Sun 28 Nov

A court is a challenging place to be in. It can be a lonely place as you stand before the Judge. You want a good outcome for yourself. Yet as you stand there – alone – wondering what will happen, you begin to wonder in your mind what is going to happen to you. What will happen if the Judge pronounces you guilty as charged? How long will you spend in prison as a result of your crime. Or will you leave the court rejoicing? 

Jesus is facing court. He has been praying. This led to His arrest. And now Jesus finds himself before the court. Not just any court, but the Sanhedrin. This was a court consisting of 70 elders sourced from among the Jews. They would determine what crime Jesus had committed, and what punishment would be handed out. 

Jesus was charged with blasphemy. A crime involving insulting, showing contempt for, or a lack of reverence towards God. His crime was claiming to be the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of God. Under Jewish law the punishment for blasphemy was death by stoning. Jesus was charged as guilty. 

No one really wants to spend time in court. Jesus is in court on our behalf. The punishment Jesus took was the punishment we deserved. The judge has pronounced sentence on us. We can be thankful that our advocate, Jesus, stands with us. We do not alone in the court.