The sermon titled 'Jesus Before His Accusers' by David Green explores the events of Mark 14:53-65, where Jesus is brought before the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin, originally a biblically founded council for justice, had become corrupt by Jesus' time. Despite being innocent, Jesus faced false accusations and was condemned without a fair trial, revealing a significant miscarriage of justice. The sermon draws parallels between this historical event and modern instances of injustice, emphasizing that Jesus was the only truly innocent person. It highlights Jesus' composure and silence in the face of false accusations as a model for Christians. The sermon also explores the application of Mosaic law, which required multiple witnesses for capital punishment, and its relevance in contemporary Christian practices. Ultimately, it underscores that all events, including trials and injustices, are part of God's divine plan.

Chapter 14, we have come to worship our Lord. And we've been in the Gospel of Mark for a little bit here. And in Mark chapter 14, beginning of verse 53, beginning of verse 53 Going down to verse 65 They led Jesus away to the high priest. With him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest, and he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.

The chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death and found none. For many bear false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together. There arose certain and bare false witness against him, saying, We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. But neither so did their witness agree together. The high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing?

What is it which these witness against thee? But he held his peace and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? Jesus said, I am. And ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, coming in the clouds of heaven.

Then the high priest rent his clothes, and sayeth, What need we any further witness? You have heard the blasphemy, what think ye? They all condemned him to be guilty of death. Some began to spit on him and to cover his face, to buffet him, and to buffet him and to say unto him, prophesy, and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands. It is here in this text from which we take our message, and this is the Word of God.

It is absolutely terrible what Jesus went through while he was here on the earth. Sometimes we focus in on the hours upon the cross and that is indeed terrible. But let us remember this morning that it was more than that what he went through for us. I struggled to find a good title for this sermon this morning. Dr.

John McArthur called this sermon, this section here, the ultimate miscarriage of justice. Certainly we've seen some of that in our country. We've all seen the memes and the comparison and the outcry. People were upset at how Trump was treated. Some even compared Trump to Jesus and all of those things, which is borderline blasphemy, but those things were going on.

Indeed, there is in this Indeed, there is in this country and in other countries, there is injustice, There are people who get tried for crimes they did not commit. Of course, if you go into any jail or prison, everybody's innocent. Nobody did the crime for which they are incarcerated. But I submit to you today that the only truly innocent victim, the only truly innocent one was Jesus. When I was young, we used to get weapons.

We used to get spankings quite frequently. And I remember one time being spanked and I didn't feel I deserved it. And what I got told for, well then this was for something that you didn't get caught for. This was for something that I didn't see you doing. And obviously I didn't have an answer for that.

But the reality is that Jesus is the only sinless one who ever walked the earth. The title of my sermon is Jesus before his accusers. Jesus before his accusers. I could have called it Jesus before the Sanhedrin. And let us not forget that his accusers were the Sanhedrin.

This was not the Romans. This was not the pagans. This was the religious Jews of the day. And as we go through this, even though you and I are not Jesus, I believe that there is some application as well as we look at this. Indeed, right before I got sick, there was a conversation I had with a friend about some application in sermons.

And I had a lot of time to think about that because I've been sick a while and and so here we go and y'all pray for me today the cough does linger and Appreciate the prayers as I've been sick, But as we go through this we'll pull some application that I believe is good for us As we consider what Jesus went through that day The idea of the Sanhedrin was a biblical one. We see here in the text, Mark tells us exactly who these people were. He says, and as they led Jesus away, verse 53, to the high priest, with him were assembled all the chief priests the elders and the scribes The idea of the Sanhedrin as we see it in the New Testament was an idea that came all the way from Moses These these fellas they prided themselves in reading and studying the law. If you go back to Deuteronomy chapter 16, Deuteronomy chapter 16, We're going to do some flipping back to the Old Testament some so put your rib in there and mark and we'll go back to Deuteronomy for a little bit. And we'll go to some other places.

The old preacher said one time in Ohio, he your get your flipping finger ready Deuteronomy chapter 16 verses 18 through 20 judges and officers shout thou make thee in all thy gates, which the Lord thy God giveth thee throughout thy tribes, and they shall judge the people with just judgment thou shalt not rest Judgment thou shalt not respect persons neither take a gift for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise preferred the words of the righteous That which is altogether Just Shalt thou follow that thou mayst live and inherit the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." John MacArthur sheds some light on this very subject. He says throughout Israel's history, a concerted effort was made to uphold that divine imperative. Now by the time of Jesus' ministry during the first century, the Jewish people had developed a sophisticated system based on the principles outlined in the Mosaic Law. They prided themselves on maintaining a just and equitable society enforced by system of courts and judges. A local council or courts could be established in any town with at least 120 men who were heads of their household.

Each council known as a Sanhedrin provided legal governance to its community. These local councils were composed of 23 men, often drawn from the leadership of the synagogue. An odd number of council members ensured that whenever they voted on an issue or determined a verdict at a trial, there would always be a majority decision. The Supreme Court of Israel was located in Jerusalem and met daily in the Temple, except on the Sabbath and other holy days. Known as the Great Sanhedrin, it consisted of 71 members, including the high priest who presided over the council and representatives from the chief priests, elders, and scribes.

