Under the cover of darkness in the middle of the night that Jesus was betrayed by Judas. Surrounded by the armed guards from the Sanhedrin with accompanying Roman Soldiers, Jesus was arrested around midnite. There was no charge of a crime other than being Jesus of Nazareth. Initially He was taken to the home of Annas, the “retired chief priest”, father-in-law to Caiaphas the current chief priest. (John 18:13). Every detail from His arrest through His trial was a travesty of Justice. The rules of the Jewish courts were all broken throughout this trial. The Lord of Lord and King of Kings was placed on trial by these self-righteous men. The greatest injustice of all times, yet how did Jesus respond?
Jesus spent the hours before His betrayal in agonizing prayer with the Father. He knew every detail of what was coming. So, it was as the crowd surrounded Him for His arrest, He walked out to them—calm, cool, and collected. As they asked for Him, they were carrying torches and weapons. They must have appeared frightening to have so many. Jesus said, “whom do you seek? They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus saith unto them I am He…as soon as He said, ‘I am He, they went backward and fell to the ground.” John 18:4-6. His voice was enough. And His presence of strength such that they fainted briefly. Yet, Jesus did not flinch nor run with this opportunity. Instead, He stood firm and asked again, “Whom do you seek? And again responded, “I am He”.
Then Peter cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant; but Jesus told Peter to put away his sword and Jesus restored the ear of the servant Malchus.
The Greatest Injustice of All Times and Jesus Response
There were laws set out in Deuteronomy regarding the sacredness of the judicial system. “18 “You shall appoint judges and officers in all your [c]gates, which the Lord your God gives you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with just judgment. 19 You shall not pervert justice; you shall not [d]show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and [e]twists the words of the righteous. 20 You shall follow what is altogether just” (Deuteronomy 16).
As such there were specific laws regarding accusing someone and the court cases. There were lower courts outlined all the way up to the final Supreme Court within their system. As part of that someone would not be able to be arrested without there being a specific crime. In the case of Jesus, in darkness they had determined they needed Him gone because He might turn the people away from their rulership. He was arrested in the darkness of night due to their fear of the people. This went against the transparency inherit to truth being.
So, in the darkness of night when Jesus would be alone with His apostles where they went to rest “a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders” Mark 14: 23
Matthew 26 tells us of Jesus Response, “55 In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. 56 But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.”
“But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” Luke 22: 53
A Mockery of a Court in search of a Crime
“12 Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. 13 And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. 14 Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was [b]expedient that one man should die for the people.” John 18.
During the former meeting carried out without allowing Jesus to present a defense and without any crime, Caiaphas had suggested it was better that one man die to save the rest. What Irony. He was speaking a truth of which He did not realize. After all, Caiaphas meant to just keep the status quo with the Romans in which he enjoyed some prestige and power. If this Jesus continued there might be a rebellion and Caiaphas stood to lose money and power, even if the people were released from Roman rule.
So, Jesus was led to the home of Annas and then to Caiaphas (only a courtyard separated their homes). Trials were not to take place in homes in the middle of the night. But in the meantime, as they questioned Jesus, they sent people in search of witnesses to accuse Jesus.
The Greatest Injustice of All Time: False Witnesses found
Though they questioned Him, mocked Him, spit upon Him and struck Him while blindfolded, Jesus did not fight back. Jewish law required there be a public hearing before the Sanhedrin with witnesses. No one could even accuse themself of a crime. It must be with two or more witnesses who could agree and confirm the crime. Neither could a crime be that of speech only. But rules nor justice prevailed or even mattered at this time.
59 Now the chief priests, [k]the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, 60 [l]but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two [m]false witnesses came forward 61 and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ ” 62 And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” 63 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!”
64 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.”65 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! 66 What do you think?” They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.” Matthew 26: 59-66
Further Breeching of the Law
Jewish law required there not be a unanimous decision, for at least one must show mercy. In this case, there were none to show mercy. Furthermore, the death penalty required three days prior to sentencing with the chief magistrate spending a full day fasting and allowing the witnesses time of reconsideration. This too was overlooked in the case of Jesus, adding to the greatest injustice of all times being perpetrated. They wanted Jesus gone. Certainly, Satan nor the Sanhedrin wanted it on this day, as they began. But God was in final control. In His meekness, gentleness, strength and dignity, Jesus had infuriated them. He showed no fear. Nor did He bow before them. Rather in calm, gentle strength, He had humiliated them. That they could not tolerate, and their fury led them to rush on forward with their plan to destroy Him.
Instead, they fulfilled everything that God had planned from the beginning. It does not eliminate their guilt; but it does show that God is still Sovereignly in control even when it all looks upside down. Even when every rule is broken and evil seems to prevail, God will accomplish all that He has planned despite the evil. When God steadies His hand, waiting with patience, He is not taken by surprise at the evil. Instead, He can from the evil bring about His Goodness, display His Mercy. Never forget, justice will prevail. One day, God will judge this earth and all of humanity. On that day, all the injustices ever perpetrated will be punished. There you and I will stand before His throne and be judged as to whether we accepted the atoning gift of salvation purchased by His son on our behalf or not.
Concluding Thoughts-The greatest Injustice that God allowed because He loved You and me
There is no injustice that we may face on this earth to compare to the greatest injustice of all time that was bestowed upon God’s Only Begotten Son. Yet, He humbly submitted to it, knowing that was the only way to purchase our redemption and remain perfectly righteous and just. So, let us consider all this. Today in this world, we face many hardships. Injustice is rampant as we feel the grips of hostile hypocritical tyrannical forces choking out the truth, we hold so dear. Yet, we too must not lose heart. We know that God is in control. This has been proven throughout the ages. Every prophecy fulfilled in its perfect timing revealing to us the fortitude of the plan of God as it unveiled and continues to be performed. We can trust in His plan always.
Even in our darkest night, He is there. We may not understand at the moment; but He has a perfect plan for you and me. The greatest injustice ever perpetrated occurred at the cross; yet, from there we know the victory over sin and death was won. He rose from the grave victorious and sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for all who know Him as Savior and Lord. He will return again as King of King and Lord of Lords. Yet a little while and all the end day prophecies will be fulfilled.
As I await the rapture, let me stand with His dignity, strength, and love pulsating through my heart. Let me lay aside my own selfish, short sighted desires, that I might be a beacon of light to this ever-darkening world of injustice and evil where humanity believes themselves the moral compass, while themselves denying the one true God.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Disclosures
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
New King James Version (NKJV)