They Condemned The Innocent And Released The Guilty: The Trial Of Jesus Christ Reveals The Wickedness Of Man And The Willing Sacrifice Of The Son Of God

The most important question you will ever answer is simply this – “who is Jesus Christ?” Your answer to that question will determine nothing less than your eternal destiny. If you were brought into a courtroom on the charge of being a Bible believing Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? You better think about that, because we will put you on trial today. Jesus was put on trial, brought into a courtroom, and charged with the crime of being the Son of God. This is how it went.

“And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.” John 1:34 (KJB)

The chief priests sought testimony that would justify His death for “making himself equal with God”, but their false professors could not agree. Pilate examined Him and found no fault concerning their accusations, then reported that Herod had established nothing worthy of death either. Judas, the man who betrayed Him, confessed later that he had betrayed innocent blood. The Roman centurion standing at His crucifixion, who had personally overseen the nails being driven into Jesus body, declared Him to be righteous and he identified Him as the Son of God. Even Caiaphas, while plotting His destruction, wound up unintentionally prophesying that Jesus would die for the nation. What an astounding record we have before us! The betrayal, examinations, and execution produced testimony supporting the very One they sought to condemn. Their actions exposed how far men are willing to go when protecting their position becomes more important than receiving and acknowledging the truth. First, we put Jesus on trial and examine the evidence against HIm. Next, we put you on trial for the crime of being a Christian to see if the Bible says you’re guilty or innocent. That’s today’s Sunday Service message!

THE BIBLE BELIEVERS SUNDAY SERVICE: Putting Jesus On Trial

Putting Jesus On Trial

MAIN TEXT — A prosecution that could not establish its case

“And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.” Mark 14:55,56 (KJB)

The stated objective was to put Jesus to death. The witnesses were sought to accomplish that objective, but their testimony would not agree. They had determined the punishment before they had established the charge.

“Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.” Matthew 12:13,14 (KJB)

TRUTH — The innocent Saviour was condemned by guilty men

The question before our courtroom is twofold: What wrongdoing could these witnesses establish against Jesus, and what does their testimony reveal about who He is?

 

THE WITNESSES CALLED FOR THE PROSECUTION

I. Caiaphas — The high priest whose murderous counsel contained a prophecy

First, hear what the council acknowledged:

“Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.” John 11:47 (KJB)

Their deliberation proceeded from an acknowledgment of His miracles. They feared what would happen to their position and nation if everyone believed on Him.

Then Caiaphas spoke:

“Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.” John 11:50 (KJB)

Scripture supplies the meaning that went beyond his political calculation:

“And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;” John 11:51 (KJB)

Caiaphas later accused Jesus of blasphemy when Jesus affirmed His identity before the council. We must retain that part of his testimony. The very same high priest who used his free will to  seek Jesus death wound up prophesying as to its sacrificial and salvific purpose.

Finding: The council acknowledged His miracles, and Caiaphas’s counsel became a prophecy of His death for others. His hostility could not prevent God from declaring the purpose of the cross through his own mouth.

II. Pontius Pilate — The governor who examined Him and found no fault

“Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:” Luke 23:14 (KJB)

Pilate’s declaration followed an examination conducted before the accusers. He addressed the charges they had brought and reported that he had found no fault concerning those accusations.

Nevertheless, he eventually gave sentence according to their demand.

Finding: The governor authorized the crucifixion of a man whom he had publicly declared faultless concerning the charges before him. His sentence contradicted his own finding.

III. Herod — Glad To See Jesus, Then Willing To Mock Him

“And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.” Luke 23:8 (KJB)

Herod’s first response was excitement. He had heard much about Jesus, had wanted to see Him for some time, and hoped to witness a miracle. He began this encounter eager to see what Jesus would do.

But Jesus would not perform at his command:

“Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.” Luke 23:9 (KJB)

As the chief priests and scribes vehemently accused Jesus, Herod’s initial gladness gave way to contempt:

“And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.” Luke 23:11 (KJB)

Nevertheless, Pilate subsequently reported that Herod’s examination had established nothing worthy of death:

“No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.” Luke 23:15 (KJB)

Finding: Herod wanted to witness Jesus’ miraculous power, yet ultimately joined in mocking Him. His contempt supplied no evidence of a capital offense. He could ridicule the prisoner, but his examination established no grounds for putting Him to death.

IV. Judas Iscariot — The betrayer who confessed that the blood was innocent

“Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.” Matthew 27:4 (KJB)

Judas had accompanied Jesus as one of the twelve. After betraying Him, he returned to the chief priests and elders with a confession that placed the guilt upon himself.

The response of the religious leaders is equally revealing. His declaration of innocent blood did not move them to stop what they had begun.

