Dwelling Place

Guest (Male): Today on The Dwelling Place.

Al Pittman: Cuz the Lord said, if I've done any evil, then bring the witnesses, you know. If I've been an evil influence on society, then where are the witnesses? But the reality is that Jesus, wherever he is preached, wherever the gospel is proclaimed, wherever Christianity is upheld and the principles and standards of Christianity are upheld in the society, it elevates society.

Guest (Female): Dwelling place, dwelling place, dwelling place. You are my dwelling place, dwelling place, dwelling place.

Guest (Male): Thank you for listening to The Dwelling Place, a radio ministry from Pastor Al Pittman of Al Pittman Ministries. The purpose of this radio program is to encourage you, strengthen your walk with the Lord and grow. To support this program financially or learn more about the ministry, visit us online at alpittmanministries.com. That's alpittmanministries.com. Thank you for partnering with us. Now, here's Pastor Al.

Al Pittman: If you have a Bible, please turn to John chapter 18 as we will finish chapter 18 today and uh stay focused upon God's word. Amen. This is a message that I started last week. If you weren't here last week, it's entitled Trials, The Trial of the Ages, and this is part two of that message and again we will finish it today. We'll be looking at verses 15 to 40 in John chapter 18. Now, as we continue to look at this and I emphasize illegal trial of Jesus Christ and kind of made that case last week, I've divided the remainder of the message up into three parts, the denial, the death of the the denial, the death and the debate, and we'll look at those today.

First, we come to the denial portion of the trial of the Lord Jesus. Found in verses 15 to 24, uh we know that Jesus is taken from the house of Annas. Annas was the former high priest there in Jerusalem and brought to the house of Caiaphas, Caiaphas being the high priest that particular year when Christ was crucified. And um but here we find in verses 15 to 24 the denial. And what denial? Well, the the denial of the apostle Peter. And we know very well Peter denied the Lord three times just as Jesus said he would.

So, let's begin reading here in verse 15, John chapter 18. It says, and Simon Peter followed Jesus and so did another disciple. Now, that disciple was known to the high priest and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door outside then the other disciple who was known to the high priest went out and spoke to her who kept the door and brought Peter in. So, this other disciple uh you know, it doesn't give us the name of the person, but I I believe it is Nicodemus that he's speaking of here.

Nicodemus was the high or the religious man, the priest that came to Jesus at night and uh on the down low, so to speak. And um and asked Jesus uh about his message and and about life and Jesus told him that told his religious man, you must be born again. You must be born again. And so you find the conversation at all in John chapter three. So, I believe this is Nicodemus who was familiar with uh Annas, the former high priest. And um verse 17 tells us that the girl, the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, you you are not also one of this man's disciples, are you?

Speaking of Jesus, you're not one of his disciples, are you? And Peter said, I am not. That was his first denial. Now, the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there for it was cold and they warmed themselves and Peter stood with them and warmed himself. The high priest then asked Jesus about his disciples and his doctrine and Jesus answered him, I spoke openly to the world, Jesus said. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple where the Jews always met and in secret I have said nothing. Why do you ask me?

Ask those who who have heard me what I said to them. Indeed, they know what I said. And when he had said this these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand saying, do you answer the high priest like that? Jesus answered him, if I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil. But if well, why do you strike me? Then Annas sent him, that is Jesus, bound to Caiaphas, the high priest. Now, the high priest, I believe referred to here in verse 19 is probably Annas, the former high priest, or a priest of the elite aristocracy, a religious aristocracy there in Jerusalem.

But Jesus answers the uh uh the answer that he gave to the high priest when he inquired about this disciples and his doctrine, he said, you know what? I've hidden nothing. There's no shame in my game, so to speak. You know, my life was open. I've spoken in synagogues. I've spoken in temples. Bring the witnesses forth as the law of Leviticus tells you. Bring forth witnesses, you know, that will uh be in my defense. And of course, we saw last week where Jesus was given no defense. And they didn't like his answer, so he was slapped by a someone standing nearby, a servant of the high priest and uh and uh he rebuked Jesus and yet Jesus said, if I've spoken evil, then then let me know what evil that I've spoken.

