Friday, April 10, 2020

Jesus tried and convicted

Good Friday, 6am - 9am (approximately)

The entire Sanhedrin council (approximately 70 men) with the exception of one man, Joseph of Arimathea, delivered Jesus to Pilate to stand trial in the Roman court since the Romans had final authority over death sentences. So Jesus had two types of trials: one with Jewish authorities, and one with the Romans. The Jewish council ruled over the laws of the covenant while the Romans ruled over the laws of the state. Therefore, the Sanhedrin needed to show that Jesus violated Roman law. They couldn't do this without lying. 
     They told Pilate that Jesus was "perverting the nation" and that He forbid people to pay taxes to Caesar because He Himself was a King. When the council mentioned that Jesus was from Galilee, Pilate figured this was his opportunity to get out of the situation because Galilee was under Herod's jurisdiction. Herod was also in Jerusalem at that time and was excited to meet Jesus hoping he could see a miracle. He questioned Jesus but Jesus didn't respond, which angered him greatly. Herod and his guards mocked Jesus regarding the Jew's accusations against Him. They dressed Jesus in a purple robe and sent Him back to Pilate.
     While he (Pilate) was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.” 
Matthew 27:19 NKJV
     So, Pilate was going to release Jesus as it was customary to release one prisoner before the feast but the Sanhedrin got the crowds worked up calling for the relase of Barnabas, a murderer instead. When Pilate asked what should be done with Jesus, they chanted "Let Him be crucified." (Matthew 27:22b NKJV).
     When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”
    And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”
Matthew 27:24-25 NKJV
     Pilate had Jesus scourged and his garrison of soldiers (approx. 600 men) stripped Jesus, spat on Him, and beat Him. They clothed Him with a scarlet robe (Matthew) and twisted a crown out of thorns which they put on His head. They placed a reed in His right hand to imitate a scepter and then kneeled before Him, making a mockery of Him. 
     The soldiers made a sign that read "This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews", in three different languages, Hebrew, Greek and Latin so that everyone could read it. After hanging the sign around His neck, they led Him to be crucified.
     Jesus was expected to carry the crossbeam of His own cross (approximately 100 lbs.) over 2000 feet to the site of His execution but when it was obvious that He wouldn't make it, the soldiers ordered a man named Simon to bear His cross.
     When they arrived at the crucifixion site, Golgotha, or "Place of a Skull" they offered Jesus a drink of sour wine laced with "gall" which was a bitter-tasting narcotic they offered those being crucified to help deaden the pain. However, when Jesus realized that, He refused to drink it, not wanting to dull His senses for what He must do.

* Please note, I'm reconciling the four gospels in order to present a picture of what Jesus endured in his final hours. He did this for you. He did this for me. 

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