THE TRIAL OF JESUS

Are you ready to resume our Tell me the story of Jesus voyage? When we left off Judas, who betrayed Jesus, saw that Jesus was condemned (as Satan had departed from him cuz the deed was done and Satan no longer needed Judas), he deeply regretted what he’d done, and brought the thirty pieces of silver to give back to the chief priests and elders. He said, I’ve sinned by betraying innocent blood. They replied to him, What does that have to do with us? That’s your problem. Judas threw down the pieces of silver in the Temple and went and hung himself. Is that not repenting?

Now, before we begin the Trial of Jesus the Son of God story where Jesus is Crucified on the Cross, here is an interesting question. Where is Judas’ soul? In Heaven or in hell? Judas repented of his sin, and Jesus taught us that even if one repents in the last hour, he will be forgiven (Matthew 20:1-16, Luke 15:10) ... Jesus also said at the Last Supper, while Judas was still at the table that the twelve of them (Apostles) would be appointed to sit at His table in His kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Luke 22:30).

Another thing to remember is that GOD KNEW this exact thing was gonna happen and shared it with us by way of one of His prophets. In Zechariah 11:10-14 ... God said He was going to break His Old Covenant (Testament) and bring in a New Covenant (Testament) and that when this occurred they would weigh His price as 30 pieces of silver and that these 30 pieces of silver would be cast down in the House of the Lord (Temple).

So, Judas was a pawn in a chess game between God and Satan concerning the Trial of Jesus the Son of God. God KNEW exactly what would be done before it happened. Jesus is Crucified on the Cross for unconditional Love. Like Peter, Judas was a part of God's strategy to bring His plan to pass. Was it not Satan who premeditated this deed and not Judas? Here is Truth ... GOD is the ONLY Judge as only He knows the heart of man.

See Judas Iscariot Bible study link at end of this study to read more.

We best get back to the The Trial of Jesus the Son of God and Jesus is Crucified on the Cross story now. The chief priests took the silver pieces and because it was the price of blood, it wasn’t lawful to put them in the treasury, so they decided to buy the potter’s field to bury strangers in and that field is called, The field of blood, to this day. This was also fulfillment of a prophecy, Jeremiah 32:6-9, as well as Zechariah 11:12-13.

As the morning dawned, the whole multitude led Jesus away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate, who was the governor. Pilate came out to those bringing Jesus and asked, What is this man accused of? They answered, if He wasn’t a criminal, we wouldn’t have brought Him to you. We found this fellow corrupting the nation and refusing to give tribute to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ a King. Pilate said, Take Him and judge Him according to your law, but the Jewish people said, It isn’t lawful for us to put any man to death.

This fulfilled the words that Jesus spoke about how He would die, being lifted up on a Cross because it was the Romans that crucified their "criminals" ...

Prior to the Trial of Jesus the Son of God, Pilate went back into the judgment hall and asked Jesus, Are you the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Do you say that I am, or did others tell you that about me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you to me: what have you done? Jesus answered, My Kingdom is not of this world: if my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, so I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews: but my Kingdom isn’t from here. Pilate said to Him, Are you a king then? Jesus answered, You say that I’m a King.

For this reason I was born, and for this cause I came into the world, that I should testify of the TRUTH. Every one that is of the TRUTH hears my voice. Pilate said to Him, What is truth? Jesus did not answer.

And the chief priests accused Him of many things but He answered nothing and Pilate asked Him again, You have nothing to say? Look at how many things they testify against you. But, Jesus still answered nothing and Pilate marveled at this. The SILENCE of Jesus fulfills a Prophecy written in Isaiah.

After Pilate had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, I don’t find Him guilty of anything. And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning in Galilee to here. When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether Jesus was a Galilean. As soon as he knew that He belonged in Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad. He’d been curious about Him for a long time because he heard many things about Him; and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. Herod questioned Him at length; but Jesus answered him nothing.

