May 10, 2023

Mark 15: 2 “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. (NIV)

Jesus of Nazareth was condemned to death, not upon the statements of His accusers, but upon an admission extorted from Him under oath.*

Before testifying in court, witnesses – and defendants – are asked to state their name for the record. In all of the episodes of Law & Order, there has never been a scene like this:

Clerk – “Please state your name for the record.”

Defendant – “My name is John Johnson.”

Judge – “Guilty!”

Jesus’ trial was unique because it wasn’t about his crime, it was about his identity.*  He was who he said he was, and for that he was found guilty and sentenced to death. He wasn’t offered a plea bargain – though Pilate did try to negotiate a deal with his accusers.

We, on the other hand, stand guilty as charged. But our trial is unique, too. The prosecuting attorney: God. The defense attorney: God. The jury: God. The judge: God. The defendant: Jesus. Yes, each of us is a guilty party but Jesus stood trial in our place and was sentenced to death. Because of his identity as the Son of God, we get to walk away from our life of crime. Will we also walk away from the one who paid our debt? Or will we choose to live a life that reflects loving gratitude for his choice to die for us?

We cannot justify ourselves before God, or plead Not guilty.*