You may be familiar with the Innocence Project, which provides pro bono legal services to inmates who can be proven innocent through DNA testing. Before being cleared, 205 of their clients served a combined 4,102 years behind bars for crimes they didn’t commit.
These cases are a travesty of justice, but the trial and conviction of Jesus was the greatest of all. Imagine the irony of human beings putting the One who profoundly loves them on trial for crimes He never committed.
The religious authorities served as both mediators of God’s will to the people and as a judicial authority. Their behavior at Jesus’ trial should be a warning to all religious professionals. When we think we are right, we need to step back and ask God to reveal our motives, because they may warp the decisions we render.
The King of All Kings on Trial
Our videos and my blog will soon be studying the book of Acts. There, we will learn from Peter both God’s purpose in the crucifixion and human responsibility.
“This man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law” (Acts 2:23).
Even though the death of Jesus on the cross was part of God’s redemptive plan, it didn’t absolve the religious authorities of their complicity in putting the King of all kings on trial.
Their first attempt at a conviction involved accusing witnesses. There were no prosecuting or defense attorneys in this court. The witnesses brought the accusations, and the defendant was on His own. The witnesses could not get their stories straight, and it wasn’t necessary for Jesus to mount a defense.
Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.'” The high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” (Matthew 26:59-62).
The word “hypocrite” is used 16 times in the Gospel of Matthew. It refers to people who play a role that is not reflective of who they actually are. Jesus often used “hypocrite” to describe the religious authorities, and rightfully so. Their hypocrisy in this instance is on full display.
The religious authorities use a common tool of hypocrites: they take the “ends justify the means” approach and use false testimonies to bring about their desired outcome. They fail to recognize that we become like the means we use.
Second Attempt at a Conviction
Even though the religious leaders had no problem violating God’s commandments when they brought false testimony against Jesus, He was always faithful to the Lord.
Then the high priest said to him, “I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “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.”
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. What do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death.” (Matthew 26:63-66).
Jesus combined two Old Testament passages, Psalm 110:1 and Daniel 7:13, as He identified Himself as the Messiah. On the Day of Pentecost, the crowd was deeply grieved because they realized they had a hand in crucifying their long-awaited Messiah.
Reflections
I hope you will take time to reflect on this trial scene. Ask yourself, “How might I be like the bad guys in this story?” Then consider your own need to be right and any tendency to believe the ends justify the means.
Remember, we become like the means we use to get our way.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed Matthew 26:47-68 on YouTube today.
Real Voices 