God is a God of justice.
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;
therefore he will
rise up to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice.
Blessed are all
who wait for him! (Is. 30:18)
There are many verses that validate this
aspect of his character. His justice is
always perfect because he knows everything about every situation including the
thoughts and motivations of the heart of the person or persons committing the
injustice. Injustice is usually
associated with someone exerting power over another person to force them to do
what they want. Jesus experience this at
the hands of the Jewish leaders and the Roman government during the last days
of his life. When Jesus was treated unjustly, the depth of the injustice was
greater than what we as human beings could experience because he knew
everything that was involved in the situation.
Jesus understands what it is like to be treated unjustly and as we go
through the incidents that he experienced during his final days it will become
more clear to us what he endured.
The timeline of the events that took place
that led to the crucifixion of Jesus is important and will help us understand
what happened in such a short time.
1.
Arrest in the garden (Mt.
26:45-55; Lk. 22:47-53; Jn 18:1-12)
2.
Trial 1 Jesus before Annas (Jn
18:13-24)
3.
Trial 2 Jesus before Caiaphas
((Jn 18:13-24)
4.
Trial 3 Jesus before the
Sanhedrin (Lk. 22:66-71;
5.
Trial 4 Jesus before Pilate
(Mt. 27:1-14; Mk. 15:1-5; Lk 23:1-6; Jn 18:28-38)
6.
Trial 5 Jesus before Herod
Antipas (Lk. 23: 6-12)
7.
Trial 6 Jesus before Pilate
(Lk. 23:13-25)
8.
executed by crucifixion (Mt.
27:32-44; Mk. 15:21-32; Lk. 23:26-34; Jn. 19:16-24)
It is important that we first understand a
little about the relationship between the Jews and Roman government.
The Jews were under the control of the Roman
government. They were given some
self-government but they did not have the right to put anyone to death. 40
years before the destruction of the Temple, judgment in matters of life and
death were taken away from them, only Caesar had that right. Legally the Jews had no right to put anyone
to death.
According to Jewish law in Leviticus 24:16
any one who blasphemes the Lord was to be put to death by stoning. The hands of the witnesses were to be the
first ones to throw the stones (DT. 17:7).
It was obvious that the Jewish leaders
wanted Jesus put to death but they were unable to do it as noted by the Roman
law. They had to contrive a plan to
convince the Roman authorities that Jesus had committed a crime punishable by
death. The Jews from start to finish were seeking to use Pilate for their
purposes. They could not kill Jesus themselves, so they were determined that
the Romans would kill him for them.
In order for the Jews to put Jesus on trial
they had to arrest him in a private area away from the crowds who had come to
Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. It
was estimated that there were 3,000,000 people in Jerusalem at the celebration.
The arrest of Jesus had to take place a
night. If it were to take place during
the day there would be a possibility of a riot by the people who admired Jesus
and thought of him as the promised Messiah.
In order to make this happen Judas became the key player to set up the
arrest scene. He sold his soul for a
mere 30 pieces of silver and led the Jewish leaders and the band of 200+
soldiers to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. The number of soldiers sent to arrest Jesus
indicated that they thought there may be trouble at his arrest and they wanted
to make sure everything was under control.
John’s recounting of the arrest noted that
Jesus was first brought to Annas. He was an ex high priest who held this
position from AD 6-15. He remained a
powerful figure even though he was not the current High Priest. The position of High Priest formerly was an office
held for the life time of the Priest but when the Roman government took control
everything changed. The office became a
matter of contention and intrigue and bribery and corruption. The highest bidder who was willing to comply
with the Roman government, was given the office. Each of Annas’ 4 sons were
appointed High Priests and the current High Priest, Caiaphas, at the time of
the arrest of Jesus was the son-in-law of Annas.
The family of Annas was very corrupt and
gained much of their wealth by extortion.
“Even the way in which Annas made his money
was most probably disgraceful. In the Court of the Gentiles there were the
sellers of victims for the sacrifices, those sellers whom Jesus had driven out.
They were not traders; they were extortioners. Every victim offered in the
Temple had to be without spot and blemish. There were inspectors to see that it
was so. If a victim was bought outside the Temple it was certain that a flaw
would be found. The worshipper was then directed to buy at the Temple booths
where the victims had already been examined and where there was no risk of
rejection. That would have been convenient and helpful but for one thing.
