Wednesday, February 28, 2018
John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
THE CHRIST CONDEMNED
Jesus was brought before Caiaphas, the high priest, for trial-- a sinful farce staged by the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Supreme Court! Caiaphas put Jesus under oath and demanded, "Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!" Jesus answered, "It is as you said! I am!" Then the high priest tore his clothes as a sign of the greatest grief and shock. But Caiaphas missed his calling. He should've been an actor because this was an award winning performance. Caiaphas hadn't proved anything, but his acting had its effect! Jesus was condemned for saying that He was the Messiah, the Son of God! For the Sanhedrin replied, "He is deserving of death."
Caiaphas (and others) surely knew exactly what Jesus' confession meant. He is the eternally blessed God, the promised Savior! The Sanhedrin took Jesus' statement as a slap in the face! It was impossible, unbearable to them that this Jesus standing before them could be the Messiah, the Hope of Israel. Caiaphas cried out, "He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses?" That's it! It's over! No need for any further witnesses! Jesus' confession was called blasphemy-- irreverence or disrespect for that which is sacred! They convicted Jesus on a blasphemy charge, a sin punishable by death!
Jesus' trial before Caiaphas was a mockery of justice! Trumped-up charges and theatrics were used to incite the Sanhedrin. Jesus was seen as a threat! His confession that He was the promised Savior as a word spoken against God and a great danger to the people. What were they really afraid of? What threat did Jesus pose to them? They thought, as Caiphas said, "If we let Him alone, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation." Their real concern was the possible loss of their positions and political clout. But that wasn't why Jesus came! The true reason was masterfully hidden in this farce of a trial. Jesus came to save mankind by sacrificing Himself in our place, to give forgiveness and life eternal! Since Jesus hadn't come to feed them, fill their pockets with gold, or free Israel from the Romans, He wasn't the Messiah they wanted. Jesus went to Calvary to die but not because they condemned Him. He went as our willing Substitute because of His love for mankind and His desire for our salvation. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
