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The Bible Says
All scholars agree that Jesus was convicted and Crucified as the result of an unlawful trial. “Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witnesses against Jesus, to put him to death; but found none; yea: though many false witnesses came yet they found none. At the last came two false witnesses, and said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.” (Matthew 26:59-61).
On that day when Jesus really needed support from all His friends and followers, not one showed up to plead His cause or support His case! For three and one half years Christ had mingled with poor and rich alike. He had fed the hungry, healed the sick, and demonstrated His divine love to broken hearts and sin-sick souls. Now when the test came, one of His 12 apostles sold Him to His enemies for 30 pieces of silver (The Open Bible says weighed $52.80). Another of the 12 cursed and swore and declared he never knew Him! Speaking of His followers across the board the Bible says, “Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled” (Matt. 26:56). The Apostle John and a few faithful women, including His Mother and Mary Magdalene, courageously stood by His side through the entire ordeal. But for the most part He died alone and without a dissenting voice. How sad!
Following is a quote from Anne Graham Lotz: “One of the most tragic scenes to me in all of Scripture is the one that took place later that week (The last week of our Lord’s earthly career). He was arrested at midnight on Thursday, and during the early hours of Friday morning, He was placed on trial. Not one person stepped up to testify to what Jesus had done for him, or her. He faced many accusers who blamed Him for treason, treachery, and tax evasion, but where was the blind man who was given sight? Where was the leper who had been cleansed? Where was the adulterous woman who had been forgiven? Where was the demoniac who had been set free? Where was Jairus’s daughter who had been raised from the dead, or Peter’s mother-in-law who had been relieved from a fever? Where was the paraplegic who now walked? Where were those whose lives had been touched and transformed by the power and love of Jesus? Where were they? They weren’t there!
-- Anne Graham Lotz, MY HEART’S CRY, (W Publishing Group) p.52-53 I believe the answer is found in our Lord’s GREAT COMMISSION just before He ascended back to Heaven Luke 24:45-51. In verse 49 of this passage we read: “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). The problem these early believers were encountering was that God’s Holy Spirit had not yet been poured out. Consequently, they did not have power in their lives to be living witnesses for Jesus. Peter was honest and sincere when he said to the Master, “Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.” At that time he was unaware of his own human weakness, but Jesus was not. “And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt deny that thou knowest me” (Luke 22:33,34). In the book of Acts, we are again confronted with Christ’s GREAT COMMISSION, just before His Ascension: “And he said unto them, it is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power, but ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses. . .” (Acts 1:7,8). Peter waited, together with the others and all were embued with power to become witnesses. This is a major reason why the new-born church took in 3,000 new members the very first day of its existence (Acts 2:41). A few days later another 5,000 men joined the church, in addition to their wives and children (Acts 4:4). By this time Peter had become a very bold and fearless witness for Jesus. His brave stand sent him to jail, and later it cost him his life, but his heavenly reward will more than out-weigh the cost! For God’s people a strong witness is imperative! “Ye shall be witnesses unto Me” (Acts 1:8).
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