Outside the Temple a pair of doves could cost as little as 4 pence; inside they
could cost as much as 75 pence. The whole business was sheer exploitation; and
the shops where the Temple victims were sold were called The Bazaars of Annas.
They were the property of the family of Annas; it was by the exploitation of
the worshippers, by trading on the sacred sacrifices that Annas had amassed a
fortune. The Jews themselves hated the household of Annas.
Now we can see why Annas arranged that
Jesus should be brought first to him. Jesus was the man who had attacked Annas'
vested interest; he had cleared the Temple of the sellers of victims and had
hit Annas where it hurt--in his pocket. Annas wanted to be the first to gloat
over the capture of this disturbing Galilaean.”
Wm Barclay
The examination of Annas was a mockery of
justice. Jewish law declared that a
prisoner must not be asked any questions that would incriminate him. The penalty of death could not be given based
on the confession of the person being tried.
Annas violated the Jewish law by asking Jesus questions. Jesus called him on this and told him to ask
questions of people who had heard him. After Jesus held him accountable for his
action, he was slapped by one of the officers.
Jesus was then taken to Caiaphas the High
Priest were the Jewish leaders made false accusations and mocked Jesus. They had to fill in time before daylight when
they could officially put Jesus on trial.
The Jewish Sanhedrin was the group
responsible for bringing the charges against Jesus.
The Sanhedrin was the supreme court of the
Jews. In particular it had complete jurisdiction over all religious and
theological matters. It was composed of seventy members. Scribes, Rabbis and
Pharisees, priests and Sadducees, and elders were all represented on it. It
could not meet during the hours of darkness. That is why they held Jesus until
the morning before they brought him before it. It could meet only in the Hall
of Hewn Stone in the Temple court. The High Priest was its president. The
manner in which the trial of Jesus was conducted was unjust and violated the
procedures the Sanhedrin had established.
“We possess the rules of procedure of the
Sanhedrin. Perhaps they are only the ideal which was never fully carried out;
but at least they allow us to see what the Jews, at their best, conceived that
the Sanhedrin should be and how far their actions fell short of their own
ideals in the trial of Jesus. The court sat in a semi-circle, in which every
member could see every other member. Facing the court stood the prisoner
dressed in mourning dress. Behind him sat the rows of the students and disciples
of the Rabbis. They might speak in defense of the prisoner but not against him.
Vacancies in the court were probably filled by co-option from these students.
All charges must be supported by the evidence of two witnesses independently
examined. A member of the court might speak against the prisoner, and then
change his mind and speak for him, but not vice-versa. When a verdict was due,
each member had to give his individual judgment, beginning at the youngest and
going on to the most senior. For acquittal a majority of one was all that was
necessary; for condemnation there must be a majority of at least two. Sentence
of death could never be carried out on the day on which it was given; a night
must elapse so that the court might sleep on it, so that, perchance, their
condemnation might turn to mercy. The whole procedure was designed for mercy;
and, even from Luke's summary account, it is clear that the Sanhedrin, when it
tried Jesus, was far from keeping its own rules and regulations.
Jesus was then brought to Pilate. Pilate
was a very troubled man and he did not know how to handle the situation
presented to him. The history of his
life helps us understand a little bit why he consented to the crucifixion of
Jesus." Wm. Barclay
Palestine was not an easy province to
govern. It was under the control of the Emperor
who sent his military there to keep the people under control. A procurator was given the assignment of
keeping law and order and this was the position Pilate was given in AD 26. Pilate was a failure in his position of
procurator or governor. There were three
incidences that marked his career.
“The first occurred on his first visit to
Jerusalem. Jerusalem was not the capital of the province; its headquarters were
at Caesarea. But the procurator paid many visits to Jerusalem, and, when he
did, he stayed in the old palace of the Herods in the west part of the city.
When he came to Jerusalem, he always came with a detachment of soldiers. The
soldiers had their standards; and on the top of the standard there was a little
bust in metal of the reigning Emperor. The Emperor was regarded as a god, and
to the Jew that little bust on the standards was a graven image.
All previous Roman governors, in deference
to the religious scruples of the Jews, had removed that image before they
entered the city. Pilate refused to do so. The Jews besought him to do so.
