The Truth About the Trial of Jesus

The Good News (Gospel) According to Matthew
Today’s Focus: The Truth About the Trial of Jesus
Scripture: Matthew 27; Luke 23; John 18:28–John 19:16

Greetings Kingdom Citizens
Now this is a lot of scriptures to read but it is important to read about the trial of Jesus. Many said Jesus said nothing and that is not true. That is why we must read it very carefully because there was the confrontation between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of this world, namely the Roman Empire. And believe me and I will show it to you, the Kingdom of God prevailed of course, so much that the Roman Empire wanted to let Jesus go. So before you go crazy let’s look at some scripture to prove this point.

First, we know Jesus did no wrong, but he was a threat to the religious leaders of the time (Pharisees and Sadducees). In addition, He was a perceived threat to the Roman government because the people were proclaiming Him to be a King and there was only one ruler in the Roman Empire and that was Caesar. So saying that you are a king in the Roman Empire lends itself to possible capital punishment. Now, since Pontius Pilate is governor of this area of the empire and since it happened in his area, Jesus was brought before him so they can put him on trial. Now before Pilate even ask a question of Jesus, Pilate asks the chief priest, what are you accusing this man of? They said Jesus was perverting the nation, failing to pay taxes and calling himself Christ a King. Now, first all of this is a lie! And here is the proof, Jesus was spreading the truth about the Gospel of the Kingdom and used the law to show how the Kingdom works and how to apply it. Second, Jesus did pay taxes because when asked Jesus told Peter to go down to the river and fish, take the first fish and pay all of our taxes. Finally, Jesus only revealed to His disciples that He was Jesus the Christ and told them to tell no one! Now this is funny, Pilate not wanting to deal with it, he tells them to judge him according to your (Jewish) law. Now we have a problem because according to Jewish law, Jesus has done nothing to warrant death by the Jews. Now Pilate must be getting frustrated so he goes and speaks to Jesus himself. Now when Jesus get’s before Pilate, Pilate asks Him, “Art thou the King of the Jews?” and Jesus replied, “Thou sayest”. And Pilate then asked “Am I a Jew? Because your own nation delivered you to me.” Now, Jesus speaks and watch what He says in John 18:36:

My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is my kingdom not from hence

Now Pilate asks Him another question and Jesus answers and went back into the hall and declared he found no fault in him. And then the Pharisees told them about where he was preaching this message and realized that it went into Herod’s jurisdiction. So to pass the buck off of him, he sends Jesus to Herod. Now Herod being curious, because of everything he had heard of Jesus, wanted to see some tricks from Jesus and he asked him some questions and Jesus did not answer him nor perform any miracles for Herod. So Herod mocked Him and put a robe on Him and sent Him back to Pilate. Now when Pilate comes before the people and Jesus he said that he still found no fault in this man, nor did Herod, so Pilate tried to let Jesus go. And because of law, Pilate had to let a prisoner go at the feast. Now the people cried out to release Barabbas and they cried out to crucify Jesus. Then the physical persecution of Jesus happens in John 19 and when the Pharisees said that He made Himself the Son of God before Pilate, Pilate became very much afraid because of the previous encounter with Jesus and what was said. Now Pilate goes in the judgment hall again and said something very remarkable that no one should ever utter to Jesus: He said in John 19:10: knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee. And look at the answer of Jesus: Thou couldest have no power at all against me except it were given thee from above; therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. And after Jesus said that, Pilate tried to let Jesus go. But because of the pressure of the people and the fear of what Caesar would do to him he continued to let the people crucify Christ.

There is a lot to get out of this encounter with Jesus and Pilate and let me point out two significant ones:

1. The servants that would fight for Jesus are the Angels. They are the Army of the Lord. Not the church. Remember Peter tried to fight for Jesus to prevent His capture and Jesus told Peter to put up the sword because He could have called 10 legions of Angels. So, the Army of the Lord are the Angels and they are sent to fight and protect the citizens of the Kingdom
2. The only person that has power over you is God Himself! He delegates the power down to our leaders and parents but as it relates to being your source and the person you depend on for your very existence then it is God only!!! Do not let people ruin your day because they do not have the power to do so unless you give it to them.

At Our Father’s Service,
Min. Calvin Calhoun, Jr.