No Basis for a Charge Against Him

“If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong.” (John 18:23, NIV 1984).

My Musings – Brought before Annas, the father-in-law of Caiphas the High Priest, Jesus was questioned about His teaching. “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.” (John 18:20, NIV 1984). For such a reply Jesus was struck in the face.

The point Jesus was making was why question Him in secret, while the city of Jerusalem slept, when He had spoken openly and in public before the crowds? In addition, if He was on trial, bring in the witnesses who had heard His teaching. But when it came right down to it, “the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.” (Matthew 26:59–60, NIV 1984). False witnesses would not be needed if they had a basis for any charge against Jesus.

When brought before Pilate, the Roman Governor found “no basis for a charge against him…[and] tried to set Jesus free ,” (John 18:38, 19:12, NIV 1984). But in the end, “wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate…had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.” (Mark 15:15, NIV 1984).

My Advice – The message and mission of Jesus is nothing secret. What He taught was written down by or related to other writers by His disciples. The four eyewitness Gospel accounts, which are in agreement. More than the law requires. “A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” (Deuteronomy 19:15, NIV 1984).

“If [He] said something wrong, [then we must] testify as to what is wrong.” Otherwise, we must “find no basis for a charge against Him,” and accept His teaching as the “gospel truth.”