Day 31
The
Main Event: the trial
Read: Luke 22:47–23:26
It is possible to understand Jesus' death from a
secular, historical point of view. His life and teachings
provoked increasingly intense reactions which throughout his ministry had been
simmering away; now at his trial all this opposition and accusation “explodes.”
Jesus was brought before two different courts.
Jewish religious
leaders initiated his arrest, they were threatened. Believing they had a monopoly on truth, they
did not want to see anything undermine their part of the prevailing religious system.
The Sanhedrin, the Jew's Supreme Court condemned Jesus to death for
blasphemy, but did not have the legal powers to carry out the sentence, so Jesus
was taken to the Roman governor Pilate.
The
disciples’ reaction to Jesus’ arrest was to flee. Even Peter, when under
pressure, denied knowing Jesus. No one stood in Jesus’ defence. The whole scene
becomes a sick-circus! The soldiers openly mocking, full of contempt and even
hatred, Herod only interested in Jesus if he could provide a show, and Pilate aware
of Jesus’ innocence, but swayed by public and political pressure. The crowds fickle only interested in a
shallow-way and turned by the strong opinions of others. Pilate in giving in to the chief priests, passed
sentence on the grounds of high treason; not even acknowledging the Sanhedrin's sentence, he
pronounced judgment on the basis of a completely new judicial procedure.
Ultimately
Jesus is “convicted” by his own testimony. Following years of not openly
declaring who he is, Jesus acknowledges his identity. Neither blasphemer nor
traitor; Jesus is Son of God, he is God’s King.
Ponder Point
(reflect)
- Like Jesus it’s a positive
to “be on trial” for who I really am
Consider
(respond)
- Do I determine who I am by
what I do, or vice versa?
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