Podcast Summary: 2819 Church | CROSS TO COMMISSION: The Court of the Wicked (Matthew 26:57-68) | Arik Hayes (12/08/25)

Episode Overview

This episode features a passionate and reflective sermon by Arik Hayes at 2819 Church, focusing on Matthew 26:57-68, the ordeal of Jesus before the Sanhedrin—“The Court of the Wicked.” The sermon is part of the church’s long-running series, Cross to Commission. Hayes explores the reality of evil, the profound injustice Jesus faced at the hands of religious authorities, and the deep significance of Christ choosing to endure humiliation, abuse, and abandonment for the sake of redemption. The message is both a challenge and an invitation for believers to honor Jesus’ sacrifice by embracing faith, resilience, and a personal relationship with God, whose “name is Power.” The episode concludes with a celebratory report from Pastor Philip Mitchell on the church's outreach and generosity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction: The Heart of the Church (00:13–06:10)

• Honoring People, Including Unbelievers: Arik opens by welcoming everyone—especially behind-the-scenes workers, digital participants, and even unbelievers, emphasizing, “You just don’t want to use people. You want to honor people. You want them to feel loved.” (00:31)
• Essence of 2819 Church: "We are a church that is a house of prayer, presence, and proclamation, all three. That's the heart of the DNA of this church." (00:35)
• Emphasis on Exclusivity of Jesus: Arik underscores the Christian conviction that salvation is found only through Jesus, contrasting this with other popular spiritual alternatives.
  • “The scripture says, anybody else that tries to get to God any other way … the Scriptures call them a thief and a robber.” (02:59)

2. On Evil, Betrayal, and Broken Trust (07:13–10:48)

• Existence of Evil: The message quickly shifts to the reality of evil in the world and how it is devastating when perpetrated by those we trust—parents, teachers, police, pastors.
  • “There is evil in the world … There is holiness, and there is evil. And we've all encountered it.” (07:20)
• Abuse of Trust:
  • “Dealing with evil is one thing, but dealing with evil at the hands of people that are supposed to protect you … it cuts differently.” (09:01)
• Context for Christ’s Ordeal: Sets up Jesus’ experience before the religious authorities as the ultimate case of betrayal by those entrusted with spiritual leadership.

3. The Trial of Jesus: Exposing Corrupt Religion (11:02–18:38)

• Abandonment by Disciples:

  • “All of the disciples deserted him … So as we jump into verse 57 … He was alone.” (11:42)

• Religious Corruption: The high priest Caiaphas, appointed by an occupying government, epitomizes religious compromise. The trial is a sham—held illegally at night, seeking “false testimony.”

  • “How are you a whole high priest with a whole Sanhedrin council … actively trying to find a false witness?” (14:38)
  • “It’s a wicked court.” (15:38)

• Perfection of Christ: Jesus’ innocence is highlighted by the authorities’ inability to find legitimate charges. Even their false accusations only distort his metaphoric prophecy about the temple.

  • “If Christ broke one law, he is then disqualified from dying on the cross and being our Savior.” (17:59)
  • Insight: Christ’s flawless obedience qualified him as a substitute for human sin.

4. Jesus’ Dignity and Revelation of Power (19:02–24:50)

• Christ’s Silence: Jesus remains unshaken in the face of false charges.

  • “But Jesus remained silent. … It’s like you just weren't gonna rattle him.” (19:02–19:10)

• Caiaphas’ Demand and Jesus’ Declaration:

  • “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the son of God.” (20:40 – Caiaphas)
  • Jesus’ answer: “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (22:21–22:29)
  • Notable Insight: “That P [in ‘Power’] is capitalized. … Your daddy’s name is Power. And guess who told you it was true? Jesus Christ himself.” (24:05–24:32)

• Revelation vs. Information: Hayes urges listeners not just to seek knowledge about God, but a Spirit-given revelation of His character—especially His power.

5. Spiritual Application & Encouragement (24:57–33:19)

• Personal Testimony: Praying to Power:

  • Shares a personal story about praying for a smoother return from a family trip—God “took off 40–42 minutes from the delay.” (27:54)
  • “I prayed to Power and something happened.” (28:23)

• Challenge to Pray Boldly: “Pray to your Father, whose name is Power, and expect something to happen.” (28:35)

• God Can Change Us and Our Circumstances: “He can change you and the situation at the same time. Don’t you limit him or put him in a box.” (28:50)

6. Christ, the True High Priest: Divine Irony (29:40–33:19)

• The high priest is unwittingly helping to facilitate Christ’s sacrificial death—the very act that will make Jesus the eternal High Priest.
  • “This is the high priest … talking to the one who will become the high priest. … He doesn’t even know he’s being used by God.” (29:49–30:20)
  • “What the devil meant for evil, God turned it around.” (31:01–31:23)
• Call for Christlike Character:
  • “He is solid character. Even unto death, he did not fold. Help us have that character, oh God.” (33:06)
  • Exemplifies with the faithfulness of Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