But if not, why do you strike me? I love the fact here too before we move on to the next point. This is of course the denial uh but um is that Jesus doesn't take the bait. What do I mean by that? He doesn't take the bait of you know, they wanted to to talk to him and argue about his disciples and his doctrine and Jesus said, listen, you don't know what I taught. You know, ask anybody. But the debate here is not about my disciples, it's about me. Because you can find fault in my disciples and we can sit down here and and argue about doctrine, but the reality is that I'm the one under examination.

And it reminds me of the fact a lot of times people will have excuses why they will not come to church or do not come to church or have not come to church because they can find fault in the church and find fault in Jesus' disciples. But the disciples, the church is not the one under examination. Jesus is and there's no fault in him. And we can no longer use the church or someone that hurt me years ago or whatever as an excuse to not follow the Lord. Because the one on trial here is not the church, it is Jesus Christ.

And he's worthy of our praise regardless of how someone may have treated you. He's worthy of our praise regardless of what people said about you. He's still worthy. Amen. Another thing I noticed here is that Jesus lived his life openly before all. And he calls us as Christians to all live our lives openly before all as well to be light to the world. I know I've heard people say sometimes you ask them about their their walk in the Lord or do they know Jesus or Jesus and they'll say something like, well, my faith is private.

I have a private faith. It's a personal It's too private. I don't talk about It's a private thing. No, it's not. Not in Christ. It's not private. It's very public. In fact, Jesus said this in Matthew chapter five. He said, you are the light of the world, speaking to his disciples. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden, nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand for all to see. And it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

God calls us to a very public relationship with him. Not some private thing hidden, Christ incognito, you know. But to live it openly before others and Jesus is saying to this religious leader, you know, I live my life openly. I have nothing to hide. The question that the Lord posed in verse 23 still asking today, why do you strike me? Cuz the Lord said, if I've done any evil, then bring the witnesses, you know. If I've been an evil influence on society, then where are the witnesses? But the reality is that Jesus, wherever he is preached, wherever the gospel is proclaimed, wherever Christianity is upheld and the principles and standards of Christianity are upheld in the society, it elevates society.

It does the society no harm. In fact, I would say this that that that Jesus was the first women's liberator. Amen. Because wherever you see women that are oppressed when Christianity comes in, they're liberated. Yes, even Islam oppresses women. And other religions oppress women, but where Jesus Christ is proclaimed, the gospel is proclaimed, women the status of women is always elevated. He is liberated not only our souls, he's liberated women in in societies. He is the liberator. And Jesus is saying, if I've done society evil, then bring your witnesses. But there were no witnesses. And so he asked the question, why do you strike me?

Why do we strike him? Why do the world reject him so? Why do people hate him so? Well, Jesus tells us why. John chapter three verses 18 to 21, he said, men love darkness rather than the light. For their deeds were evil and they rejected Christ. Men love darkness rather than the light. That's why we strike him. That's why we don't want anything to do with Jesus. That's why his words are offensive to us as his words were offensive to those listening when he was on trial here and the man reaches up and slaps him.

Because their deeds are evil, they don't want to be exposed. In verses 40 uh 24, I'm sorry, verses 24 to 27 we continue and we see here Peter's second and third denial. Verse 25 says, now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore, uh they said to him, you are not also one of his disciples, are you? And he denied it and said, I am not. Second denial. One of the servants of the high priest, a relative, listen, of him whose ear Peter cut off. Your carnal deeds will come back to haunt you. He said to him, did I not see you in the garden with him?

And Peter denied again and immediately the rooster crowed. I like Paul, I mean uh Mark's uh account of Peter's denial that adds a little bit more color to what happened that night. Gives a little bit more detail. If you'll turn with me to Mark chapter 14 beginning at verse 66. Mark 14 verse 66, listen to Mark's account. Mark says now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest said or came and when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, you also were with Jesus of Nazareth.

And he denied it saying, I neither know nor understand what you're saying. I don't know what you're talking about. And he went out to the porch and the rooster crowed. And the servant girl saw him again and began to say to those who stood by, this is one of them. But he denied it. And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, surely you are one of them for you are a Galilean and your speech shows it, you know. So, the way he had a uh way they would say things or talk in in around the region of Galilee that wasn't the same, you know, didn't wasn't the way people would talk to and all up around Jerusalem.