Pilate was adamant; he would not pander to the superstitions of the Jews. He
went back to Caesarea. The Jews followed him. They dogged his footsteps for
five days. They were humble, but determined in their requests. Finally he told
them to meet him in the amphitheatre. He surrounded them with armed soldiers,
and informed them that if they did not stop their requests they would be killed
there and then. The Jews bared their necks and bade the soldiers strike. Not
even Pilate could massacre defenseless men like that. He was beaten and
compelled to agree that the images should thereafter be removed from the
standards. That was how Pilate began, and it was a bad beginning.
The second incident was this. The Jerusalem
water supply was inadequate. Pilate determined to build a new aqueduct. Where
was the money to come from? He raided the Temple treasury which contained
millions. It is very unlikely that Pilate took money that was deposited for the
sacrifices and the Temple service. Much more likely, he took money which was
entitled Korban, and which came from sources which made it impossible to use
for sacred purposes. His aqueduct was much needed; it was a worthy and a great undertaking;
the water supply would even be of great benefit to the Temple which needed much
cleansing with its continual sacrifices. But the people resented it; they
rioted and surged through the streets. Pilate mingled his soldiers with them in
plain clothes, with concealed weapons. At a given signal they attacked the mob
and many a Jew was clubbed or stabbed to death. Once again Pilate was
unpopular--and he was rendered liable to be reported to the Emperor.
The third incident turned out even worse
for Pilate. As we have seen, when he was in Jerusalem, he stayed in the ancient
palace of the Herods. He had certain shields made; and on them he had inscribed
the name of Tiberius the Emperor. These shields were what is known as votive
shields; they were devoted to the honour and the memory of the Emperor. Now the
Emperor was regarded as a god; so here was the name of a strange god inscribed
and displayed for reverence in the holy city. The people were enraged; the
greatest men, even his closest supporters, besought Pilate to remove them. He
refused. The Jews reported the matter to Tiberius the Emperor, and he ordered
Pilate to remove them.” Wm. Barclay
Pilate’s history of failures did not need
one more item added to it that could cause him to lose his position. The Jewish leaders knew this and used it to
their advantage.
"It is to be very carefully noted that the
charge the Sanhedrin finally produced against Jesus was one of blasphemy. To
claim to be the Son of God was an insult to God's majesty and therefore
blasphemy, and punishable by death.
Before Pilate that charge was never even
mentioned. They knew well that it would have carried no weight with him, and
that he would never have proceeded on a charge which would have seemed to him a
matter of Jewish religion and superstition. The charge they levelled against
Jesus was entirely political, and it has all the marks of the minds and
ingenuity of the Sadducees. It was really the aristocratic, collaborationist
Sadducees who achieved the crucifixion of Jesus, in their terror lest he should
prove a disturbing element and produce a situation in which they would lose
their wealth, their comfort and their power.
Their charge before Pilate was really
threefold. They charged Jesus (a) with seditious agitation; (b) with
encouraging men not to pay tribute to Caesar; (c) with assuming the title king.
Every single item of the charge was a lie, and they knew it. They resorted to
the most calculated and malicious lies in their well-nigh insane desire to
eliminate Jesus.” Wm. Barclay
Pilate after the first trial send Jesus to
Herod Antipas. He was the son of Herod
the Great who murdered children after the visit of the 3 wisemen who came
seeking King Jesus. He wanted Jesus to
put on a show for him and do a miracle.
He questioned Jesus for a long time but Jesus did not answer him. Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate.
Pilate could find no fault in Jesus as he
had not committed any crime punishable by death.
Pilate tried to placate the Jews but they
would have nothing of it. They wanted
Jesus dead.
"Throughout the trial his conduct is
well-nigh incomprehensible. It is abundantly clear, it could not be clearer,
that Pilate knew that the charges of the Jews were a series of lies that he
knew that Jesus was completely innocent, that he was deeply impressed with him,
and that he did not wish to condemn him to death--and yet he did. First, he
tried to refuse to deal with the case; then he tried to release Jesus on the
grounds that at the Passover a criminal was always released; then he tried to
compromise by scourging Jesus; then he made a last appeal. But he refused all
through to put his foot down and tell the Jews that he would have nothing to do
with their evil machinations.
It is clear why Pilate acted as he did. The
Jews blackmailed him into crucifying Jesus. They said: "If you let this
man go, you are not Caesar's friend." This was, in effect: "Your
record is not too good; you were reported once before; if you do not give us
our way, we will report you again to the Emperor, and you will be dismissed."
