Day 37 - The Trials

Today's readings are from Luke 22:66 - 23:25 & John 18: 28-40

There were six trials that took place in a few hours of time that early Friday. The first, recorded by John in 18:12-14, was before the aged, former High Priest, Annas. The second trial was before Caiaphas, the High Priest at the time. Caiaphas had little trouble convening a council in the wee hours of the morning. The trial was a sham since Jesus' fate was already determined. The Sanhedrin - the council of leaders - broke all the rules to make sure Jesus was convicted. According to their law, a person was presumed innocent unless corroborating evidence was brought by credible witnesses - each of which had to give their testimonies separate from each other to make sure they were not conflicting.
The High Priest was to remain neutral, presiding over the trial much like a debate - to hear the various charges, listen to the evidence, and lead the members in making a just decision. It was Jesus himself who gave them what they were looking for: Luke 22:52 (NIV)
52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs?

The Romans would never have allowed them to kill Jesus accept for the charge that he was trying to overthrow Caesar and leading a rebellion to become King. The council knew what the real issue was: Luke 22:66-71 (NIV)
66 At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them.
67 "If you are the Christ," they said, "tell us." Jesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me,
68 and if I asked you, you would not answer.
69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God."
70 They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied, "You are right in saying I am."
71 Then they said, "Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips."


The issue wasn't an earthly Kingdom, it was the issue of Messiah, Deity, Incarnation. That they couldn't, wouldn't believe. Yet the charge was of insurrection. Luke 23:1-3 (NIV)
1 Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate.
2 And they began to accuse him, saying, "We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king."
3 So Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.

The two trials before Pilate were broken apart by Pilate's decision, and hope, to resolve this by sending him to Herod Antipas. By this time Jesus had been beaten repeatedly. He would be beaten more. John 18:33-40 (NIV)
33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"
34 "Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?"
35 "Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?"
36 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."
37 "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
38 "What is truth?" Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him.
39 But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release 'the king of the Jews'?"
40 They shouted back, "No, not him! Give us Barabbas!" Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion.

Pilate faced a choice countless others, including us, have faced over centuries of time: Seek the truth and live by it, or compromise to get what you want and live the lie. Barabbas means "son of a father". Not much of an identity. Much like "John Doe". Perhaps that is the point. Jesus stands in the place of the ordinary person. Pilate knew that to release Jesus was to invite an insurrection among the leaders, and by now, the people. These same people who five days earlier had laid their cloaks and palm branches in his path, and sang his praises as the coming King, now turned their backs on him and shouted "CRUCIFY HIM"!!!

It is Friday morning, and Pilate orders Jesus scourged. The day has just begun with the sunlight streaming over the mountains to the east. It is the day of Atonement..."This is the day the LORD has made..."

Jesus.

Peace


If you're reading along in the "bible-in-a-year" with me, read 2 Kings 3 & 4.