Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Matthew 26:57-58 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end.
PLACES OF THE PASSION -- THE HIGH PRIEST'S COURTYARD
Even as most of us have lived in different places in our lifetimes, some of which no longer exist, the actual home of Caiaphas no longer exists. There are two different sites believed to have possibly been the site of Caiaphas home. The first is outside the ancient city of Jerusalem beneath a church named St. Peter in Gallicantu, which was built on the ruins of an old monastery. (Gallicantu means "a rooster crowing.") The second is within the ancient city and is called the "Armenian Property" because it is located within the Armenian Quarter.
We don't know for sure where the home of Caiaphas was located. We do know that it had a courtyard, for it was into that courtyard that Simon Peter rushed headlong early Good Friday morning. It took some guts to follow and be a disciple of Jesus. It also took some guts to follow the crowd from Gethsemane to the home of the High Priest after Jesus was arrested. It took guts--but should Peter have followed? Did Jesus ask him to follow and offer support? NO. Yet, once more, where Peter was not needed or invited, he rashly inserted himself.
Why? Isn't it plain? Peter was sure of himself, that he could handle it, that he was strong. It's easy for us to see the foolhardy choice of Peter. It's equally easy for us to make the same kind of mistake, and too often we do. How many times have you or I thoughtlessly put ourselves into situations where we knew we would be tempted because we thought that we could handle it?
But, Pastor, doesn't God promise to help me when tempted? Yes, but that doesn't mean you should put God to the test! He does promise (1 Corinthians 10:13) that when you are tempted He will give you a way of escape, but if you don't take it or don't seek His help, what do you think will happen? Satan has more experience with temptation than we do. He comes at us when we least expect it, and at times through unexpected people.
What is there left for us to say? "I have sinned. God be merciful to me, a sinner."
God has been merciful to us. He sent His only Son to be our perfect stand in. He was tempted to sin as we are but did not sin. He was tempted to live for himself and to leave us to fend for ourselves, but He would not. He went to the cross so that our denials and our every sin might be forgiven.
Our sins stand forgiven by virtue of His perfect obedience and willing sacrifice. God has been merciful to us sinners!
