The Essential Jesus (Part 16): The Crucifixion of JesusSample

Kangaroo Court

PRAY: Living God, I ask you to give me a clearer understanding of Jesus "the Christ, the Son of God" as I read and pray today.

READ: Matthew 26:57-68

REFLECT: When I was a young man, I got a ticket for running a red light. Because I believed the light was yellow, I decided to appeal in traffic court. As I waited my turn to stand before the judge, I watched as, one by one, other defendants lost their appeal. Armed guards led them away to pay their fines on the spot. I suddenly had a panic attack; there was no money in my wallet, and I was at the mercy of the court.

In Matthew 26:57-68, Jesus was at the mercy of this Sanhedrin court, only the stakes were much higher. Not only that, Caiaphas and his cronies were breaking all the rules of due process. First, the trial took place at night instead of during the day. Second, the charges were based on false evidence and false witnesses (vv. 59-60). But the greatest flaw was that the judge and jury had already made up their minds; they were looking for an excuse to execute Jesus. The sad truth is, when a person makes up their mind to reject Jesus, no amount of evidence will cause them to change. Ultimately, accepting Jesus involves both a change of mind and a change of heart.

But what exactly was it that caused Caiaphas and the teachers of the law to act more like a gang of thugs than the respected leaders that they were? Actually, it was two things. First, Jesus had disrespected the temple (vv. 61-62). That's a chilling reminder not to let our religious institutions become more important than following Jesus. Second, Jesus claimed to be the Son of God (vv. 63-65); Caiaphas rightly identified that as the central issue. The problem was that he was unwilling to accept Jesus on that basis. That's the biggest mistake anyone can ever make.

I'm glad to say that when I stood before the traffic-court judge years ago, he accepted my side of the story and let me go. I left the courtroom relieved and happy. But that pales in significance to the joy I feel knowing that Jesus willingly accepted the unfair verdict of this kangaroo court so that He could pay the debt of sin for you and me.

APPLY: Have you ever had a change of mind and heart about Jesus? When and why?

PRAY: Pray for one person you know who's decided not to believe in Jesus.