After His arrest, Jesus was subjected to a series of six trials – three Jewish, three Roman.

First, Jesus was questioned by Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year (John 18:13). Annas was the most influential man in the city and the “unofficial” high priest (John 18:19,24). Annas' interests were Jesus’ disciples and His teachings. Jesus, who had earlier sought to protect His disciples (John 18:7-8), did not provide any information about them. Of His teaching, Jesus said, “Go, ask the people” for He had taught publicly.

That same night, Annas sent Jesus, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. False witnesses came forward to testify against Jesus but their statements were not consistent and did not agree. They could not find any reason to put Him to death until Caiaphas asked, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" Jesus said, “I am.” Caiaphas considered this statement blasphemy and they all condemned Jesus to be deserving of death.

Next morning, the Sanhedrin assembled to pass official judgment before Jesus was taken to the Roman procurator of Judea, Pontius Pilate, as the Jews were not allowed to administer capital punishment (John 18:31).

Israel’s leaders had no intention of seeking the truth. They had long before decided to put Jesus to death (Mark 14:1). The trials were a sham.

What do we mean when we say, “The Lord led me to do this” “God told me that this was the right decision”? Often, what we may really mean is, “I have already decided to do this, and I have assumed it to be God’s will.” In doing so, we hide our choice behind pious words and use God’s name in vain. If our decision turned out to be a foolish one, then God becomes the author of that bad decision!

When we ask God to reveal His will to us, we must be honest with ourselves and with God if we have a preference. Then seek to be ready to do God’s will, whatever it may be, even if it is not our preference.

Spiritual Exercise: Are you seeking God’s will on a matter? What is it? Write it down. Take your problem to the Lord and ask Him for wisdom to discern His will on this matter. What does God’s Word say about this matter? Search the Scriptures. If you are committed to do His will, He will show you.

Prayer: 
Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.