Saturday, March 27, 2010

An Illegal Trial

When we preach and teach the crucifixion of Jesus, it seems that we often skim through our study of the trials so that we can get straight to the theological aspect of actual death and resurrection. When we do this, we miss one of the huge pieces of the entire puzzle. We can't forget that the trial(s) was a complete sham. That was a huge part of the entire theological process. Just consider this, had the trial not been fixed, then Jesus would have been found "not guilty"! Where would we be then?

Here's a few examples of just how bad the trials were rigged.

1. Jesus was convicted and executed even though the judge (Pilate) ruled that he was not guilty.

2. There was no legal basis for Him to be arrested. There were never any formal charges when He was arrested. He was just handcuffed and taken away.

3. Jesus was questioned at night. Jewish law was specific that all trials had to be conducted during the day. Jesus' trial was held at night so that no one would be available to testify on His behalf.

4. The indictment was illegal because the Jewish judges (the Sanhedrin) were the people who originated the charges - not a witness. The judge of the trial can't be the one to make the accusation.

5. The trial began and ended in one day. This was illegal because capital offense cases could not be concluded in one day. Ample time was to be given to make sure any possible witnesses would be given a chance to come forward.

6. Jesus was condmned on His own testimony (Luke 22:67-71). This was illegal. The Jews had the 5th Amendment too.

7. The location of the trial was not legal. Jesus' trial was held at a private residence (the High Priests' home).  According to the law, a death sentence could only be pronounced in the court's appointed place.

8. The court illegally switched charges when they got Jesus to Pilate. In the Jewish trial, Jesus was convicted on blasphemy. Yet, in front of Pilate He was charged with treason.

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