Jesus’ Death Sentence

“Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, ‘He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! What do you think?’ They answered and said, ‘He is deserving of death.’” Matt. 26:65-66.

Jesus Christ, God’s Son, was sentenced to death for blasphemy. As was done to the trunk, so we can expect it will be done to the branches. We can therefore expect to be accused of blasphemy, despite the fact that we truly love God and worship Him alone with all of our heart.

“For he knew that because of envy they had delivered Him.” Matt. 27:18.

Because Jesus possessed more life and power than the religious leaders of those days; because His life and words judged their lives and words; because the people looked up to Him and said, “Never have we heard any man speak like this Man,” because Jesus spoke better than their leaders, with more content, and filled with the Spirit and with authority: therefore these leaders were envious of Jesus, hating Him and sentencing Him to death.

The reason for sentencing Jesus to death was therefore neither blasphemy nor anything else of which they accused Him; the reason was the envy in their hearts. The envy of the religious leaders even drove them to call up witnesses.

This bitter envy is one of the worst things that can be found; it is concentrated evil.

Cain murdered Abel because of envy.

Joseph was almost murdered because of envy.

Saul tried to kill David because of envy.

Who was it that condemned Christ? It was the contemporary religious leaders. It was the high priest and his like-minded ones! For what did they sentence Him and condemn Him? For blasphemy! But what was the real reason? It was their own evil: their envy.

The wise man says, “There is nothing new under the sun.” The same thing recurs throughout the ages and generations.

If God has greatly blessed us with light and life, then we can with certainty expect to find men of envy among our contemporary religious leaders too. Take a good look and see whether this can be avoided! See if this hasn’t been going on for a long time already.

Who condemns the light and the life and the glory that God in His great grace and goodness has given us? Religious leaders! What is the false judgment now? Blasphemy! What is the true reason? Their own envy!

However, we will to do as Jesus Christ, God’s Son from eternity has done; as our firstborn and most excellent Brother, as our Savior and Atoner, as our High Priest and Sanctifier and Forerunner has done: we will continue to serve and worship and faithfully give thanks and praise to God with all of our hearts until we die or (if we live that long) until Jesus returns with power and glory to be admired in all those who have faithfully followed Him in this evil world.

During this waiting period we will, together with our precious, like-minded ones, sing from David’s ancient songbook: “Let them curse, but You bless; when they arise, let them be ashamed, but let Your servants rejoice. Let my accusers be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own disgrace as with a mantle. I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth; yes, I will praise Him among the multitude.” Ps. 109:28-30.