And so that's what we read about in Mark. Alternatively called the Council of Elders or the Senate of the Sons of Israel, the Great Sanhedrin was the most powerful Jewish legislative and judicial body. Though it had been founded on the principles established in the Mosaic Law, the Great San Hedron had become significantly corrupted both religiously and politically by the time of Christ. And that's what Jesus was facing. What Jesus was facing.

In fact, over in John chapter 11, just to get an idea of what was going on as we compare the other gospels here over in beginning of verse 47 going down to verse 50. Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees of council and said, What do we? For this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him, and the Romans shall come and take away our place in nation and One of them named Cephas being the high priest that same year said unto them, you know nothing at all, nor consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people and that the whole nation perish not. And so he had already been given the death penalty before the trial had even happened.

And so if we were to put this all in human terms and look at this from the human perspective, we'd say that Jesus never stood a chance. He was not given a fair trial. And this is the reason that in our text in Mark chapter 14, Mark, writing under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is showing us that this trial, quote unquote, was just quote, was just a show. That as the Sanhedrin was trying to gather evidence, They needed it so that they could legitimately put him to death. They tried and they tried hard.

They couldn't find any testimony against Jesus that would warrant the death penalty. But let's dig a little bit further on this. We'll skip verse 54 because we already took some time in a previous sermon looking at Peter and what was going on with him. Let's look at verses 55 through 59. The chief priests and the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death and found none.

For many bear false witness against him, But their witness agreed not together. And there rose certain and bare false witness against him, saying, we heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands. And within three days, I will build another made without hands." But neither so did their witness agree together. You see, again, They were looking for something against Jesus. Now, any other man, they could have found something.

I guarantee you, if you or I look for something against each other, you look hard enough, you'll find something. We're all sinners. Sinners saved by grace but we're still sinners. You look for a fault, something to criticize, something to find on each other. Look hard enough, you'll find it.

But Jesus, there was nothing. There was nothing. They could not find anything. Now they were especially looking for something that would warrant the death penalty. I would hope that if someone were coming in and looking for something that would warrant a death penalty.

No one would be able to find anything on any of us that would warrant the death penalty unless, unless in our country it became punishable by law, punishable by the death penalty that if you're Christian you'll die the death penalty. And then let there be plenty of evidence. Right? But they couldn't find anything for Jesus with their current laws. Well, I done messed up with this.

It's not even on. But they couldn't find anything with their current laws with the death penalty. So what did they do? So, what did they do? Well, in verses 55 through 59, we find that They found many that bear false witness against him.

Their witness did not agree. They found some that said, I'll destroy this temple that is made with hands and with within within three days I'll build another made without hands but but neither so did their witness agree together they found liars but none of their witnesses would agree. All of this is important, beloved, because understand this all goes back to the biblical mosaic law. Turn with me back to the Old Testament in Numbers chapter 35. Numbers chapter 35 Numbers chapter 35 and verse 30 Says whoso killeth any Person the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses, but one witness shall not testify any person to cause him to die." It was absolutely forbidden that any case be tried with only one witness.

Deuteronomy chapter 17 verses 6 and 7 says At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death, but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death. The hands of the witness shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hands of all the people so thou shalt put the evil away from among you." And so under the Mosaic law two or three witnesses were needed to put someone to death. The execution of, say, an idolater could not take place on hearsay or gossip. One witness was not enough, and furthermore, Those two or three witnesses had to face the one that they were accusing. And in fact, here's the kicker.

Those who accused, they were the ones who had to pick up the first stone. Think about that. Showed that they accepted the validity of their testimony. Over in Deuteronomy chapter 19 verses 15 through 19, Deuteronomy 19 verses 15 through 19 it says, One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth, at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses shall the matter be established. If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong, then both the men between whom the controversy is shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days.

And the judges shall make diligent inquisition. And behold, if the witness be a false witness and hath testified falsely against his brother then shall you do unto him as he hath as he had thought to have done unto his brother so shall that put the evil away from among you this was so This was taken so seriously in God's law that when a false witness arose and brought his witness against someone, When the accusation was found to be false, the false accuser received the punishment for the alleged crime. Alright, so for example, if someone came in and accused... And accused, let's just keep it from being personal, but let's just say if I accused someone falsely of murder. So I went and I said, hey, my neighbor murdered someone and I saw it.

It's not a true accusation, but maybe I want their land. Maybe I don't like my neighbor. Whatever the reason is, I go and lie about my neighbor. And I say, they have murdered someone. I go down to the police station, I go down to the judge, I tell them, Well, I'm the only witness.

There's not two or three. The judges come and they figure out what's going on. They find me to be a false witness. I don't just get in trouble for lying. Now I get the punishment for murder.

I'm executed. You see. This is why, beloved, there is such an emphasis on the witnesses in Mark. This is why the Sanhedrin is all together trying to find, trying to discover, trying to get witnesses that will agree with one another. But you know, in all of this, there is application for us as well.

