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 answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” 18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.  (Jo. 5:17-18). CLOSE   14 For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; 15 for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it…. 20 Can wicked rulers be allied with you,  those who frame injustice by statute? 21 They band together against the life of the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. 22 But the Lord has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge. 23 He will bring back on them their iniquity and wipe them out for their wickedness; the Lord our God will wipe them out.  (Psa. 94:14-15, 20-23).