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SearchThe Ego Falters in the Presence of Light
It was about half past three o'clock this Friday morning when the chief priest, Caiaphas, called
the Sanhedrist court of inquiry to order and asked that Jesus be brought before them for his
formal trial. On three previous occasions the Sanhedrin, by a large majority vote, had decreed the
death of Jesus, had decided that he was worthy of death on informal charges of law-breaking,
blasphemy, and flouting the traditions of the fathers of Israel.
This was not a regularly called meeting of the Sanhedrin and was not held in the usual place, the
chamber of hewn stone in the temple. This was a special trial court of some thirty Sanhedrists
and was convened in the palace of the high priest. John Zebedee was present with Jesus
throughout this so-called trial.
How these chief priests, scribes, Sadducees, and some of the Pharisees flattered themselves that
Jesus, the disturber of their position and the challenger of their authority, was now securely in
their hands! And they were resolved that he should never live to escape their vengeful clutches.
Ordinarily, the Jews, when trying a man on a capital charge, proceeded with great caution and
provided every safeguard of fairness in the selection of witnesses and the entire conduct of the
trial. But on this occasion, Caiaphas was more of a prosecutor than an unbiased judge.
Jesus appeared before this court clothed in his usual garments and with his hands bound together
behind his back. The entire court was startled and somewhat confused by his majestic
appearance. Never had they gazed upon such a prisoner nor witnessed such composure in a man
on trial for his life.