This Easter season, especially on Good Friday, we remember the Lord who was put on trial by at 3 courts; the Jewish Council, the Roman Governor Pilate, and the royal court of Herod.
Yet, none of them could convict Him of his guilt. He was proved as the” lamb of God without any blemish.”
However, after Jesus’s resurrection, again, another 3 courts representing a Jewish Council, a Roman Governor, and a King’s court put His case on Trial.
This time it was a trial in absentia, but demanded evidence from one witness:
“They argued…about a man named Jesus. They said Jesus was dead, but Paul claimed Jesus was alive.”
Acts 25:19-20
Although Paul was the accused, the case was about another person – Jesus. This time it is not about his guilt or innocence – but His claim that “He is Alive!”
This post-Resurrection Trial goes on even today.
For Millions of people who have never heard of Jesus, every time when they hear His name, He is put on trial, to prove He is alive.
And without a credible witness, they will not be convinced.
This is why Jesus in His Commission in Acts 1:8 required disciples to be ‘my witness’; not about his message, or doctrine – but to be ‘my witnesses”
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Calling for Evidence: Witnesses are Lacking!
In His pre-death trial,
‘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.”
Today there is a call for witnesses– not about his death, but His resurrection! But Witnesses are lacking.
The Mission of God is for the Church to produce ‘witnesses’ of His resurrection.
Therefore, the central message of the early Church was the Resurrection beginning from the Day of Pentecost:
‘This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Acts 2:32
And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: Acts 4:33.
If you were put on trial because of your claim of Jesus’ resurrection, will they find sufficient evidence against you to convict you?
Let us Pray that as Churches around the world celebrate this Easter, that they will mobilize credible ‘Witnesses’ with sufficient evidence to declare to millions that ‘Jesus is alive!’
Have a Blessed Easter!