For instance, if we you know, we met someone who had a southern drawl, you knew they're probably from you know, East Texas or or down south or something like that or if they're from New York, you know, and they got the New York accent going on. You know, they're not from Pueblo. Amen. So, you know what I mean? You you just know that you're not from around here, are you? So, they said your accent gives you away. And the Bible says in verse 71, then he began to curse and to swear. I do not know this man of whom you speak.

A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times. And he went and when he thought, excuse me about it, he wept. Oh, the path of the backslidden heart. How we start warming ourselves at the fire of the world. And people go, aren't you with him? And out of the fear of man, we began to curse and to swear. I don't know him because of the fear of man. Don't be too hard on Peter. How many times have we maybe have denied him in the same spirit?

In chapter 14 of Mark verses 29 to 31 did all the disciples said that they would be faithful to Jesus, not just Peter but all of them. Just like many of us. Verse 29 of Mark 14 says Peter said to him said to Jesus, even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be I'll be faithful, Lord. And Jesus said to him, surely I say to you that today, even this night before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times. And Peter spoke even more vehemently. Wait a minute. You don't know me like that, Lord.

I I have you know, I I if I have to die for you, I will not deny you. And they all said likewise, yeah, me too. How many times have we said, yeah, me too? Only to find ourselves saying, I don't even know the man or at least acting like it. Yet the Lord remains faithful to us. Aren't you glad that the faithfulness of God is not based upon our performance? He remains faithful. Paul says in Romans chapter three verse four, indeed, let God be true and every man a liar. I've learned down through the years if you've been around the church for a long time, you know this.

People are just as flaky as you are. Amen. People are just as flaky as I am. And even though they have good intentions, oh, I will always be there. I will they're not. And I've learned that let God be true and every man a liar. Cuz only God is faithful. And even though the disciples and all were had a lot of zeal at the time, they they failed to be faithful. In fact, they were refuting the word of Jesus when you think about it. Jesus said, you going to let me down? He said, no, we're not.

Let God be true and every man a liar. Even though the Lord knew their heart, yet he still loved them. Just as he knows our hearts and yet he still loves us. Kind of as a sidebar here, draw your attention to the fact that Mark says that Jesus said before the roosters crowed crowed twice, the other disciples uh uh uh accounts of the gospel in the gospels, the other gospels say that Jesus said before the roosters crowed, once you will deny me. Sounds like a contradiction, but it's not. The rooster would crow actually twice. Run one time around 12:30 a.m.

when nobody would hear him crow cuz everybody's asleep. But the rooster crowing that Jesus alluded to and the other gospels the other gospels recorded was the crowing of the rooster before dawn. So, the rooster would crow at 12 around 12:30 a.m. And then the rooster would crow just right before dawn. And that's the when Jesus said, you will have denied me three times. Mark just makes the point that the rooster crowed twice. And he does crow twice, but when he crowed that just before the dawn, as we see here at the moment verse 28 that it was just before the dawn, that's when Peter was reminded what Jesus said and he ran out and he wept bitterly.

In verses 28 we go back here to John chapter 18. Peter hearing the rooster crow goes out and we and John tells us what time of the morning it was when this happened cuz he says in verse 28, then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the praetorium. And it was early morning, that's at dawn. But they themselves did not go into the praetorium because they should be uh unless they should be defiled. But uh that they might eat the Passover. Pilot then came out to them and said, what accusations uh do you bring against this man?

And they answered and said to him, if we if he were not an evil door, we would not have delivered him up to you. In other words, if he wasn't an evil person, we wouldn't deliver him up to you. You know, what do you think we're here for, Pilot? And Pilot said to them, you take him and you judge him according to your law. And therefore the Jews said to him, it is not lawful for us to put anyone to death. That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which he spoke signifying by what death he would die.

So, now we come to the death, from the denial to the death. Just a few explanations here. The praetorium and many of you Bible students know this is old hat for you, but the praetorium um was a judgment hall or a courtyard that existed was connected to the the uh residence of the Roman governor who at this time is Pilot there in Jerusalem. It was on the north west side of the Temple Mount uh on the north west side of the uh the the Temple Mount, the north west side of the city. It was in close proximity to the Temple Mount.

