Sermon nuggets Tues Nov 11
Theme- Jesus Trial
Verses- John 18:12-14 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.
14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people.(NIV)
The Hypocrisy of Religion
John makes more of Annas than the other Gospel accounts. In fact, Matthew, Mark and Luke deal mostly with the trial in Caiaphas’ courtyard. Perhaps John is personally present here at this one and maybe not at the trial before Caiaphas. But this might also show the power behind the religious scene in Israel at that time. Annas was the Father-in-law of Caiaphas. He served from 6 to 15 AD. The Romans appointed political high priest, and it was not uncommon for Jews to bribe the Romans with money to get certain positions and appointment. The hypocrisy at this point is paying money to hold an office that is to serve the Lord, not themselves for the Romans.
Annas was extremely wealthy. His household was extremely influential in the religious community. This is indicated first by the fact that the next 5 High priests after Annas were his sons, and then the 6th was Caiaphs, his Son-in-law. Annas was ultimately in control and had tremendous influence over this office. He was in charge of the temple concessions. So it seems John is showing the first place Jesus taken is bound before him.
Remember when Jesus upset the tables of the money changers and drove out the animals from the temple? Those in charge were not happy with Jesus for doing that. It was affecting their profit and pointing out their hypocrisy and thievery. It was the household of Annas that hired priests to examine the animals brought for sacrifice by the people. They examined the animals to see if they were appropriate to use. Guess what? Many did not pass the examination, and people were forced to get a animal that was conveniently provided in the concession stands owned and operated by Annas. You want a Kosher animal, these meet the requirement and incidentally they are 5 times more expensive than what you could get from a local shepherd. Does that surprise you?
Boy the first time I ever returned a rental car without filling it up I learned that lesson. You have to come with a full car of gas and conveniently we will fill it up for you, but at quite inflated prices. What a deal.
The temple money changing also became known popularly known as the Bazaar of Annas. The temple would not accept Roman or Greek money, but you could change it into the temple money and once again the exchange rate would profit the temple administration. The Jewish Talmud says ‘Woe to the house of Annas, woe to their servants house, they are high priests, they are the keepers of the treasury, Theirs sons-in-laws are guardians of the temple, and their servants beat the people with staffs” The Talmud expressed the feeling that many Jews also hated the household of Annas of the hypocrisy they brought to that office which was to be for worship of God and prayer.
Is it any wonder that Annas wanted to get Jesus? He and Caiaphas conspired to have Judas betray the Christ. It was arranged that the soldiers would first bring Jesus to Annas for questioning.
The religious leaders have become greatly distressed by the tremendous influence of this Galilean. Annas therefore questions Jesus about His disciples. He seems to care more about the number of those following Jesus than about the content of His teaching. If George Gallup had lived in those days, Annas would have employed him full-time as a pollster. Here was a man who cared a great deal about public opinion, not because he cared about what the people thought, but because he cared about his power and position John 11:48 “If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."
Religious hypocrisy of course is not a first century problem. It is a human problem. Satan sees to it that hypocrisy is exposed often with preacher, leaders, missionaries, deacons, elders, deaconesses, trustees of all sizes and shapes and denominations. Jesus warns leaders that their lives ought to be an example and will be judged for strictly for that very reason. It affects the whole church and testimony and body of Christ. God says, “Be holy even as I am holy” Don’t live like you used to. Now that you are saved and no longer under the power of sin or the condemnation of sin, live like it. Put into practice the things you know honor God and Gods spirit will help you.
There is no group that angered Jesus more than the Pharisees, teachers of the law, and hypocrites and the same would be true today. Those who claim to have answers than can point people to eternal freedom and teach godly truth are misleading others by their words or by their actions. Jesus said it would be better for a millstone to be tied around you neck and you be thrown into the sea than cause little ones who are open to Jesus be turned away.
Pastor Dale
