Late at night a procession of torches could be seen coming from the city, a crowd of men, led by Judas. With his help, they were able to find Jesus almost alone, apart from the crowds. Arresting him and binding him, they haul him into the city to the house of the High Priest.

Jesus was on "trial" all night. It is not a trial as we think of it, but one man surrounded by enemies, faced with one accusation after another, yelling, trying to get him to admit to something for which they can convict him. Finally, in the early morning, Jesus says the words that will move them to action. He confesses his identity - in the clear words they had long sought to get him to use. "You are right in saying I am (the Son of God)."

As the sun rises (so that now their trial will be legal), they quickly convene a formal hearing and convict Jesus on the evidence of his words. And then they rush him over to the courtyard of the Fortress Antonia, next to the Temple. The city is just stirring awake. Some of Jesus' disciples, scattered and afraid, might be considering how to help him, how to gather a crowd of supporters. But Jesus' enemies are way ahead of them. Their crowd is already assembled. They've been planning this for days. When they bring Jesus to Governor Pilate, they already have his courtyard filled with servants of the Temple, members of the Temple guard, Pharisees, some of those merchants whose tables Jesus turned over, and any others who want to see Jesus stopped.

A servant comes to the Governor to tell him that the Jews have sent a delegation. They will not enter his house because they don't want to be unclean for their Passover Sabbath, so he comes out to meet them. And there is Jesus...

(I'll write more, God willing, as the day goes on.)