GUILTY AS CHARGED
Tonight I am going to write on a topic that I have never written before. It’s about the Jewish religion law as I know it. We all know that under the Jewish religion law where Jesus had lived blasphemy is subject to the death penalty law. Was Jesus found guilty of blasphemy under the Jewish law? If He was, then Jesus was guilty as charged. The death of anyone who was found guilty on any charge, in front of a firing squad, on an electric chair, lethal injection, or crucified on the cross has no redeeming value, none! And so, I want to invite my readers to examine this issue together with me to determine if Jesus was guilty as charged under the Jewish or Roman law, or whether the Jews crucified Jesus under false charges. The Bible has a complete history of His hearings. Again, if Jesus was found guilty of blasphemy, or other charges, His death on the cross has zero redeeming value, none. The Jews had done nothing wrong under the law. We begin with the trial before Sanhedrin, Matthew 26:57-68.
“And those who had laid hold of Jesus led [Him] away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest's courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end. Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward and said, "This [fellow] said, `I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.'" And the high priest arose and said to Him, "Do You answer nothing? What [is it] these men testify against You?" But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, "I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!" Jesus said to him, "[It is as] you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, "He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! "What do you think?" They answered and said, "He is deserving of death." Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck [Him] with the palms of their hands, saying, "Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?"
Jesus’ trial before Pilate.
“When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor.” Matthew 27:1,2.
“Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?" So Jesus said to him, "[It is as] you say." And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. Then Pilate said to Him, "Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?" But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly. Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, "Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him." But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They said, "Barabbas!" Pilate said to them, "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" [They] all said to him, "Let Him be crucified!" Then the governor said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they cried out all the more, saying, "Let Him be crucified!" When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather [that] a tumult was rising, he took water and washed [his] hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see [to it]." And all the people answered and said, "His blood [be] on us and on our children." Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered [Him] to be crucified.” Matthew 27:11-26. They found Him guilty, as charged.
Readers, here’s a summary of the hearings that Jesus had before the Sanhedrin and before Pilate, the Roman governor. Jesus was given a fair hearing but He refused to answer the charges.
Blasphemy is a serious offense in many countries even today. When you say that you are the Son of God on the streets of Los Angeles, they put you away in a mental hospital. But if you say that you are the Son of Allah in certain African countries, for example, they will not be happy with you.
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