April 4th, 2012
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Jesus Still on Trial

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Opening Prayer

Lord, You are the Reliable One. People, institutions, governments all fail but You are the same yesterday, today and forever.

Read LUKE 22:63-23:12

[63] The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. [64] They blindfolded him and demanded, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” [65] And they said many other insulting things to him. [66] At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. [67] “If you are the Christ,” they said, “tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, [68] and if I asked you, you would not answer. [69] But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” [70] They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You are right in saying I am.” [71] Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.” [1] Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. [2] And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king.” [3] So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. [4] Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” [5] But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.” [6] On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. [7] When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. [8] When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform some miracle. [9] He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. [10] The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. [11] Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. [12] That day Herod and Pilate became friends-before this they had been enemies.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses … to the ends of the world” (Acts 1:8, The Message).

Think Further

After his arrest Jesus was subjected to three trials. First, there was the trial before the full Sanhedrin (“the council”) under the presidency of Caiaphas, the high priest (22:66-71). This hearing, begun immediately after Jesus’ arrest (22:54-65), was formally concluded early the following morning. Next, and almost immediately came the trial before Pilate, the Roman governor (23:1-7). This was followed by a hearing before Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great and tetrarch of Galilee and Perea.

Before the Sanhedrin, Jesus was accused and convicted of committing blasphemy by claiming to be the Son of God (22:70,71). However, only the Roman authorities could pass the capital sentence, so Jesus was brought before Pilate. Cleverly, but unfairly, the prosecution twists the religious charge into a three-fold political accusation which Pilate dare not ignore (23:2): (1) agitating sedition; (2) advocating non-payment of imperial taxes; and (3) claiming to be king. Pilate dismisses these charges and declares Jesus to be innocent on all three counts (23:4,14,22). Conscious of his rather dubious reputation with Tiberius the emperor, he is reluctant to release Jesus and give the Jewish authorities an excuse to make a formal complaint to Rome; so, he refers the case to Herod (23:7).

During the Jerusalem trials the disciples fled. True, John and Peter hung around, but John remained silent and Peter denied he knew Jesus. It’s different now: Jesus has a defense team. The leader is the Holy Spirit, the Advocate (John 15:26), powerfully convincing the jury that right is on Jesus’ side. This Advocate calls on us to testify on his behalf, too. If we ignore his call, can we wonder that a majority remain unconvinced?

Apply

If you were put on trial as a Christian, would the court find enough evidence to convict you? What evidence would you give?

Closing prayer

Holy Spirit of God, I am so grateful that You can use my words of witness, as stumbling as they might be. Take them and use them for Your glory.

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