Condemned though innocent

Read > Luke 22:66-23:25

For the third time he demanded, “Why? What crime has He committed? I have found no reason to sentence Him to death” (23:22).

We’ve all read stories of people who have been held unjustly without trial for many years, but Jesus underwent six trials in just 12 hours between His arrest and His unjust condemnation!

Jesus’ trials began in the assembly of the elders which included the leading priests and the teachers of religious law, or the Sanhedrin. This “kangaroo court” was convened illegally before dawn, with no witnesses called. The aim was to force through the verdict that Jesus should die. Then, the Jewish leaders went to the Romans to endorse their decision (Luke 23:1-5), for the Sanhedrin had no power to impose capital punishment (John 18:31).

Pilate didn’t take long to conclude that the Jews had no case against Jesus. He declared, “I find nothing wrong with this Man” (Luke 23:4). Relieved to hear that Jesus was from Galilee, he quickly shipped this “hot potato” case to Herod, who happened to be in Jerusalem (vv. 6-12). Herod hoped Jesus would entertain him with a miracle. But when Jesus wouldn’t converse with him, he insulted and humiliated Jesus and sent Him back to Pilate without finding any fault with Him (vv. 13-25). Two more times, Pilate pronounced Him, “Not guilty” (vv. 14, 22). Not satisfied, the crowd now screamed, “Crucify Him!” But only after He had been whipped severely.

Jesus, however, wasn’t simply a victim of injustice. He predicted this event would take place (Matthew 20:18-19). Actually, 750 years earlier, the prophet Isaiah had predicted it would happen: “He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed” (53:5).

Jesus’ didn’t suffer for any wrong that He did. It was for your sins and mine that He endured the cruelties of that day. He took our place of punishment! Pour out your thanks to Him today. – C. P. Hia

More >

·         Acts 2:22-23

·         2 Corinthians 5:21

·         1 Peter 2:22-24

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What instances of unfairness trouble you today? How has Jesus’ willingness to suffer for a righteous cause helped you endure insults for His sake?