The Trial, Suffering, and Death of Jesus PDF

THE TRIAL OF JESUS THE TRIAL OF JESUS The HIGH PRIEST was the chief priest of the Hebrew people, especially of the ancient Jewish Levitical priesthood traditionally traced from Aaron on down (Lev. 21:10; 2 Chro. 19:10). OLD TESTAMENT PRIEST 1. High Priest (lev. 21:10) – chief priest, mediator b...

THE TRIAL OF JESUS THE TRIAL OF JESUS The HIGH PRIEST was the chief priest of the Hebrew people, especially of the ancient Jewish Levitical priesthood traditionally traced from Aaron on down (Lev. 21:10; 2 Chro. 19:10). OLD TESTAMENT PRIEST 1. High Priest (lev. 21:10) – chief priest, mediator between God and people 2. Chief Priest (2 Chro. 19:11) – assisted High priest 3. Priest (Exo. 19:22) – ordinary priest THE TRIAL OF JESUS OLD TESTAMENT PRIEST 1. High Priest (lev. 21:10) – chief priest, mediator between God and people 2. Chief Priest (2 Chro. 19:11) assisted High priest Led the temple worship Manage priestly affairs Interpreted laws 3. Priest (Exo. 19:22) ordinary priest Conducted daily sacrifices Maintained Temple Cleanliness Taught laws Judges Disputes THE TRIAL OF JESUS The high priest was the supreme civil head of his people. The high priest was distinguished from his fellow priests by the clothes he wore, the duties he performed, and the particular requirements placed upon him as spiritual head of God’s people. Only he can enter the Holy of Holies once a year. Offered sacrifices for sins. Oversaw priestly duties. Wore distinctive garments THE TRIAL OF JESUS Hebrews 9 11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered It is with this particular service that the in once into the holy place, ministry of Jesus as High Priest is having obtained eternal compared. redemption for us. THE TRIAL OF JESUS In the New Testament period, the position of priests in the nation of Israel had changed considerably. The Temple functions were taken over by the “chief priests.” Rank-and-file priests were also overshadowed by the Scribes and Pharisees. THE TRIAL OF JESUS The priests themselves were some of the most zealous opponents of Jesus. As leaders of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court, they bore much of the responsibility for Jesus’ crucifixion. They also led the opposition to the apostles and the early Church. THE TRIAL OF JESUS Interpreting laws – applying Jewish law. Judging Cases – Resolving disputes. Conducting Trials – examining witness Council – a governing Enforcing body of Jewish leaders punishments – Senate – gathering of elders and priests imposing penalties. THE TRIAL OF JESUS The Sanhedrin composed of 70- 72 members of the ancient Jewish nation. They were also called the “Great Sanhedrin.” The Sanhedrin came to include both Sadducees—or “chief priest” and “elders” –and Pharisees or scribes. These were two main groups within Judaism, and the Sanhedrin usually tried to maintain a balance of power between them. THE TRIAL OF JESUS the Pharisees thought that they were doing their best to keep God’s Laws while others were not, they often looked down on others with contempt, and called them “sinners” –especially people like tax collectors and prostitutes. Religious people need to remember that they too, are sinners in God’s eyes, and that Christ died for everyone. THE TRIAL OF JESUS Since the chief priests usually came from among the Sadducees, it is clear that they played a major role in the arrest of Jesus and the preliminary hearing against Him (Mark 14:60-64), and They opposed the early Church (Acts that they urged Pilate 4:1-3; 5:17-18), much more so than even to crucify Him (Mark the Pharisees (Acts 5:34-39; 15:5; 23:6-9). 15: 1, 3, 10-11). THE TRIAL OF JESUS All the Gospel narratives tell us that Pilate examined and crossed examined Jesus, twice according to Roman Law, and was convinced that Jesus was not guilty of anything deserving of The Jews could not execute a death, and he sought person without approval from to release Jesus the Roman authorities. THE TRIAL OF JESUS Pilate did not want to antagonize the Jews and run the risk of damaging his own reputation with the Jews; so when the Jews insisted on Jesus’ crucifixion, Pilate turned Jesus over to be executed (Matt. 27:26; Mark 15:12-15; Luke 23:20-35; John 19:15-16). THE TRIAL OF JESUS Pilate recognized Jesus’ innocence and had the authority to uphold justice, and acquit Jesus, under Roman Law; in his weakness he gave into the bloodthirsty demands of the crowd, and the Jewish leadership, and so ordered the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. THE TRIAL OF JESUS JUDAS ISCARIOT was a man chosen by Christ Himself, to be one of His disciples, and among those Jesus loved to the end (John 13:1-5). Judas was given supernatural power to do the work Christ chose him to do (Mark 3: 14- 15); he also carried the money bag, and he stole money THE TRIAL OF JESUS For over three years, Judas accompanied Christ, and the rest of the disciples as one of Christ’ disciples, but the rest of the disciples never suspect his impure motive, and his evil nature. Even on the night of the Last Supper, the rest of the disciples were under the impression that Judas departed from the Supper to go and do good deeds. Yet, Judas went out and committed one of the greatest sins ever committed by man; he betrayed Christ for thirty pieces of silver. THE SUFFERING OF JESUS Jesus is stripped of His clothing, and His hands are tied to a post above His head so that the flesh of the shoulders and the back are stretched to the limit. The Jews had an ancient law prohibiting more than 40 lashes. But the Romans made no attempt to follow Jewish law in this matter and Jesus probably received many more. THE SUFFERING OF JESUS When the back of Jesus is bared and stretched tight, a Roman legionnaire steps forward with the flagrum (sometimes it is called a flagellum or cat-of-nine-tails) in his hand. It is a short whip consisting of nine heavy leather thongs, each with small lead balls, embedded with bits of glass, stone, or bone attached near the ends. The heavy whip is brought down with full force again and again on the shoulders, back, and legs of Jesus. THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS The first known practice of crucifixion was by the Persians, and it was closer to impaling a person on a sharpened pole than what we think of as crucifixion. The Persian’s became quite skilled at knowing how to impale a person so they stayed alive for several days. THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS The Greeks brought crucifixion back to the Mediterranean world during the reign of Alexander the Great. The Romans learned crucifixion from the Carthaginians, and rapidly developed a very high degree of efficiency and skill in carrying it out. This type of torture was normally reserved for traitors, criminals, and murderers. THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS The nails were not driven into the palms of the hands as most pictures show. Rather, they were driven through the wrist near the hands. If the spikes were driven through the hands, the weight of the person would cause the nail to rip through the hands and the victim would fall off the cross. But when driven through the wrist, the set of bones which attach the wrist to the hand keep the hands from ripping free. THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS The crucified victim rarely died from blood loss. Most often, they died from asphyxiation, that is, the inability to breathe.. Before the nail was driven through the victim’s feet, the legs were bent at the knee so that the bottom of one foot was flat against the vertical beam. One foot was placed on top of the other, and one long nail was driven through both feet. When the cross was erected, the weight of the body caused the victim to slump, putting all the weight of the body on the nails through the wrists. This also caused compression on the lungs, which kept the victim from inhaling. As long as he was slumped down, he could not take in breath. THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS To take a breath, the victim would have to stand up on the nail through his feet, causing excruciating pain in the feet, but enabling him to take a breath. As long as he was putting all his weight on his feet, he could breathe. But when that became too painful, he would slump back down, putting all his weight on his wrists, and also returning to the condition of not being able to breathe.