"HIGH PRIEST" Both Annas and Caiaphas are likely here in a preliminary investigation while the Sanhedrin is convening. If only Annas, it is easy to see his being called "high priest," as we respectfully address retired dignitaries by their former titles.

Jesus is now entering the first of many phases of His long, exhaustive, inquisitive ordeal. Annas, regarded religious leader, will follow traditional law in his formal inquiry as to: (1) this new Jewish teacher (Rabbi) and his doctrines, and (2) the identity of his disciples. Yet in Annas' already determined outcome, he fails to bring any disciple (pupil of this new teaching and teacher) for testimony against Jesus for His condemnation. On both points Jesus makes plain His defense: (1) He has taught openly and all have heard His sayings. He has neither hidden anything, nor has now anything to hide. How ludicrous it is for Annas to think that anyone would incriminate himself, surely knowing of the suspected outcome if found guilty of the heresy they seek to discover. And (2), there are no witnesses. Jesus so simply and clearly exposes Annas' inadequate and ill-conceived case against Him. Annas is silenced!

As is even today. One has only to think of their own personal encounters with closed-minded already determined individuals! Perhaps this officer, possibly being one of the earlier failed attempt in his discharge of orders, was now trying to redeem himself in the eyes of his superior. There is a modern day slang term for this, so I have heard. Whatever his reason, here was the first hostile hand ever laid upon the person of our Lord. Yes, Judas betrayed Him, but his was a kiss, and later died regretting it.

Notice that Jesus does not turn the other cheek, nor remain silent in this case. He met this undeserved insolence with the truthful disclosure: He has borne no guilt for this injurious treatment being inflicted upon Him. To which there was no argument, and so He is sent to Caiaphas, bound as a common criminal (as though these ties could hold Him).

All four gospels give the account of 3 denials with varying details without true conflict. John, our author, was eyewitness to the scene in the garden and had to rely upon no one's testimony. However, this scene in the courtyard outside the residence of the High Priest, in all likelihood, was not witnessed by John, nor one whom he could rely upon, save Peter himself, or someone through whom Peter gave witness. It is interesting to note, as biographies by close friends go, it is usually the case where accounts are glossed over when thought to cast the friend in a bad light. Not so here! Peter and John were inseparable before and after this tragic drama of his denial, yet a higher calling required full disclosure of these historical hours. Perhaps John, writing now after Peter's death (A.D.67 in Rome), felt it safe to disclose the identity of this disciple who could have been arrested for his crime in the garden. (Jerusalem fell in A.D.70 and this gospel written ca. A.D.85.)

The chill in Peter's soul, I am sure, far outweighed that of the night for which he sought warmth. Drained and weak emotionally from the tragic news from his closest companion that their earthly union was about to end, and together with the physical fear of being arrested for his brazen act just one hour earlier, left him prime for temptation. In this moment of weakness the maid's first question made it easy for him to say, NO! I AM NOT! Have we not all been there in respect to something or another? We should not be so quick to condemn this brother in his moment of physical exhaustion and spiritual weakness, as Christ did not. What brave soul among a thousand would have done differently, given the circumstances? Peter was deep within enemy territory, alone. This was the courtyard of Caiaphas, the chief political, religious, and legal figure of all Judaism. Quite a contrast to his ancient predecessors, Moses and Elijah, he had read about as a child and met on the Mount in a holy meeting with Christ. Unlike his present surroundings, that ground was sensed as holy and the figures he was most familiar with projected peace. This modern-day ruler instilled the opposite, fear, as he was currently experiencing with the leader he had chosen to follow now prisoner within. No, I dare say that one in a million would have felt no fear and done any less, if one at all.

The die has been cast, and it will run its course. Not once, nor twice, but 3 times, just as Jesus had predicted, even with the accompanying sign for verification of His prophesy just recently uttered and so soon fulfilled.

The pressure upon Peter was pressed to its maximum when an eyewitness to Peter's deed, a kinsman of the victim, recognized him as the one in the glow of the night fire. It was too much for Peter's soul to bear. As the curse of the final denial fell from his quivering lips, the third crow of the cock rang in his ears, but not as loud as the deafening echo of his Lord's previous words as they burst into his consciousness. Shamed in his own pathetic part played in deserting and denying his Friend, He must now seek solitude. It will haunt him through the next two days, but unlike Judas who failed to wait three days, something within tells him to hold on. All hope must not be gone! Jesus was just too real for it to end like this! Somewhere within there must have been an ember that kept him from following the tragic path of his companion of three years, as I am sure Satan most likely desired. And as we shall soon see, his darkest hour will dawn into his brightest day when he shall live to see the radiant face of his Resurrected Saviour!