On that day in Jerusalem, Pilate's past rose up and haunted him. He was
blackmailed into assenting to the death of Christ, because his previous
mistakes had made it impossible for him both to defy the Jews and to keep his
post. Somehow one cannot help being sorry for Pilate. He wanted to do the right
thing; but he had not the courage to defy the Jews and do it. He crucified
Jesus in order to keep his job.
Pilate gave in to the demands of the Jews
and allowed the crucifixion to take place.
The routine of crucifixion was always the
same. When the case had been heard and the criminal condemned, the judge
uttered the fateful sentence: "Ibis ad crucem," "You will go to
the cross." The verdict was carried out there and then. The condemned man
was placed in the centre of a quaternion, a company of four Roman soldiers. His
own cross was placed upon his shoulders. Scourging always preceded crucifixion
and it is to be remembered how terrible scourging was. Often the criminal had
to be lashed and goaded along the road, to keep him on his feet, as he
staggered to the place of crucifixion. Before him walked an officer with a
placard on which was written the crime for which he was to die and he was led
through as many streets as possible on the way to execution. There was a double
reason for that. There was the grim reason that as many as possible should see
and take warning from his fate. But there was a merciful reason. The placard
was carried before the condemned man and the long route was chosen, so that if
anyone could still bear witness in his favour, he might come forward and do so.
In such a case, the procession was halted and the case retried.
Throughout this
entire ordeal Jesus remained silent. He
allowed all the injustices to take place without saying anything in his
defense. He knew his identity, purpose
and his destiny and that if he was lifted up all men would be drawn to him. The cross was the way God lifted him up and
we are the benefactors of what Jesus endured for us. The one who knew no sin was made to be sin
for us. His unjust death met the just
demands of God for a perfect sacrifice to be offered for the forgiveness of all
the sins of mankind, past, present and future." Wm Barclay
I pray that each of you has a
greater understanding of the injustices Jesus suffered for our sake and that we
each have a greater appreciation for what he endured for our salvation.
As followers of Christ we too may suffer
injustices for our beliefs. The same
hatred Jesus experienced is also being experienced by believers in countries
that oppose Christianity. We like Jesus must know how to respond when
situations of injustice happen in our lives or the lives of people we
meet. God is a God of justice and he
wants us to bring justice to the oppressed.
Jesus came to set the captives free and we have a responsibility to do
the same.
Peter witnessed the injustice and suffering
Jesus experienced and gave this counsel.
Now who will harm you if you are eager to
do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are
blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts
sanctify Christ as Lord. (1 Pt. 3:13-15)
I listened to a missionary who recounted
the story of a believer who was imprisoned for his faith. He was treated inhumanly by the prison guards
as well as the 1,500 inmates who were the most violent criminals. They threw food at him and even human
waste. He was beaten often and was daily
subject to horrible abuse. The goal was
to get him to renounce his faith and sign a paper to admit he was part of an
insurrection to overthrow the government.
Throughout his imprisonment he refused to deny Christ and the prison
officials were exasperated in their attempts to change him. But one day they sent people to his home,
1,000 miles away and took some clothing from his wife. Then they made another woman wear the clothes
and brought her to the prison to drag her in front of his cell. Her face was not toward him but he recognized
the clothing as his wife had only 2 sets of clothes to wear. She was then taken to a cell close to him and
for 72 hours she was raped. He heard everything that was happening and it ripped at his heart. Finally her cries ceased, she was dead. This was more than he could bear and he told
God it was over. He was going to sign
the paper and deny his faith so he could leave the prison and look for his
family. But that night the Holy Spirit
spoke to him and allowed him to hear the voice of his wife and children. He knew they were alive and that the woman
they dressed to be his wife was not his wife.
When the prison officials came to have him sign the papers, he told them
he had heard the voice of his wife and that she was alive. He refused to sign the papers and told them
to leave his cell. The prison officials decided he had to die and he was led
out to the area where he would be hung.
As he left his cell and walked past the other 1,500 inmates, they all
stood at attention to honor him and they began to sing the songs they heard him
sing in his cell for the past 18 years.
The prison officials could not carry out his execution and released him.
We may never experience this level of
injustice and suffering but we must not forget that there are many today who
are and they need our prayers as well as any efforts we can do to help them be released.
