Righteousness On Trial
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Analyzing the power and significance of the faithful testimony of righteousness.
Text: Luke 22:66-71
Date: 10/26/2025, the Combined service.
Series: "Luke: Thy Kingdom Come" Part 214
Description:
As morning comes on the day of Jesus' Crucifixion, the members of the Sanhedrin hurry to reproduce the clandestine and highly illegal trial of the night before in a more legitimate assembly. The purpose of the trial is to prompt Jesus to condemn Himself again by confessing to His claim of divinity. When they ask Him if He is the Messiah, Jesus responds with the words and imagery of two Old Testament passages that not only speak of the Messiah, but make clear implications of Deity. And in a very ironic twist, both passages speak of a vastly different courtroom and a vastly different situation where the Son of Man will be the Judge and those who reject Him will be on trial. When they ask Him directly if He is the Son of God, Jesus responds affirmatively but in a way that goes infinitely beyond their comprehension. Our focus will be on this profound and enduring testimony-- affirming His divine Lordship while intentionally condemning Himself to the Cross. Ultimately we will realize that the faithful testimony of righteousness on trial will always thwart the intentions of evil, and endures as a brilliant light to guide the lost out of darkness.
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 22:66-71.
A. Context, Luke 20:19-20; John 11:49-50.
B. When Truth is on trial.
1. Setting the scene, vs. 66.
a. Luke's unique timeline, Mark 15:1.
b. The nature of the assembly.
i. The gathering.
ii. The members of the Sanhedrin, Ex. 18:21-22.
1) The elders of the people.
2) The chief priests.
3) The scribes.
c. The reason for the assembly.
i. Why the midnight trial was illegal.
ii. Probing the reason, Luke 12:56.
2. The Messianic discourse, vs. 67-69.
a. The Sanhedrin's question, vs. 67a, Matt. 26:63.
b. Jesus' answer, vs. 67b-69.
i. You will not believe, vs. 67b.
ii. You will not answer, vs. 68, Luke 20:1-4, 20:7.
c. The eschatological verdict, vs. 69.
i. At the right hand of the Father, Psa. 110:1.
1) A reference of power and irony, Rev. 19:11-16.
2) A gruesome imagery, Psa. 110:5-6; Rv. 19:17-21.
ii. When the judged becomes the Judge, Dan. 7:9-10,13-14.
iii. The intense irony of Jesus' response, Rom. 2:3,5.
3. The discourse concerning divinity, vs. 70-71.
a. The question. vs. 70a.
b. The answer, vs. 70b.
i. A positive response.
ii. A misconception of "Son of God".
iii. Seeking the true meaning, Luke 1:35; Col. 1:19; Ex. 40:34-35.
c. The verdict, vs. 71.
i. A typical reaction of hypocrisy.
ii. Probing the intentions.
iii. The testimony of Jesus.
III. Application
A. A multi-faceted testimony.
1. A testimony to the perpetrators of evil.
2. A testimony of Redemption.
3. A testimony of persecution, John 3:19-20.
4. A testimony that endures.
IV. Conclusion
