A Conspiracy of Injustice

The Servant of God

"A Conspiracy of Injustice"

Ma. 14:53-65

The Accusations (vv.53-59)

18 "You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the Lord your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. 19 You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous. 20 Justice, and only justice, you shall follow … (Deut. 16:18-20a).

Israel's legal system from the law of God:

The accused had a right to a public trial in broad daylight
The accused had the right to a defense (lawyer)
The testimony of two or more reliable witnesses were necessary to convict
Witnesses bringing false capital charges were susceptible to charges
Witnesses had to bring verifiable details in their testimony (day, time)
A sentence could not be pronounced until 2 days after conviction

Governing principle of capital cases: "The Sanhedrin is to save, not destroy life."

The Interrogation (vv. 60-61)

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. (Isa. 53:7)

22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. (1 Pet. 2:22-23).

The Condemnation (vv. 62-65)

17 But Jesus ans