You know, here we are 2, 000 years past all of this. We're not under the Old Covenant law. You know, we're not under the Mosaic law like they were and certainly we don't have the Sanhedrin and all of that thing but there is application for us. Beware of those preachers who say the Old Testament doesn't matter and all of those sorts of things it does Go with me to mark to Matthew chapter 18 The order is given in the church. Matthew chapter 18.

Matthew chapter 18, beginning of verse 15. Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, or if he shall sin against thee, Go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church.

But if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." You see, this is talking about not public sins, you know, there are some sins that are public, but this is talking about personal sins between two people. Nobody is to bring hearsay or gossip or slander into the church until it's been established by two or three witnesses first. There's an order. It's been established going all the way back into the Old Testament. Otherwise, Every time somebody gets there, well, it's to protect the innocent.

Let's just put it that way. It's to protect people. People squabble all the time. Family issues. We're all different.

We all have issues. This is again repeated as Paul wrote to Timothy about the elders or the pastors in 1st Timothy chapter 5 verses 17 through 19 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in word and doctrine." Verse 18. 1st Timothy 5 verse 18, For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn, and the labor is worthy of his reward. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses." And so, again, there's no place for hearsay or malicious gossip. Those things are of the devil.

But two or three witnesses, two or three valid witnesses, are required according to God's Word. Sadly, many today are treated like Jesus was on that day when he was surrounded by false accusers. Over in 1st Peter over in first Peter chapter 4 first Peter chapter 4 beginning of verse 12 and going down to verse 16 Peter said beloved think in a strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, though some strange thing happened unto you, but rejoice in as much as your partakers of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy. If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. On their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other man's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf." And so we're encouraged in God's Word that, yes, there will be trials. Part of that is that we can rejoice as we go through those trials insofar as that we are partakers of Christ's sufferings. And indeed, as we go through life, let us not suffer for the wrong things, but let us suffer as Christians. Let us suffer like Christ suffered.

In our text in Mark chapter 14 Versus 60 through 65 here verses 16 through 65 here. Mark 14 verses 63-65. The high priest stood up in the midst, And asked Jesus, saying, Answers thou nothing? What is it which these witness against thee? But he held his peace and answered nothing.

There are times to answer and there are times to be quiet. Again the high priest asked him and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? Are you the Messiah, or not? Jesus said, I am. You shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, coming in the clouds of heaven.

Then the high priest rent his clothes and sayeth, What need we any further witnesses? You've heard the blasphemy, what think ye? They all condemned him to be guilty of death. They began to spit on him and cover his face, to buffet him and to say unto him, prophesy, and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands." Notice how our Lord behaved. How He acted In that terrible place.

He didn't get angry. He didn't strike back. He didn't stoop to their level. None of that. In fact, Peter brings that out in 1 Peter chapter 2.

That is a great example. As a great example. 1 Peter chapter 2 Verses 19 through 25. For this is thank worthy. If a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully, for what glory is it when you when you be buffeted for your faults, you shall take it patiently.

But if when you do well, suffer for it, take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. In other words, if you're sinning, You take it patiently, what's that? But if you're doing well and suffer for it, you take it patiently, that's acceptable to God. For even here too, you were called because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that you should follow his steps. He did no sin.

Neither was guile found in his mouth When he was reviled, reviled not again. When he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously, who his own self bear our sins in his own body on the tree. Who his own self bear our sins in his own body on the tree, who his own self bear our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live under righteousness by whose stripes you were healed. For you were as sheep going astray, but now returned unto the shepherd and bishop of your souls. Jesus had no sin, and yet he was continually enduring the suffering and reviling against him Having faithful endurance and trust of the Father likewise you and I Though we are sinners we have been saved by grace and we are to endure whatever suffering we may have.

Jesus is our example. As he was tried and interrogated that day, Jesus did not lose his cool or strike back at those who came at him. Although they were using illegal means to get him, This was all being used by God to accomplish his eternal plan of salvation. What a great example we have in him. Over in Acts chapter 2, verse 22, Acts chapter 2 and verse 22 As Peter addressed the crowd that day he Brought it out very clearly Said you men of Israel hear these words Jesus of Nazareth a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as you yourselves also know, him being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God Ye have taken him by wicked hands have crucified and slain whom God Hath raised up having loosed the pains of death because it was not possible He should be holding of it.

You see, this was the plan of God. Know this, You may be going through some tough times right now. Maybe even accused by the religious crowd of our day, but God will use that too. Over in Romans chapter 8, verse 28. So we bring this to a close.

Romans chapter 8 and verse 28 says, Romans chapter 8 verse 28 says, for I am persuaded that neither death nor life nor angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come. Sorry, I'm in verse 38. Verse 28 says, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. All things work together for good to them that love God. This is for God's people, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Not everything is good, but all things will work together for good. So we thank God for that. We may not know what another day may hold, but we know who holds another day. So let's be dismissed in prayer.