Judgement that betrayed justice

by W.T.A. Leslie FERNANDO

Christ came into this world in God's name to deliver mankind from the bondage of sin, so that they may live in brotherhood in justice and peace. For this purpose he had to discard the contrary tradition and denounce injustice exploitation and wickedness of the age.

When he began his ministry, Christ went to the synagogue of Nazareth, his native place, opened the book of Isaiah and found the place where it was written;

"The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he had anointed me to preach the good news to the poor,

He sent me to proclaim, release of the captives and recover sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year to the Lord".

He then said "Today this scripture has been fulfilled to your hearing" (Luke 4/18, 19, 22)

Christ deplored the existing order and its decadent ideas, false values, outdated laws and an outmoded system. He attacked the Pharisees and the Scribes who oppressed people in the name of tradition, chief priests who used religion for their own ends and elders who misled people.

Christ denounced exploitation and said, "It is easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." He comforted the suffering and underprivileged saying, "Come unto me those who labour and heavily burdened and I will give you rest". (Matthew 11/29, 30)

The Jews at that time were subjugated to the Roman Empire. They were expecting a Messaiah who would redeem them from the Roman bondage as Moses released them from the slavery of Egyptians. However, Christ never wanted to oust the Romans and set up a kingdom of his own in this world.

Roman regime

Christ proclaimed the duty of Christians to respect the Roman regime, when he replied to the Pharisees who tried to entrap him as a rebel against the Romans saying, "Render, therefore, unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God" (Matthew 22/20, 21). Christianity is primarily a doctrine of salvation and not a political philosophy.

Nevertheless, the teaching of Christ contained ethical principles that was to do away with the existing set -up and create a new social framework.

Man at that time had lost the true sense of values. His goal was to get the maximum satisfaction of life. Christ rejected this mentality and attacked this attitude at its roots. He asked, "What does it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?". On the other hand, he upheld values undermined by the world. At the Sermon on the Mount he preached: "Blessed are the poor in spirit for their's is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (Matthew 22/37, 38)

The theme of the message of Christ was love. "Thou shall love thy God with thy whole in heart and thou shall over thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments depend all the laws and prophets" said Christ. He was willing to override the law of Moses in the scriptures and their authoritative interpretations in the name of love. He said, "You have heard that it was said. "Love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy". But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hurt you and pray for them that persecute you." (Matthew 5/43, 44)

Christ fundamentally accepted the equality of all mankind. He disregarded racial, class and caste barriers. No one was to be above another before God, because of one's power, race, wealth, position or caste. In an age where racial, class and caste barriers were predominant in society, this was indeed a revolutionary step.

Christ saw no difference between the Jews and Gentiles. He moved with the rejected, the despised and the helpless. He mixed freely with publicans and sinners who were treated as outcasts. The woman of Samoria was astonished and shocked when Jesus asked some water from her to drink, because they were treated as untouchables by the Jews.

Christ disregarded tradition that stood in the way of human progress. He was eager to see human need take precedence over tradition. When his disciples were plucking corn on a Sabbath day, the Pharisees questioned him about it. Christ replied, "The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath."

New order

The priesthood at that time was an attractive profession. The clergy led a luxurious life. The cloak was a cover to many vices. The church premises was a place on money transaction and trade. Christ established a new order. He instructed his disciples to lead simple and austere lives saying "Provide neither gold, nor silver or copper in your purses. Neither two coats or shoes or yet staves. For the workman is worthy of his meet" (Matthew 10/9, 10).

These teachings and deeds of Christ shook the Jewish society and shattered the established order. Christ was a threat to the Pharisees, Scribes and Chief priests who stood for the ancient law and tradition. They realised that they were losing their position in society. They discussed among themselves as to what they should do about Jesus.

When they were conspiring and plotting against Jesus, the masses began to follow him. When people heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they went before him, some spread their garments on the way and others carried Olive branches before him shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest".

When Jesus went to the Temple of Jerusalem, he drove away the traders and money-changers found there, charging them with having desecrated its sacred purpose saying, "It is written that may house shall be called the house of prayer. But you have made it a den of thieves" (Mark 11/15)

The Chief Priests, Pharisees and the Scribes got alarmed when they saw people rallying round Jesus. They got together and resolved that Christ should be put to death. One night they procured a crowd and took Jesus, a prisoner. The next morning they brought him before Pilate, the Governor and accused him as a rebel and seditionist who claimed to be the King of Jews.

Pilate examined Jesus and asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Christ clarified his position and said, "My kingdom is not of this world". Pilate found Jesus innocent and said to the crowd, "I find no crime against this man". But they were adamant to put Christ to death and said, "He stirred up people throughout all Judea from Galilee to this place claiming to be the King of the Jews".

When Pilate heard that Jesus was a Gallilean and belonged to Herod's jurisdiction as well, he sent him over to Herod, who too was in Jerusalem at the time. Herod too examined Jesus and found him to be innocent. He sent Jesus back to Pilate.

Passover

At the feast of the Passover, there was a custom for the Governor to release any prisoner whom the people desired. Pilate who wished Christ to be released asked the crowd, "Whom do you want me to release - the notorious outlaw Barabas or Jesus who is called Christ". The crowd at the instigation of the Chief priests and the Pharisees shouted "Barabas".

Pilate found that all his efforts to save Christ were futile. He feared that if Jesus was released a riot might develop and his position too would not be safe.

Pilate then took a basin of water and washed his hands before the crowd saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood".

The crowd shouted, "Let his blood fall on us and our children" (Matthew 27/24, 25). Pilate them released Barabas and ordered Christ to be crucified.

The soldiers and the crowd took Jesus away from the judgement hall, tore his garments, spat on his face and made him a mock king with a crown of thorns on his head.

They then made him to carry a cross to Mount Calvary and crucified him between two notorious criminals. How did Christ react to all these cruelty and suffering? He forgave them and pleaded for them in his last hour in the cross saying, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23/24).

Christ then died after three hours of agony on the cross.

Although they put Christ to death, on the third day - Easter Sunday he rose from the dead as believed by Christians.

The Apostles and later the missionaries spread the teachings of Christ all over the world and his teachings created a new era in society. In fact human history is divided into two periods - era before Christ (BC) and the era After Christ (AD)

The writer is a former President of the Newman Society Alumni Association.