Jesus On Trial
In this series, we take our time to consider the weight of Jesus’ words as they become fewer as he draws ever closer to the cross. Full of meaning, his words offer wisdom to transform our lives as we embrace Jesus’ cross as our own.
Scripture: Luke 22:66-23:5
Throughout history, opinions about Jesus have varied widely—from seeing him as a wise teacher to dismissing him as a myth. The discussion gets murkier when we bring politics into the mix, trying to align Jesus with various agendas. Much like his accusers, our culture has put Jesus on the stand and 2000 years later, it could be said that we’re not any closer to getting a clear answer from him. Like his answer to Pilate, Jesus’ answer to us is the same, “You have said so.” Taken literally, this phrase is translated from just two Greek words which mean “You say”. In this case, Jesus’ intention behind his trite answer teaches us 3 key truths about the injustice of the Cross.
When All is Said and Done
After 3+ years of ministry on this earth, traveling around Judea, performing miracles, and telling sermons, Jesus has done and said everything that needs to be done and said. Jesus’ silence before his inquisitors beyond these 2 words (words repeated from his previous trial in Luke 22:70), tells us how Jesus has now reached the end of his public ministry on earth and has fully accepted the net results which is summed up in his willingness to go to the cross. This is a troubling truth for many believers who are enduring similar persecution today. The fact that Jesus did everything right, said everything that needed to be said, and followed God’s plan to a “T”, and yet the world still killed him, should give us pause when we consider what it means to follow in his footsteps.
True Intentions
Secondly, it’s become clear to Jesus that after enduring 4 different mock trials with 2 still to go, these powerful groups who are questioning him don’t truly intend to hear him but are rather asking questions to hear what they want to hear. Jesus says as much as he tells the council in Luke 22:67-68, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I ask you, you will not answer.” Similarly, this is true for many people in the world today who have put Jesus on trial not as a way of seeking the truth but to confirm the truth that they already believe. For example, atheists tear apart the Bible with the hopes of discovering some fatal flaw that will confirm their suspicions. Even those who claim to be Christian use the Bible only to support the beliefs and the politics that they already had before faith. In this scenario, Pilate’s question “Are you the King of the Jews?” to Jesus highlights his intentions as he is merely looking for a reason to acquit Jesus and he doesn’t actually care if he is King or not. The truth would have no bearing on how his life is lived. He only wants to hear a simple “yes” or “no” so that he can make his judgement but Jesus gives him neither. Jesus gives him “You say” which is to say “yes” he is the King but also “no”, not in the way that Pilate supposes. The fact of the matter is that neither posture allows for Jesus to truly be King. He is the one on the stand and we are the ones questioning him when the truth is that it ought to be the other way around. In other words, if Jesus is truly King then he is the one who holds the power to judge the world and we are the ones who are actually on trial. Similarly, if the Bible is the truth then that means it is meant to question us rather than what is usually the case when we read only to confirm our own judgements on the world.
For Barabbas
Lastly, the reason Jesus remains silent after this interaction is because he has chosen so. This is the path that he chose willingly for all our sakes so that he would take our place of judgement. This great reversal is further punctuated by the last trial where the crowd vehemently chooses Barabbas, a known insurrectionist and murderer, over Jesus who remains silent. The truth here is that Jesus stayed silent for Barabbas, a man who is guilty of all of the things Jesus is accused of. As the Prophet Isaiah spoke of 800 years prior, Jesus was like “a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). Rather than take matters into his own hands, Jesus chose to remain silent before his accusers because he trusted in the Father’s plan to save humanity. He trusted it to the bitter end despite knowing what would happen.
An Unjust Easter
Does this scenario seem wrong to you? Is there a sense of discomfort as you consider Jesus’ innocence taking your place? This Easter, let this injustice unsettle you as we awaken ourselves to the reality of the Cross and what it means as we navigate a world with neverending opinions and agendas. May we too embrace silence before the cross as we remember his sacrifice. In this manner, may we also have ears to truly hear what Jesus has to say through his actions on the Cross.
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