What is your verdict?

Introduction

A popular church marquis posting reads, “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”

Although we are not routinely jailed for practicing our faith, there is increasing scrutiny on the belief system and its perceived “intolerance.”

As a result, many Christians are fearful of offending others or worry about how they may be perceived if they are vocal about their faith. Yet Jesus Himself was not afraid to offend others. A reading of the gospels shows many instances when Jesus made people angry and hostile and yet He always showed love, even toward those who rejected Him.

Today, we will look closer at one of the many trials that happened to Jesus before his crucifixion. The big question within this selection is, “What is your verdict?” by Caiaphas.

Lets read the scriptures

Transition

So far, we have covered a few hours of Jesus’ last night on earth. We saw him instituting the Lord's Supper. He taught them many truths concerning Himself, the Holy Spirit and what their relationship to Him should be like. They learned that one of their own would betray Him. It was as eventful a night as the world had ever known.

After Jesus and His Disciples left the upper room where they had observed the Passover, Jesus led them out to Gethsemane, where He prayed for all His followers, including you and me. After He finished praying, a mob led by Judas the traitor came to arrest Jesus. Even in His arrest, He displayed the power that was His as the Son of God.

This trial by the high council had two phases. A small group met at night, and then the full high council met at daybreak. They tried Jesus for religious offenses, such as calling himself the Son of God, which, according to law, was blasphemy.

From this account, we learn that the Sanhedrin was already in session, waiting for Jesus to be brought before them. In verse 59, we see that they been meeting for some time to gain evidence that would provide a charge against Jesus. What Caiaphas needed was two witnesses who agreed, false or not.

Finally, two men came forward who agreed in their statements against Jesus.

They twisted His Own words and accused Him of speaking against the Temple. Under Jewish Law, this was blasphemy and was punishable by death. Of course, Jesus was not speaking about the Temple in Jerusalem, but of His Own body that would be nailed to a cross and raised three days later, John 2:19-21. His words were taken out of context, but they held a ring of truth for the Jews who were looking for any excuse to put Jesus to death.

Could Jesus have found any that would have testified for Him? What about the man He had healed at Bethesda? What about the woman He had spared who had been taken in adultery? What about a blind man who had been healed in Jerusalem? What about a little family that lived just 5 miles down the road, in which was a man named Lazarus who had been raised from the dead? What about the thousands He had fed in the wilderness? Yes, thousands could have been called in His defense in that day. Why, there are people in this room who could testify to His power and His identity. He has made all the difference in your life and you know Who He is! There is still a need for me to testify about Him today!

When pressed by the High Priest to answer the allegations, Jesus remained silent, as Isaiah had prophesied He would, Isa. 53:7. However, when the High Priest said, "I adjure thee by the living God", this put Jesus under oath and compelled Him to answer. He boldly proclaimed His identity as the Son of God. He proclaimed His Own resurrection, exaltation and return to rule and reign on the earth.

Here stands a man covered in blood. He is weary from being up all night. He looks totally helpless. Yet, He talks about being on a throne! He talks about His Own glory. He identifies Himself as the Son of God and claims that there is coming a day when He will rule the world! Those claims must have sounded ridiculous to those who heard them, and yet they were 100% true! Friend, don't be mistaken! The claims of Jesus to be the only way to God may sound foolish to modern ears, John 14:6, but it does not change the fact that he is Who He says He is and He is the only way anyone in this room, or in the world for that matter, will ever see God.

When the High Priest heard the words of Jesus, he had what he wanted! He had just heard the truth, but he dismissed the truth as blasphemy! He really puts on a show for those assembled. He tears his garments, pronounces Jesus guilty of blasphemy and calls for a verdict! The Sanhedrin cried out, “He is guilty of death.”

The tragedy in this trial lies in the fact that the creature has the audacity to judge and condemn his Creator!

Studies have shown that the trial of Jesus was illegally conducted according to Jewish law. The Talmud says, “The Sanhedrin is to save, not to destroy life.”

Then we see Caiaphas rending his garment. The High Priest was forbidden from doing this under the Law, Lev. 21:10. For a High Priest to rend His garments was to disqualify himself from his office! Do you see what is happening here? The pretender has disqualified himself before the TRUE High Priest!

Jesus was on the way to the cross to abolish the old Jewish sacrificial system forever. Caiaphas didn't realize the significance of what the was doing, but he was the last High Priest of the end of the sacrificial system, he was merely abolishing the role of the human priest forever! Once Jesus died and rose again, He would serve forever as the perfect, eternal High Priest. Now, men do not have to access God through other men. We access Him through our High Priest, the Lord Jesus, 1 Tim. 2:5. He and He alone makes intercession for us before the Father, Heb. 7:25; Rom. 8:34.)

One day, Caiaphas will stand before Jesus and he will be forced to give an account of His life before the judge of all hearts. On that day, Caiaphas, along with everyone who denies Jesus will receive a just trial and a righteous sentence. Friend, you may walk away from Him today, but there is a day coming in which you will be made to face Him, bow to Him and give an answer before His throne, Rev. 20:11-15. Are you ready for that day?

Conclusion

In these verses, Christ was brought before Caiaphas, the high priest, and solemnly pronounced guilty. It was fitting that it should be so. The great day of atonement was come: the wondrous type of the scapegoat was about to be completely fulfilled. It was only suitable that the Jewish high priest should do his part, and declare sin to be upon the head of the victim, before he was led forth to be crucified ( Leviticus 16:21 ).

These leaders refused even to consider that Jesus’ words might be true. They had decided to kill Jesus, and in so doing, they sealed their own fate as well as his. Like the members of the high council, you must decide whether Jesus’ words are blasphemy or truth. Your decision has eternal implications.

So what is your verdict?