The Criminality in Jesus’ Arrest & Trial: He was abducted, not arrested!
Jesus’ arrest and trial was full of evil and breaking rules. In my view, he wasn’t arrested but abducted! Reading the narrative about his arrest and trial only shows how far an evil heart is willing to go to accomplish its task. Just as love pushes us beyond our limits, hate can as well do despicable things! The whole narrative can be read from Synoptic gospels (Matthew 26 and 27; Mark 14 and 15; Luke 22 and 23) and from the Gospel according to John (John 18 and 19).
Talking about the intent of a sinful heart, John Gill, in his commentary on Matthew 27, highlights how the high priest and his fellows, members of Sanhedrin (Jewish judicial body), had to forego all that mattered to them and the whole Jewish culture to see to it that Jesus would be executed. Listen from John Gill’s commentary:
“‘When the morning was come‘,…. Or, as soon as it was day, as Luke says, Luk_22:66. The Sanhedrim had been up all night, which, after eating the Passover, they had spent in apprehending, trying, and examining Jesus, and the witnesses against him; and had come to an unanimous vote, that he was guilty of death; upon which they either put Jesus out of the room for a while, or went into another themselves, to consult what further steps should be taken: or if they went home to their own houses, they very quickly got together again, and met in the temple, where they seem to be, Mat_27:5, unless the story of Judas is, by anticipation, inserted here; and in their council chamber, where they led Jesus, and examined him again concerning his being the Son of God; see Luk_22:66, all which shows how intent they were upon this business, and with what eagerness and diligence they pursued it; their feet ran to evil, and they made haste to shed blood. This was the time of their morning prayers, of their saying their phylacteries, and reciting the “shema”, “hear, O Israel! the Lord our God is one Lord”, according to their canon, which is this (e): “from what time do they read the “shema” in the morning? from such time that a man can distinguish between blue and white: says R. Eliezer, between blue and green; and he finishes it before the sun shines out. R. Joshua says, before three hours had elapsed:” But religion, rites, ceremonies, and canons, must all give way to the accomplishment of what their hearts were so much set upon” – JOHN GILL on Matthew 27, verse 1; opening words
In this brief article, I would love to point you to about 10 reasons why Christ’s arrest and trial was illegal. But wait! I am not going to struggle writing them down as if I can do better than Harold Rodges! Instead, I want to give you the free summarized PDF version of these reasons as written and presented by Harold Rodges at Life Hope & Truth. I have tried to make highlights in the PDF article, and I hope they will not distract but construct you! Now more words, get the 9-page PDF article below
Can you listen to Kinyarwanda or Rufumbira Language? Well, if you can, this song covers some aspects of this criminality and in a more passionate way> Try it now!
READ THIS TOO: Is there a bible code in the bible?
Happy Easter Sunday 2021