Resurrection Life of Jesus Church

THE MASTERMIND
As we examine the absurd Sanhedrin proceedings to kill Jesus, it is important to understand that the entire process was masterminded by the Devil. Luke 22:3; John 14:30

TRIAL RECAP
The Sanhedrin trial was a complete mockery of justice:

1. Conspiracy – Judges were forbidden to conspire against an individual or person for the purpose of condemning him.

2. Neutrality – Judges had to be neutral and impartial, having neither favor nor disfavor to either side.

3. Rigged Trial – Judges were to weigh all the evidence and render an honest, fair verdict.

4. Bribery – No arrest or trial could be conducted if a bribe was involved. Religious authorities were forbidden to take or offer a bribe in legal matters. They were not to participate in any part of a legal prosecution that was influenced by a bribe.

5. Illegal Timing (four laws)

a. No part of a trial involving a capital offense could be conducted at night.
b. There were to be no trials until after the morning sacrifices had been performed.
c. Trials could not proceed on the eve of a Sabbath or on a Feast Day.
d. In cases involving capital punishment, an acquittal could be issued the day the trial began, but a guilty verdict could not be issued on the first day of the trial.

6. Illegal Location – Sanhedrin was to minster trials in a public, pre-established location.

7. Lack of a Charge – Trials must present a concrete charge against the accused that can be verified or falsified.

8. Lack of Defense – In cases involving capital crimes, the trial begins with a statement on behalf of the defendant.

9. Lack of Evidence – Convictions were based on two or three witnesses whose testimonies were in agreement.

10. Abuse – Prisoners were to be treated fairly and humanely by those who judged them.

11. False Witnesses – Witnesses were to only testify to what was true.

12. Improper Prosecution (two laws)

a. A judge could not act as an advocate for or against the defendant.
b. A judge could not serve as a witness.

13. Forced Self-Incrimination – It was unlawful to use a defendant’s testimony about himself.

14. Blasphemy – It was blasphemous for the High Priest to tear his holy garments.

15. Ignoring the Evidence – Judges were to carefully consider the evidence of both sides before rendering a just decision.

16. Faulty Verdict (two laws)

a. The verdict was to be taken one vote at a time, starting with the youngest member.
b. If a verdict was unanimous for guilt, the defendant was automatically acquitted.

17. Hasty Sentence – In capital trials, a death sentence was to be delivered the day after finding the defendant guilty.

18. Murder – You shalt not murder.¹

The end result of the kangaroo court presented to Pontius Pilate was based upon lies and personal animosity, which is exactly how Satan operates. John 8:44

The showdown in Jerusalem between the incarnated Son of God and Lucifer was the reversal of what took place in the Garden of Eden when the Devil convinced Eve to sin. The human race plunged into sin and transferred over to the Kingdom of Satan. This gives new meaning to the apostle Paul’s words about being “translated into the kingdom of his dear Son.” Colossians 1:13-14

Satan ordered every fallen angel to stay over Jerusalem. Billions of demons were mobilized to operate in and around Jerusalem; to possess the Jewish leadership and ensure the death sentence was carried out.

The Son of God’s personal bodyguard of angels (twelve legions/72,000) remained over Jerusalem. They did not know if Jesus was going to opt out of the redemption plan.  Matthew 26:53-54

THE JEWISH MOB
The kangaroo court of the Sanhedrin “tried and condemned” Jesus after the late-night Tuesday arrest and then reconvened at six o’clock on Wednesday morning with the chief priest, elders, and scribes to formally issue a sentence of death under the pretense of legality.

The Mosaic law called for stoning in the case of blasphemy. But they did not dare put Jesus to death in such a manner because they feared the people more than the

Romans. This was not the case with Stephen, whom they immediately killed a couple of months later. Acts 7:57-59

Then they left Caiaphas’s palace and walked to the Praetorium where Pontius Pilate held court to deliver their bloody prize. The Sanhedrin knew that they could not accuse the God-man of blasphemy because the Romans were polytheistic and Pilate would never do their bidding with such an allegation. Matthew 27:1-2; Mark 15:1; Luke 23:1

These religious vermin refused to enter the building, because in their demented minds, entering the judgment hall, or touching a Gentile, would somehow make them unclean and keep them from celebrating the Sabbath the next day. John 18:28

Let’s stop and think about this for a moment. It was Wednesday and the Jewish leadership was planning on celebrating the Sabbath the next day. How was this possible? It turns out there was a high Sabbath on Thursday. It was a special day, not to be confused with the regular Sabbath on Saturday. John 19:31

PILATE MEETS JESUS
Pilate was familiar with the customs of the Jews and he came outside to discover why a large group of Jewish leaders and common people had gathered outside. To comply with Roman law, he asked what crime Jesus was being charged with and what was the proof of guilt? John 18:29

These were not the same people that had gathered four days earlier and shouted praises as Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

Normally, they would have stepped into the judgment hall and presented their grievance. It’s almost as if the ungodly religious leadership was offended at Pilate’s simple request. They had absolutely no interest in presenting a case for the Roman governor to judge; instead, they simply wanted him to serve as the executor and rubber stamp the results of their kangaroo court. John 18:30

Luke records that a mob stood in the street hurling charges at Jesus. Luke 23:2