7. Walking in Confidence and Knowing God (33:19–38:15)

• How to Develop Spiritual Strength:
  • “Do you want to know how to get that confidence? … Just read your Bible … He is the sauce. The living one.” (35:21–35:32)
  • Calls listeners to deepen their relationship with God through scripture, prayer, and solitude: “Turn down your plate. Turn down your screen. Seclude yourself, steal away and get to know Him.” (37:14–37:26)
• Support for Believers Who Feel Alone: Explains that solitude with God is often a path to spiritual maturity and resilience.
  • “This is how you can walk alone.” (37:51)

8. The Abuse and Mockery Christ Endured (38:15–46:21)

• The Brutality of Jesus’ Treatment: Arik reads Matthew 26:67-68—spitting, striking, slapping, and mocking.
  • “This thing brought me to tears earlier this week. Real talk… Christ wasn’t defenseless. He rendered himself defenseless. He chose to take his power and put it down.” (44:30–44:58)
• Jesus Endured Willingly: Emphasizes that Jesus underwent every aspect of suffering deliberately, for humanity's sake.
  • “He stayed in the pocket of persecution for you … At any given time, he could have made quick work of all this.” (46:48–47:03)
• Reflection for Listeners: Challenges the congregation to honor Jesus with their own sacrifices and obedience.
  • “Look at what he did before he even got to the cross. Beloved, we gotta honor that.” (49:26–49:34)

9. Closing Prayer & Benediction (49:40–50:45)

• Hayes prays for revelation, transformation, and gratitude for Christ’s role as “the most high priest” and “Father ... whose name is Power.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On betrayal and evil from trusted hands:
  “Dealing with evil is one thing, but dealing with evil at the hands of people that are supposed to protect you … it cuts differently.” (09:01)
• On Jesus’ dignity under pressure:
  “But Jesus remained silent … Christ always came off cool. … You just weren’t gonna rattle him.” (19:02–19:22)
• On Jesus’ revelation of God’s identity:
  “Your daddy’s name is Power. And guess who told you it was true? Jesus Christ himself.” (24:05–24:32)
• On the logic of Christ’s suffering:
  “Christ wasn’t defenseless. He rendered himself defenseless. He chose to take his power and put it down. And choose not to use [it].” (44:58)
• On facing life with faith:
  “He is the One that sustains. In your weakest hour, you call on him. … Even if he does not deliver me, he is still able.” (33:46–34:46)
• On practical faith:
  “You can seek his face and his hand. They’re connected at his heart. And it’s for you in Christ Jesus.” (29:07–29:21)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:13 – 06:10: Opening remarks, church vision, honoring people and emphasizing salvation through Jesus.
• 07:13 – 10:48: Personal and societal experiences of evil, particularly betrayal by trusted figures.
• 11:02 – 18:38: The trial of Jesus before Caiaphas, exposing religious corruption and Christ’s unblemished character.
• 19:02 – 24:50: Jesus’ composure, Caiaphas’ challenge, and the revelation of God as “Power.”
• 24:57 – 29:40: Personal testimony about praying in faith, the practical outworking of knowing God's power.
• 29:40 – 33:19: Jesus as the true High Priest; God’s sovereignty over evil intentions.
• 33:19 – 38:15: Directions for deepening trust and spiritual confidence; personal transformation through scripture and solitude.
• 38:15 – 46:21: The suffering and humiliation Jesus endured; why he endured it for us.
• 49:40 – 50:45: Closing prayer, gratitude, and call to deeper commitment.

Special Message from Pastor Philip Mitchell (51:41–60:59)

• Church’s Generosity in Action: Pastor Mitchell joyfully shares how the young church has, for the first time, been able to give over $1 million to support churches, missions, Christian businesses, and ministries worldwide—including persecuted believers, missionary families, and a gospel outreach podcast.
  • “In this calendar year, 2025, we have supported 10 churches … two missionary families on two different continents … a Christian ship … outreach organizations in Africa and the Caribbean.” (55:45–56:34)
  • “Over $1 million given away. And we can celebrate that as a church.” (58:28)
• Thanks for Faithful Giving: A joyful, humble encouragement to keep partnering in global ministry.
  • “Because of you, thousands of lives are being impacted … Our reward is above us. Our reward is in heaven.” (59:42–60:59)

Summary Takeaways

• Jesus’ journey to the cross included not just physical suffering, but deep injustice and humiliation, endured for the sake of redemption.
• Christians are challenged to honor his sacrifice with bold faith, commitment to truth, and personal pursuit of God—not just knowledge, but revelation and relationship.
• The “court of the wicked” cannot thwart God’s plan; what is meant for evil, God turns for good.
• Confidence in hardship springs from knowing and praying to a God whose very “name is Power.”
• Faith in action includes radical generosity, as celebrated by the church’s million-dollar investment in global outreach and ministry.

For Further Reflection

• Are you seeking information about God, or revelation from Him?
• How can you respond to Jesus’ example of dignity, restraint, and sacrifice for others—especially in times of injustice or suffering?
• What might it look like in your life to pray and act in expectation of God’s power?