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MSBC Media PlayerMedia Center
MSBCOC | Bible Studies
The Day We Were Freed: The Ultimate Injustice
By Chuck Missler |
Koinonia House
Each
Easter season we celebrate the series of injustices that led to the conviction
of the innocent and the acquittal of the guilty. There were six trials that
fateful night: three Jewish trials- before Annas (John 18:12-14. ), before
Caiaphas (John 18:19-24), and before the Sanhedrin (Matthew 27:1,2); and three
Roman trials-before Pilate (John 18:28-38), before Herod (Luke 23:6-11), and
then again before Pilate (John 18:39-19:16).
It is particularly disturbing to discover that virtually every legal detail was contrary to the prevailing laws which had been designed to protect the innocent.
Legal Irregularities
The binding of a prisoner before he was condemned was unlawful unless resistance was offered or expected. Jesus offered none (John 18:12, 24). It was illegal for judges to participate in the arrest of the accused (John 18:3).
No legal transactions, including a trial, could be conducted at night (John 18:28). The arrest was effected through the agency of an informer and traitor (John 18:5; Ex 23:6-8). While an acquittal could be pronounced the same day, any other verdict required a majority of two and had to come on a subsequent day (Matthew 26:65,66).
No prisoner could be convicted on his own evidence (Matthew 26:63-65). It was the duty of a judge to see that the interest of the accused was fully protected (John 18:14). Preliminary hearings before a magistrate were completely foreign to the Jewish legal system (John 18:13).
It was illegal to carry weapons on a feast day (Matthew 26:47; John 18:). The use of violence during the trial was apparently unopposed by the judges (John 18:22,23). It was illegal to conduct a session of the court on a feast day (John 18:28). The judges sought false witnesses against Jesus (Matthew 26:59; Mark 14:56). In a Jewish court, the accused was to be assumed innocent until proven guilty by two or more witnesses (Mark 11:53). The Jews failed to find two witnesses agreeing against Jesus (Mark 14:59). When the witnesses first disagreed, the prisoner should have been re-leased (Mark 14:56-59). No witness was ever called for the defense (Isaiah 53:7).
The trial under Caiaphas took place in his home rather than the council chamber where it should have been held (John 18:13-16). The Court lacked the civil authority to condemn a man to death (John 18:31).
The high priest rent his garment. He was never permitted to tear his official robe. (If he did not have on his priestly robe, he couldn't have put Christ under oath.)
A guilty verdict was rendered without evidence (John 18:30). The balloting was illegal. It should have been by roll with the young-est voting first. Here it is simultaneous (Matthew 26:66). The sentence was finally passed in the palace of the high priest, but the law demanded it be pronounced in the Temple, in the hall of hewn stone (John 18:28; (cf. Lev 21:10)).
Why No Defense?
We often ponder the fact that no defense was made. This was, of course, according the prophecies of the Old Testament: "He opened not His mouth" (Isaiah 53:7). Do you know why? Because He was in our shoes: and we are guilty.
It is significant that He was pronounced innocent by the personal representative of the ruler of the world (John 18:38). Even Satan, having entered into Judas, declared His innocence (Luke 22:3; Matthew 27:4). To fully understand our own predicament, we need to examine more carefully Barabbas!
The Gospel According to Barabbas
The substitution of Barabbas over Jesus before Pilate on that fateful day has profound implications for each of us. It is illuminating to examine the contrast between the two accused more closely:
- Barabbas stood under the righteous condemnation of the law.
- Barabbas knew the One who was to take his cross and take his place was innocent.
- Barabbas knew that Jesus Christ was for him a true substitute.
- Barabbas knew that he had done nothing to merit going free while another took his place.
- Barabbas knew Christ's death was for him perfectly efficacious.
Barabbas and Jesus changed places!
The murderer's bonds, curse, disgrace, and mortal agony were transferred to the righteous Jesus; while the liberty, innocence, safety, and well-being of the immaculate Nazarene became the lot of the murderer. Barabbas is installed in all the rights and privileges of Jesus Christ; while the latter enters upon all the infamy and horror of the rebel's position. Both mutually inherit each other's situation and what they possess: The delinquent's guilt and cross become the lot of the Just One, and all the civil rights and immunities of the latter are the property of the delinquent. - John W. Lawrence, The Six Trials of Jesus, Kregel Publishing Co., Grand Rapids MI 1996, p.181
We, you and I, are also now in Barabbas' shoes!
What is our response? Is that redemption the most important priority in your life? Your own personal "verdict" regarding that fateful day is the most important decision in your life. And it isn't as simple as a "once and for all" resolution: it should include a moment-by-moment reprioritization of every-thing in your life. And, it will determine your eternal destiny.
Commit some serious time to reflect on all this during this very special season of the year.
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