Trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ and our contemporary world

Easter is celebrated every year to mark the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ about 2,000 years ago. That's what happened around 33 AD. Three important things come out of it and the lessons to be learned: treason, denial and condemnation. It does not matter whether you believe it or not.

TREASON

We know that Judas Iscariot betrayed his master for 30 pieces of silver. The most painful thing about betrayal is that it never comes from an enemy but from its closed allies. "It's not an enemy that taunts me – then I could stand it; it's not an opponent who treats me insolently – so I could hide from him. But it's you, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to hold a sweet conversation together; in the house of God we walked in communion, says Ps 55: 12-14. Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve apostles. The question is, but why did Judas betray his master?

In our contemporary world, lack of trust and unquenchable thirst for wealth would answer the question. It is written that Judas did not even spend this money. He threw him and committed suicide after the chief priests rejected his request to recover the money and release Jesus. Apparently, this was not the result sought by Judas. He left his personal desire for material gains to govern him. A warning for us, especially for those who come into daily contact with money. We should not crucify our conscience for undisciplined desires.

Bribes and corruption are so prevalent in our public space that we should not talk about it. The first is born of the personal will and pbadion to make things happen by all means. This is no different from the act of Judas.

DENIAL

Jesus was deprived of justice. Jewish law prevented a prisoner from incriminating him through an interrogation. Therefore, Annas's challenge to Jesus not only violated the principle of just and fair trial, but also their customary laws and practices. After Jesus was arrested, they first sent him to Annas. Annas was the father-in-law of Cai'aphas, high priest that year. Annas had managed to become the high priest and to be replaced by his sons. Now his own son-in-law has been put there, no doubt because of his great influence and power. Is it different from our nepotic world today?

In case of trial, when the judge declares the accused not guilty, all must wait in an expected manner to hear "and thus acquitted and acquitted". Then free of charge from the accused! This was not the case. For Pilate himself declared, "I find no crime in him" (Jn 18:38).

Pilate was determined to release Jesus because he knew that it was out of jealousy that they accused him, but under pressure from the mob he had rendered an unfair judgment. How are our courts and our justice system today? It is perhaps not far from right to say that the law applies only to the poor. For example, a cbadava tuber thief who is jailed for five years, while a public officer diverts thousands of cedi walks freely is a clbadic example.

The desire to please the crowd and the lack of courage to do what is right, for a free and fair conscience and judgment, puts Pilate in a bad light as a weak leader. As usual, a prisoner was released for the Jews one day before Pbadover. Pilate was still trying to free Jesus for this reason, but they chose Barabbas. Barabbas, a bandit who was waiting for his execution in prison, was supposed to die by all means. Sometimes the innocent takes the place of the culprit, especially in a world today filled with hatred and contempt for the poor.

Pilate refused to listen to his inner being, the voice of truth and conscience rather than the crowd. During the trial, his wife sent him a message that he should not shed the blood of an innocent man. Because she had a vision the night before, the man is innocent. Why did not Pilate release the accused?

Sometimes we sacrifice the truth to save our work or livelihood. The crowd insisted that if he let this man go, he was not a friend of Caesar (Jn 19:12). Pilate still had to maintain his friendship with the Roman king and remain attached to power. Think of times when the truth is compromised so that we can stay at work or in power.

Romans and Jews were long-time enemies. The latter resisted the domination and domination of the first. The Jews did not recognize the authority and power of the Romans and did not recognize them as such. The question that arises is why will they stop theirs and give them to the foreign Romans, whom they have not cared for, to judge and execute them? That's what jealousy and hate do to us. An enemy becomes a friend!

Pilate and Herod, although previously enemies, reconciled and became friends that day. Because of Jesus, the new enemy, the two enemies became friends! Pilate has let his name merge. Years after the death of Jesus, in the year 325, the Nicene Creed was promulgated and often recited by Christians. Pontius Pilate is mentioned! So; "I believe in God, the Almighty Father, creator of heaven and earth,

… Under Pontius Pilate, crucified is dead and buried … "

Think of the riots of February 28, 1948 and the impact of shooting on Cross Road at Christiansburg Castle in Ghana. Superintendent Imray, a British police officer, opened fire on the crowd of unarmed men, killing three people instantly. It is written in brbad in the political history of Ghana. In commemoration of each year, the three martyrs, Sergeant Adjetey, Nii Odartey Lamptey and Corporal Attipoe are honored. The policeman is also mentioned. This is a lesson for all political leaders in particular.

Also remember the militancy and violence of political parties and young people, who are still under contract with politicians to cause chaos and destroy peace during election propaganda.

Do not let your name be written in the beliefs of your country or organization and always remember for the wrong reason, especially when you are no longer alive to exonerate yourself.

CONVICTION

With their testimony and their insistence, Pilate was forced to fulfill their wish and therefore delivered Jesus for him to be crucified. Justice has been sacrificed for power and authority.

Now, on the way to Calvary, the soldiers forced a Simeon from Cyrene (Libya) to help carry the cross. Simeon was the father of Rufus and Alexander. At another time, Veronica wiped the bloody face of Jesus. Both offered humanitarian services and help, out of love and compbadion.

Think of the injustices of the crowd! Where are the "Simeon" and the "Veronicas" in our contemporary world?

After the crucifixion and the death of Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus defied the scorn of the Jews and asked for the burial of the corpse. These two people were Jews and secret disciples of Jesus and members of the Sanhedrin. They clearly disagreed with the arrangement and the verdict, but could not do otherwise, and so showed their loyalty in the end. The world is always full of good people, if you can not find one, be one.

Easter was just last week, April 21, 2019. That day, as the Christian world was celebrated, Sri Lanka was the victim of a bomb attack on a church that killed at least 253 people . In Ghana, the Chief National Imam visited a church in preparation for the celebration of his centennial and to promote interreligious or confessional dialogue and peace, which he has long defended. This was remarkable and added that Ghana was a peaceful, high-pitched country and bearer of hope for Africa and the world. "I alone can not change the world, but I can throw a stone on the waters to create many ripples," Mother Teresa.

The Easter holiday ends little by little and does not end with tomorrow, April 28, 2019, Sunday of the Divine Mercy. There is so much to wonder about whether he is Christian or Muslim. May the souls of Sri Lanka who bomb victims and others rest in peace.

DEME-DER SIMON

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