Matthew 26:59 “The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death.” NIV
Jesus was prosecuted by a farcical court system. One marked by the confusion of who was to preside, Herod or Pilate, what was the crime, if any, and who would go free, Jesus or Barabbas.
This was a trial in which the lead prosecutors were outside their own laws, though trying a man for violation of said laws. Jewish law demanded that all criminals be brought before the Sanhedrin during the day–this trial, however, was conducted at night with the “whole Sanhedrin” seeking to condemn Him.
Not to mention that the Sanhedrin had a special hall set aside for its purposes, and they were only to meet in that specific hall. Yet here they are, condemning Jesus in the actual residence of the High Priest.
Finally, the Sanhedrin was bound by law not to reach a verdict on the same day as a trial–but we know how that turned out.
From the beginning, this was a trial with a predetermined conclusion: Guilty.
And though the Sanhedrin sought for false witnesses with which to accuse Him, it was not needed. From the moment he was taken captive, Jesus himself had known the verdict of the trial. He even knew the sentence would be torturous death. He was not appealing. He was not debating. In fact, he silently sat throughout his wrongful, unfair, unjust trial and made no rebuttal. Because, from the moment he first drew breath in the manger of Bethlehem, He had known the verdict. It was his purpose.
Whenever you or I accuse or condemn ourselves for our shortcomings–our sin–we are making little of grace, and we are conducting a wrongful trial. There can be no double jeopardy, here in the United States. However, far too often do we become like the Pharisees, accusing and condemning, breaking our own laws.
Our status is no longer in question. Accusations have been made. A verdict has been reached. And a sentence has been carried out! You and are free! Though we committed the wrongs, we have been given the freedom in exchange for Jesus’ condemnation.
We are Barabbas.
There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Do you know why? Because that condemnation–that judgment–has been passed! There is no condemnation now because there was condemnation then! Judgment was passed 2000 years ago.
For this reason, I urge and implore you, church family, to stop falsely accusing yourself and/or condemning others. All of the accusations, all of the condemnation, all of the judgement, and all of the verdict have already been taken care of. We are, like Barabbas, able to walk freely due to that pivotal injustice.
How will you walk in grace and freedom today?
Thanks to all of you guys, most recent deadline of $7500 by December 18th has been met! I am now working towards meeting the March deadline of $12,000.
Thank you all so much for blowing my mind and humbling me with your faithful support. I really cannot even find words grateful enough to express my thankfulness at your belief and support of God’s work in and through me.
Just a reminder: my birthday is in a week (December 7th), and all I want for my birthday is to reach my overall financial goal of $16,228! That is nothing for God. So join me in asking our Daddy for a birthday present only he could provide.