The reason why is because there the praetorium uh which was also called the Antonio Fortress um they housed the praetorium guard. Praetorium guard were elite Roman troops. And they had kept them there because just in case things got out of hand on the in the Temple court area or whatever uh they could send the Romans in to to put down any riot or or whatever uh might flare up especially around the time of Passover, Jewish Passover Passover. The going to Pilot early in the morning is significant because uh Roman officials uh usually started public hearings very early in the morning.

This is really early in the morning. I mean Pilot hadn't had his coffee yet, his latte or anything. I mean this is but he was used to that because they would deal with folks uh whole public office uh early in the morning like that. And um uh but it gives us an idea uh look inside into the hatred these they had for Jesus because they wanted to get rid of Jesus first thing in the morning. First thing on their bucket list for that day was to kill Jesus, to get rid of him. The Jews did not go into the courtyard of the praetorium.

So, in between the Temple Mount and and the uh Antonio Fortress was an area where they could stand, talk to Pilot. Pilot would come out and talk to them. But when he went back in on the in in the inner court was the praetorium. That's where Jesus was and he would talk to Jesus as we'll see here in a moment, but he would come back out and talk to them. They wouldn't enter in because according to Leviticus chapter 15, they did not want to want to to defile themselves because they believed and what they did is they actually took Leviticus 15 about the laws of purification and they took them to the extreme.

And they believed that if they would touch a Gentile, they would be defiled. And so it's kind of a perversion of what God meant. He was talking about purification and of course they went to the extreme and and you know and all of that. But that's why they didn't go into the praetorium because they thought if I go in if we go in, we will not will be defiled and we will not be able to partake of the Passover. Some of you may be ahead of me and say, wait a minute, didn't Jesus just eat the Passover Thursday night?

Well, he did. And the reason why they have not eaten the Passover themselves because they were obsessed with Jesus to kill him. The Jewish leaders in that day according to Josephus and and some others uh record that they had actually given the people permission to extend the Passover celebration beginning Thursday night all the way until Friday. And why is that? Because of the immense number of lambs that had to be slaughtered. Remember Jerusalem ballooned, exploded to a probably was a city of maybe around 100,000 there about and exploded to a city of about a million people around Passover.

And one report I read and and one account I read uh estimated the number of lambs that would needed to be slaughtered, one lamb maybe for every 10 people was 256,500 lambs. So, it wasn't like they were all slaughtered and they were they just kind of sit down and say grace and eat, you know. It wasn't all kind of an all day event and it took a long time. So, they didn't have to eat it that night. They could eat it going into Friday if they wanted to. So, they had not partaken of the Passover lamb at this particular time.

And if you know many of you know this already, but the Jewish day does not start in the morning like ours day our days do. The Jewish day starts at sundown at night. So, remember when Jesus was on the cross, they took him down. Why? Because the Sabbath was starting. And when does the Sabbath start? Saturday morning? No. Friday night sundown. So, they were you know, they hadn't even partaken of the the uh the Passovers to point. And so that's what he's alluding to here when they say we don't want to defile ourselves. We're not even going to the praetorium cuz we might touch a Gentile and get the cooties.

Gentile cooties. And so we don't want to defile ourselves cuz we need to go eat the Passover anyway. And verses 31 to 32 then Pilot said to them, you take him and you judge him and according to law and said, well, we can't we can't kill him cuz it was against Roman law for the Jews to carry out any execution. So, we're bringing him to you. They weren't bringing him cuz Pilot thought, if you want to punish the guy, go punish him according to your law, you know, whipping or whatever. You know, he said, no, we're not here to punish Jesus, we're here to kill him.

Guest (Female): Dwelling place, dwelling place, dwelling place. You are my dwelling place, dwelling place, dwelling place.

Guest (Male): Learn more about Pastor Al and his ministry by visiting alpittmanministries.com. Also, consider supporting us financially. You can send a check to Al Pittman Ministries at P.O. Box 505 84 Colorado Springs, Colorado 80949 or visit us online. Thank you for your prayers and your support. Your generosity keeps this radio ministry going. Lastly, we would love to hear from you. You can contact us by emailing info@alpittmanministries.com. That's info@alpittmanministries.com. We look forward to hearing from you. Again, thank you for joining us and we'll see you next time on The Dwelling Place. God bless.