Who Broke Which Laws?

Scripture: So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?” “If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.” John 15:29-30

Observation: Once again, we see that the Jews refused to bring an actual charge against Jesus - that he was ultimately crucified despite the fact that the Jews refused to charge him with a crime, and the Roman government found him innocent. In this case, the Jews won't even answer the question about his charges; they basically say 'well, he must be a criminal, just look at him.'

Application: I am reminded how much the old testament law was designed to ultimately point to the redemption of mankind through Jesus. From the procedures for the Passover lamb, to a proper understanding of Sabbath rules, Jesus' life and death actually becomes the realization of the rituals Jews had blindly observed for over a thousand years. In fact, Deuteronomy includes a law pertaining to what to do with a person who is put to death while hanging on a pole in public ... this wasn't even a method of execution at the time the law was created!! 

According to one source, Jesus' trial broke at least 14 different Jewish laws established in the old testament, one of which is the recording of the charges. The officials won't even speak charges, let alone write them down in order to have them judged.

I am amazed - not surprised, but amazed - how God had prepared for the salvation of all mankind over one thousand years in advance.

Prayer: Dear Lord, as we prepare to enter the Christmas celebration of Jesus' birth, thank you for reminding me of the salvation that comes from faith in his death and resurrection. I believe in the crucifixion, and that Jesus both died and rose again. That doesn't happened without his birth, but you were always in control of it happening. May we praise Jesus during our celebration!