The real culprits of the Trial of Jesus the Son of God and true reason why why Jesus is Crucified on the Cross, The chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. Herod and his soldiers belittled Him and ridiculed Him, and arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. That day Pilate and Herod became friends but before that they were not so.

Then Pilate called the chief priests and the rulers of the people together and said, You’ve brought this man to me as one that corrupts the people, and look, I’ve examined Him in front of you and haven’t found Him guilty of any of the things you accuse Him of. I even sent you with Him to Herod and found that nothing has been done by Him that’s worthy of death. So, I’ll chastise Him and release Him. And they did ... Severely.

By custom, Pilate had to release a prisoner to the people at the feast of Passover. At that time there was a well known prisoner named Barabbas. Pilate asked, Do you want me to release Barabbas or Jesus, which is called Christ? He said this because he knew the chief priests delivered Him out of jealousy.

It is time for the Trial of Jesus the Son of God and time to prepare for the time when Jesus is Crucified on the Cross. When Pilate sat down in the judgment seat, his wife sent a message to him saying, Don’t do anything against that just man (Jesus). I’ve suffered many things today in a dream because of Him. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the people to request Barabbas be freed and to crucify Jesus. They all shouted at once, Away with this man, and release Barabbas to us! When Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere with the people, but instead they were stirred, he took water and washed his hands in front of the people, saying, I’m innocent of the blood of this just man, see to it. All the people answered, His blood is on us, and on our children. (There is an old legend that suggests that Pilate is still washing his hands every day in hell, but as with Judas ... He was but a tool. It is obvious Pilate tried to spare Jesus but prophecy would prevail. Remember TRUTH ... It is for God to determine anyone's guilt or innocence.)

Now Barabbas had been thrown into prison because he was a robber and a murderer. Pilate, willing to release Jesus, spoke to the people again. He asked, What do you want me to do then, with the man whom you call the King of the Jews? They shouted, Crucify Him, crucify Him! Then he said to them the third time, Why, what evil has He done? I find no reason to put Him to death, but Pilate, willing to please the people said, I’ll chastise Him, and let Him go. And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that Jesus be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. Pilate gave sentence that it should be as the people demanded, and he released Barabbas. Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him.

During the Trial of Jesus the Son of God, the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on His head. They put a purple robe on Him, and a reed in His right hand (as if it was His sceptre) and bowed the knee mocking Him, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit on Him and took the reed and hit Him on the head.

Pilate said to them, Behold, I bring Him out to you, so you may know that I find no fault in Him. Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe.

And Pilate said to them, Behold the man! When the chief priests and officers saw Him, they shouted, Crucify Him, crucify Him! Pilate said to them, You take Him and crucify Him: I find Him innocent. The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law He ought to die because He made Himself the Son of God.

After hearing the H=Jewish people verdict in the Trial of Jesus the Son of God, and after hearing about Jesus being the Son of God, Pilate was the more afraid and went back into the judgment hall, and said to Jesus, Where are you from? But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate said to Him, You won’t speak to me? Don’t you know that I have the power to crucify you, and the power to release you? Jesus answered, You could have no power at all against me, unless it were given to you from above: so the person that delivered me to you has the greater sin. Again we see that our view is not that of the Lord's at times. HE alone ... Is the Judge.

From then on, Pilate sought to release Him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If you let this man go, you aren’t Caesar's friend: whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar. When Pilate heard that, he brought Jesus out, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place called the Pavement. It was the preparation of the Passover. Pilate said, Behold your King!

But, they all cried out, Away with Him, crucify Him! Pilate said to them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. The Trial of Jesus the Son of God was over. Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and took off the purple from Him, and put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out ... Next, Jesus is Crucified on the Cross.

Some things are hard to understand and even harder to believe. One of those things is how God allowed this to occur and even planned it by way of prophecy. The true reason was because of God's unconditional Love for us. It was the only way. It was the price for our Salvation. The Trial of Jesus the Son of God and the reason why Jesus is Crucified on the Cross is because it was prophecy and why Jesus is crucified would become a blessing which would bring forth Grace.