Are you growing in imitation of Christ? There is a clandestine nature to the Kingdom of God. A revelation, a visitation, a hearing of the Word of God is required to begin the process of salvation. Jesus was not interested in the type of promotion so familiar in our day which seeks after crowds, money and popularity. Jesus' ministry is not based on persuasion or education. Many times Jesus told his disciples and those he healed to "Tell no man."

Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” ...for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears my voice.” Jesus said, those of are of the truth hear my voice. John 18

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111: Jesus Before Caiaphas

Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65; Luke 22:63-71; John 18:12-27

 Jesus Before Caiaphas

Jesus was taken before the high priest. Assembled were all the chief priests, scribes, and elders.

            Peter followed the crowd into the palace and sat with the servants, warming himself at the fire.

            The chief priests and the council sought to find witnesses so that Jesus might be put to death. Many testified against Jesus, but the testimony of no two agreed.

            Then certain witnesses arose and said:

            “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 even the testimony of these did not agree exactly.

            Then the high priest arose and said to Jesus:

            “Answerest thou nothing? What is it which these witness against thee?”

            Jesus remained silent. Again the high priest asked him:

            “Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”

            Jesus replied:

            “I am. And ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of Heaven.”

            The high priest then tore Jesus’ clothes and said to the council:

            “What need we any further witnesses? Ye have heard the blasphemy. What think ye?”

            Thereupon they all condemned Jesus to death. Some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to strike him, and say:

          “Prophesy!”

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112: Jesus Before Pilate

Matthew 27:2, 11-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-12; John 18:28-38

Jesus Before Pilate

The next morning Jesus was taken, by his accusers, to Pilate. Pilate asked them:

            “What accusation bring ye against this man?”

            They replied:

            “If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up to thee.”

            Pilate said:

            “Take ye and judge him according to your law.”

            His accusers answered:

            “It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.”

            Pilate then called Jesus and asked him:

            “Art thou the King of the Jews?”

            Jesus replied:

            “Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?”

            Pilate replied:

            “Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me. What hast thou done?”

            Jesus answered:

            “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews. But now is my kingdom not from hence.”

            Pilate asked:

            “Art thou a king then?”

           Jesus answered:

            “Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice.”

            Pilate said to Jesus:

            “What is truth?”

            Then the governor went out to the accusers and said:

            “I find in him no fault at all.”