Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins

Jesus' Trial and Crucifixion In our justice-oriented society we expect a trial to be an honest attempt at determining the guilt or innocence of the accused. Some, however, have been little more than a “kangaroo court,” thumbing their collective noses at this concept of justice. Some two thousand years ago such a trial took place, with Jesus as defendant. His life had been free from any violation of law—man’s or God’s—but the leaders of the people were determined to rid themselves of Him. He had shaken their comfortable, yet rebellious lives, and they wanted to stop Him. Though innocent, He was declared guilty. The trial was begun in the early morning hours of the Friday of Passover week. Jesus had observed that feast with His apostles, then went to the Garden of Gethsemane where His trial was within Himself. He knew of the shame and the pain He would endure for the redemption of mankind. Yet, He was ready to go to the trial—and to the Cross. The following is an abbreviated outline of the two major trials Jesus faced. Knowing of these events will benefit all of us. The Jewish, or Ecclesiastical Trial At the house of Annas, John 18:13. Providing the time to collect a quorum of the Sanhedrin. This was necessary in order for them to conduct business. At the house of Caiaphas, John 18:13-27; Luke 22:24-71; Mark 15:54-72; Matthew 26:57-75. Here, Peter denies Jesus thrice, then goes out to weep. Before the Sanhedrin in The Hall of Hewn Stone. This was the official meeting place of the Sanhedrin. By law, all official business was to be conducted here including trials and investigations concerning blasphemy. It appears this was a mere technicality since they already had declared Him “guilty,” Matthew 26:65-75. Charges leveled against Jesus included blasphemy, sedition, claiming to be king, and refusing to pay taxes to Caesar, all of which were patently false. The Roman, or Civil Trial Before Pontius Pilate, in the place of Gabbatha. This was in another part of the Hall of Hewn Stone, one part for Jews only, but the other open to Gentiles. This may indicate just how desperate the Sanhedrin was determined to execute Jesus. Roman law required Pilate’s approval of a trial or a sentence of death. He rejected the charge of blasphemy as not being in his jurisdiction, so the charges were changed to sedition, etc. Under questioning, Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world,” John 18:36. Hearing Jesus mention “Galilee” Pilate sent Jesus to Herod, but Jesus refused to respond. Before Pilate Again. Fearing an uprising, Pilate tried to placate the Jews, offering Barabbas in Jesus’ stead. Seeking to wash his hands of complicity in the matter, he stated, “I find no cause of death in Him,” Luke 23:22. The most shocking thing about both trials is the obvious lack of concern for truth and justice. The Jews, prodded by the chief priests, ignored the innocence of Jesus and demanded His crucifixion. The Sanhedrin ignored their own carefully established rules for evidence, flaunting their contempt for those rules by their behavior. The following illegalities of Jesus’ trial can be found in Edersheim’s (Life and Times of Jesus, the Messiah) Vol. II, pages 546-581, H. I. Hester’s Heart of the New Testament, pages 205-213, and International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, pages 2688-2690. All criminal cases were to be tried during daylight hours only. It was forbidden for them even to gather at night. The Jewish trial was completed between the hours of 1:00 am and 5:00 am, an obvious infraction of their own rules. No trial could be held during the Passover season; on the day before any feast, or the Sabbath eve. No verdict was valid unless the trial was publicly held in the established place of meeting, the Hall of Hewn Stone. All evidence was to be verified by two or more witnesses, separately examined. False testimony was punishable by death. The only witnesses called were bribed and gave conflicting testimony. The accused could not even be asked a question, the answer of which might imply his guilt. (This rule was even more restrictive than our own Constitution’s “Fifth Amendment). Their only “evidence” was obtained in this way. Only a verdict of innocence could be considered on the day of the trial’s beginning. This trial was begun and completed in less than twelve hours—again an obvious violation. This trial was a mockery of any man’s justice. These matters are made available to you for your study and contemplation of the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. It will not take long to realize that this was an emotionally and physically stressful time for Jesus, and we can only imagine the stress and grief it must have brought to our Heavenly Father as He watched His only Son die for your sins and mine. Carl B. Garner

Where Joy CAN and CANNOT Be Found Men have pursued joy in every avenue imaginable. Some have successfully found it while others have not. Perhaps it would be easier to describe where joy cannot be found: Not in Unbelief - Voltaire was an infidel of the most pronounced type. He wrote: "I wish I had never been born." Not in Pleasure - Lord Byron lived a life of pleasure if anyone did. He wrote: "The worm, the canker, and grief are mine alone." Not in Money - Jay Gould, the American millionaire, had plenty of that. When dying, he said: "I suppose I am the most miserable man on earth." Not in Position and Fame - Lord Beaconsfield enjoyed more than his share of both. He wrote: "Youth is a mistake; manhood a struggle; old age a regret." Not in Military Glory - Alexander the Great conquered the known world in his day. Having done so, he wept in his tent, before he said, "There are no more worlds to conquer." Where then is real joy found? - the answer is simple, in Christ and His church. I guess this is why Paul wrote, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). Solomon, sought joy in every place imaginable, but looking back he declared, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13). by Tom Moore