Finding: The betrayer’s recorded confession identifies his own sin and Jesus’ innocence. The man who delivered Him into their hands testified against the righteousness of what they were doing.

V. The Roman centurion — The witness at the execution who declared His righteousness and Sonship

“Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.” Luke 23:47 (KJB)

Mark records this declaration:

“And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.” Mark 15:39 (KJB)

Here is testimony from the Roman officer standing at the crucifixion. The Gospel record gives us both his acknowledgment of Jesus’ righteousness and his declaration that Jesus was the Son of God.

Finding: A witness stationed at His execution supplied testimony supporting both His innocence and His identity.

THE WITNESSES CALLED FOR THE DEFENSE

VI. The thief on the cross — The guilty man who recognized the innocent King

How it started:

“The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.” Matthew 27:44 (KJB)

“Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.” Mark 15:31,32 (KJB)

How it ended:

“And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” Luke 23:41,42 (KJB)

The thief acknowledged that his own punishment was deserved. In the same breath, he distinguished Jesus from himself and the other criminal. Then he addressed the crucified Jesus as Lord and appealed to Him concerning His coming kingdom.

Finding: The thief confessed his own guilt, declared Jesus’ innocence, and placed his hope in Jesus’ kingly authority. He saw a King where others saw only a condemned man.

VII. John the Baptist — The forerunner who identified the Lamb and the Son

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29 (KJB)

“And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.” John 1:34 (KJB)

John’s testimony identifies both the person and the mission of Jesus Christ. He is the Son of God, and He is the Lamb of God who takes away sin.

Finding: Jesus came with a sacrificial mission. His innocence belongs at the center of that mission: the Lamb would bear the sins of others.

VIII. The apostle John — The witness who committed the evidence to writing

“And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” John 20:30,31 (KJB)

John states why he recorded these signs. His testimony calls the reader to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and to receive life through His name.

Finding: The written record presents evidence with a declared purpose: faith in Jesus Christ and life through Him. The Bible will not allow you to remain neutral, the reader must now respond to the testimony.

IX. Saul, who becomes known as Paul — The persecutor who encountered the risen Christ

First, hear his testimony concerning his former opposition:

“I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.” Acts 26:9 (KJB)

Then hear his account of the encounter that overturned his course:

“And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.” Acts 26:15 (KJB)

Paul also records his place among the witnesses of the risen Christ:

“And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.” 1 Corinthians 15:8 (KJB)

His subsequent testimony declares the saving purpose of the Lord he once opposed:

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15 (KJB)

Finding: A former persecutor became a witness of the risen Jesus and a preacher of His salvation. His testimony adds the resurrection to the evidence already heard concerning Christ’s innocence and identity.

APPLICATION — What the testimony establishes

The witnesses establish several distinct truths:

• The case against Jesus depended upon false testimony that would not agree.
• Pilate found no fault concerning the accusations and reported no capital finding from Herod.
• Judas confessed that he had betrayed innocent blood.
• The thief and the centurion declared Jesus’ innocence or righteousness.
• The centurion and John the Baptist identified Him as the Son of God.
• John recorded the signs so that others would believe, and Paul testified that he had seen Him risen.

The proceedings expose more than a failure of justice. They expose the human heart. Men could acknowledge miracles, hear declarations of innocence, and still press forward with His death.

CLOSING CHALLENGE — Why did the innocent One die?

Paul gives the answer:

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 1 Corinthians 15:3,4 (KJB)

His death was for our sins. His resurrection is part of the gospel proclaimed by the very man who once persecuted His people.

The trial brings every hearer to a personal decision. Pilate acknowledged His innocence and still delivered Him up anyway. The thief acknowledged His innocence and called upon Him as Lord after spitting on him and mocking him. It is worth mentioning that no surviving first-century independent eyewitness accounts are known that demonstrate Jesus committed any crime or supplies a detailed rebuttal of any the Gospel proceedings. Not a single eyewitness refutes a single word of preserved scripture.

Having heard the testimony, what will you do with Jesus who is called Christ?

Christian, how do you plead to the following charges?

“And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Mark 8:34 (KJB)

“And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” Acts 11:26 (KJB)

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJB)

• Handing out gospel tracts, Guilty or not Guilty?
• Not laughing at crude and profane humor, Guilty or not Guilty?
• Witnessing for Jesus especially when it costs you something, Guilty or not Guilty?
• Doing daily Bible study and having a prayer time, Guilty or not Guilty?
• Living life sober, Guilty or not Guilty?
• Giving other people a copy of God’s preserved word, Guilty or not Guilty?
• Trusting the LORD with all your mind, body and soul, Guilty or not Guilty?

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