26:71)? Who sees him? What does she say? What is different about his response this time (Matthew 26:72)? Who come to him in Matthew 26:73? What do they say to him? On what basis? Now what is different in his response (Matthew 26:74)? Then what happens? And what does Peter remember (Matthew 26:75)? And how does he respond to that?
What does Jesus do in His trial? Matthew 26:57–75 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, at His trial, Jesus openly confesses Himself to be the Son of God, even as He was giving Himself to die for us.
The passage intentionally juxtaposes Jesus’s testimony and Peter’s, by beginning the story of the latter in Matthew 26:58, but then interrupting with Jesus’s part in Matthew 26:59-68.
Peter is willing to see it through to the end (Matthew 26:58), but his flesh is weak.
Jesus makes the good testimony, the good confession, as He later will before Pontius Pilate (cf. 1 Timothy 6:13). So long as they are attacking Him with false witnesses, He remains silent enough that the high priest is obviously distressed (Matthew 26:62). Even after his provocation, Jesus remains silent (Matthew 26:63a). But then, the high priest does something that ensures that Jesus will respond. He puts Jesus under oath by the living God (verse 63b). So, Jesus not only answers truthfully but fully (Matthew 26:64). He affirms that He is the Christ, the Son of God, but also that they will be witness to His literally fulfilling Daniel 7:13.
Peter is exactly the opposite. He collapses at the first query of a servant girl (Matthew 26:69-70). And, as others challenge him, he gets worse and worse, adding first one oath (Matthew 26:71-72), and then even cursing and swearing (Matthew 26:73-74). The detail of the rooster reminds Peter (and us) that this is exactly what Jesus had prophesied (Matthew 26:75). For Peter, coming to terms with the truth about himself is cause for bitter weeping. But the fear that provoked the denials did not materialize; Peter is not seized, tried, tortured, or mocked.
Jesus, the innocent One, is the One Who endures all of these things. The sham of the murder conspiracy that posed as a trial is further exposed by how quickly His sentencers (Matthew 26:66) become His abusers (Matthew 26:67-68). Like Peter, it is we who deserve to be humiliated, tortured, and mocked. For Him, it was infinite humiliation just to be a man; let alone an innocent man being tried by wicked men; let alone condemned and abused by them.
But this He did for us and our transgressions (Isaiah 53:3–11). He showed Himself to be the Son of God that He confessed Himself to be, and accomplished that self-sacrificing death by which He destroyed sin and death and him who had the power of death.
What did Jesus testify about Himself for you? What did He go through for you? What do you testify about Him?
Sample prayer: Lord, we adore You, eternal Son of God. We are astonished that You were abused and mocked and murdered for our sake. And even more astonished that You would suffer he wrath of God for us. Just as You gave the good confession about Yourself, give us to be always willing to confess You, we ask in Your Name, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP22A “My God, My God” or TPH341 “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed”
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