Erlo Stegen emphasizes the profound suffering of Jesus during His trial, highlighting the injustice and brutality He faced at the hands of the high priests and Roman authorities. He draws parallels between the physical stripes Jesus endured and the spiritual healing available to believers, underscoring that Jesus' suffering was not just for the Jews but for the salvation of the entire world. Stegen warns against spiritual complacency, as exemplified by Peter's denial of Christ while warming himself among the servants, urging believers to avoid associations that may lead them away from their faith. The sermon reflects on the fulfillment of prophecy regarding Jesus' suffering and the significance of His sacrifice for humanity's freedom from sin. Ultimately, it calls for a deeper understanding of the cost of salvation and the importance of remaining steadfast in faith.

"Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not. And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself. The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew." (John 18:12-27). The Jews' law said that a man may not be beaten more than 40 times, so they made it 39 to be sure that they won't exceed 40 stripes. But the Romans had no such law and would beat a man without even counting. And so they beat the Lord Jesus. Annas was no longer the high priest, being deposed by the Romans. But he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest, and still had a hand in the office of the high priest. Just as a docter takes an oath to do all possible to save the life of their patients, so the high priest had to perform the duties of the high priest with all gravity and holiness on behalf of the people. However, the whole trial of Jesus was a travesty of justice. When they had arrested Jesus (being sent by the high priest to arrest Him), they immediately took Him on trial even though it was late at night. They were in a hurry to get it over and get Him condemned. The whole trial was just to give formality to the judgement they had already predetermined. When Caiaphas said that His death would bring salvation to the nation he did not know what he said. For Jesus indeed did bring salvation to the whole world but not in the way as he had thought. Peter stood and warmed himself in the company of the servants of the high priest. He grew cold spiritually and denied Jesus. Do not keep company with those who are lukewarm spiritually, for they will drag you down. A person is known by his friends. A girl from Germany came here for help. She smoked dagga. She couldn't speak a word of Zulu. One day we went out to preach in a rural area and we asked her whether she would like to come with us to see the area. When the service was ended she already had gotten hold of some dagga. So homosexuals find each other, drunkards find each other etc. They struck Him in the face, uncondemned and against the law for one standing trial. So they fulfilled one of the prophecies of Isaiah 50-53 where His suffering is described. The Jews stoned a condemned person, but they took Him to the Romans who crucified a condemned criminal so that the Scriptures would be fulfilled. He suffered, the Creator of Heaven and earth, so that you and I could be set free from our bondage.