Sermon – John 18:21-27 - Testimony

Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard
Sermon – John 18:21-27 - Testimony
Beaver Dam and Pitts Creek Churches
March 14, 2010

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We have come to the fourth Sunday of Lent. Our journey with Jesus through the Gospel of John to the cross is over half way complete. Despite being subject to an arrest warrant issued by the religious leaders in Jerusalem Jesus has returned to the city to celebrate the Passover feast. On the way to Jerusalem Jesus visited the home of his friends Martha, Mary, Lazarus and Judas in Bethany. At dinner his feet were anointed for his burial by Mary making Judas angry. Jesus then entered Jerusalem where he met with some gentiles who had witnessed his signs and had come to belief. This convinced Jesus that his hour of glorification had come and therefore it was time for his death, resurrection and ascension to his Father in heaven. Then Jesus gathered with his disciples for dinner and we watched as Judas’ anger caused him to leave the light of faith and enter into the darkness of unbelief. Judas then led some soldiers to Jesus and after a scuffle Jesus was arrested and brought to the former high priest, Annas, for interrogation. Today we will look at the testimony of Jesus before Annas and the testimony of his disciple Peter.

But before we get to this let’s pray: “Grant unto us, O Lord, to be occupied in the mysteries of thy Heavenly wisdom, with true progress in piety, to thy glory and our own edification. Amen.” (John Calvin)

John 18:12-27 12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 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. 15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, 16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in. 17 "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, "I am not." 18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself. 19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 "I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said." 22 When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded. 23 "If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" 24 Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest. 25 As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it, saying, "I am not." 26 One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, "Didn't I see you with him in the olive grove?" 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.

Annas was, arguably, the most powerful Jewish leader in Jerusalem. He had served as High Priest until deposed by the Roman Governor Gratus in 5 AD. Then four of his sons and a son-in-law, Caiaphas, served as High Priest, but Annas remained very powerful. John tells us the story of the interrogation of Jesus by this powerful person. This interrogation is the direct result of an arrest warrant issued by Caiaphas who was concerned that the raising of Lazarus from death to life had caused great excitement among the population which could lead to a violent Roman response. So out of fear of the Romans, Caiaphas had prophesized, as High Priest, that one man, Jesus, would die for the benefit of the nation. An arrest warrant had been issued and Roman soldiers and temple guards had executed the warrant and brought Jesus in for questioning. Jesus would have the opportunity to give his testimony.

Earlier in the Gospel of John, in the fifth chapter, Jesus had talked about testimony and what kind of testimony would be required to prove that what he was teaching was true. Jesus explained that his own testimony would not be enough proof. The reason for this was that the ancient rabbis had said that one’s own testimony might be self-serving so it couldn’t be trusted. You needed someone to corroborate personal testimony to make it trustworthy. So Jesus knew that anything he might say would not be used for his defense so he refused to answer Annas’ questions.

Annas also asked Jesus about his disciples presumably so that they could be questioned to corroborate Jesus’ own testimony. But Jesus had said that no human testimony could ever be accepted for his claims. Even John the Baptist, who had testified to the light, would ultimately be found as unreliable. And just look at how unreliable Peter turned out to be when questioned in Annas’ courtyard in today’s scripture. Since no human testimony could be used in Jesus’ defense he refused to answer Annas’ questions directly, was hit in the mouth by a guard, and sent to trial before the Roman Governor, Pilate.

This idea that human testimony is unreliable should be troubling in the modern church. Many churches feature personal testimonies in worship. People are encouraged to come forward and testify about God’s work in their lives. Testimony is common on Christian radio and television and in Christian books. We love to listen to these stories because they inspire and motivate us. But we must be warned by scripture that human testimony can never give us a complete picture of who Jesus is.

According to Jesus there are three kinds of testimony that do testify to who he is and can be trusted. The first of these testimonies are the works of Jesus. What Jesus did, his signs and miracles, testify to his identity. Turning water into wine, bringing a blind man to sight, multiplying the loaves and fishes, and raising Lazarus from the dead all testify to who Jesus is. This testimony is what Annas most fears, because it not only testifies to the identity of Jesus, but it also has the power to transform the nation upsetting his careful plan of quiet cooperation with the Romans. Annas wants this testimony stopped, so Jesus is sent to trial without additional questioning.

Jesus said that there was a second source of reliable testimony about his identity. This source is God who, through the Holy Spirit, convinces believers that the testimony of the signs and miracles is true. Annas, although a powerful religious leader, obviously did not have this testimony from God. If he had, he would have seen the signs and come to belief in Jesus. But, not having the testimony of the Holy Spirit in his heart, Annas was not able to understand the meaning of Jesus’ miracles. This is very helpful for us. If we are having trouble believing in Jesus we can get help by asking God in prayer for the Holy Spirit to deliver to us the gift of belief.

And the third source of reliable testimony about Jesus, according to Jesus, is the Holy Word of God, the Bible. The scripture, both Old and New Testaments testify to Jesus’ identity and work. And through the scripture the Holy Spirit works to assure us of the reliability of the testimony of scripture as it tells us about the miracles of Jesus.

Last week I was asked to testify about my belief before New Castle Presbytery. I was required to write a one page statement of faith and a one page autobiography. These were posted on the presbytery web site for all commissioners to read prior to the presbytery meeting. And the commissioners were offered the opportunity to ask me questions about my background and beliefs prior to accepting me as a member of presbytery and pastor of this church. This is an important process to ensure that only believers in Jesus, who know Jesus, by his works, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and by knowledge of scripture, become Ministers of the Word and Sacrament. I had no fear of this process because I knew it was necessary to preserve the purity of our faith. But even my testimony is insufficient. The only things I can do are to tell you about Jesus’ miracles, encourage you to see Jesus in scripture, and pray that the Holy Spirit will bring you to belief.

Finally, let’s get back to Peter. Peter was one of Jesus’ closest disciples leading every list. He was a believer. He was an eyewitness to Jesus’ miracles. He had listened to Jesus’ teachings from scripture. He understood from God who Jesus was. But when he was asked to give his own testimony about Jesus he failed miserably. “Your not one of his disciples are you? Of course not!”

Don’t let this happen to you. Always be ready to give an account of your faith to anyone who asks. Testify to all the things that God has done in your life. But remember that this is not enough. To bring someone to belief in Jesus Christ they must hear about his miracles, recognize him in scripture, and experience the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. And since this is what we do in church why not bring people right here. So testify about all the blessings you have received from God and invite others to come with you to church to find Jesus Christ.

Lord Jesus, we ask that you help us to experience you miracles in our lives and testify to our blessings. Help us to believe in the miracles that you performed and to see you in scripture. Open our ears so that we may hear God testify on your behalf. And we thank you for the gift of belief that leads to eternal life. Amen.