The current spectacle our nation has descended into regarding uncorroborated accusations brings to mind how Christ was falsely accused at His trial.
The rulers sought testimony to put Jesus to death, but found none!
Notice the evil that preceded the trial: they had arrested Jesus without having first formulated any charges or found any evidence against Him. This amounted to "false arrest," or put in plain words, kidnapping.
They intended to "fit up" the Savior with false charges to convict Him and put Him to death, but couldn't find any witnesses who could agree on anything He had done wrong.
The law was clear: only the testimony of two or three witnesses was sufficient to condemn or judge a man. Not only that, but the law prohibited even considering accusations from a single person at trial.
The reason is simple: anyone can make up any accusation, or be confused, or mistaken, and out of plain fairness, such an accusation must not be permitted to tarnish a man.
Both Paul and Jesus Himself confirmed this rule of justice and fairness in the New Testament.
Nobody could truthfully testify against Jesus of any wrongdoing, because He is without sin entirely!
Jesus declined to even answer the accusations, because He had no duty to provide a defense against uncorroborated accusations from one person.
He should have been released then and there, but the rulers were determined to put Him to death.
But when they asked Jesus, under oath, to declare whether He is the Christ, God's anointed one, He was required by the law to answer truthfully, and not remain silent.
So they condemned Jesus for telling the truth about His anointing by God as our Lamb! |
