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| Friday, 9 April 2004 |
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The infamous 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 in peace. For this purpose he had to discard contrary tradition, and denounce injustice, exploitation and wickednesses of the age.
"The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has annointed me to
preach good news to the poor He has sent me to proclaim release to the
captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set it liberty those who
are as pressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord". He then
said, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." Christ deplored the existing order and its decadence, false values, outdated laws and outmoded systems. He attacked the Pharisees and the Scribes who oppressed people in name of law and tradition, and 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 into the kingdom of God." He comforted the suffering and underprivileged saying, "Come upto me those who labour and are heavily burdened and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11/29, 30) The Jews at that time were subjects of the Roman Empire. They were expecting a liberator who would redeem them from the bondage of Romans. However, Christ never wanted to oust the Romans and set up a kingdom of his own in this world. Christianity is primarily a doctrine of salvation and not a political movement. Christ proclaimed the duty of Christians to respect the Roman regime when he replied to the pharisees who tried to trap him as a rebel against the Roman Empire saying, "Render therefore unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God" (Matthew 22/20) Nevertheless the teachings of Christ contained ethical principles that were critical of the existing set up and promised to create a new social framework. Men at that time had lost a true sense of values. Their goal was to get the maximum satisfaction in 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 the values disregarded by the world. During the Sermon on the Mount, he preached, "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs 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 heart and thou shall love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments depend all the laws of the 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 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 mankind. He discarded the racial, class and caste barriers. No one was to be above another before God because of one's power, race, wealth, position or the caste. In an age where racial, class and caste barriers were predominant in society this indeed was a revolutionary step. Christ saw no difference between the Jews and the Gentiles. He moved with the rejected, the despised and the helpless. He mixed freely with the publicans and sinners who were treated as outcasts. The woman of Samaria was astonished when Jesus asked for 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". The priesthood at that time too was an attractive profession. The clergy led a luxurious life. The cloak was a cover for many vices. The church premises were a place for money transaction and trade. Christ established a new and different order. He instructed his disciples to lead simple and austere lives saying, "Provide neither gold, silver or copper in your purses. Neither two coats or shoes. For the workman is worthy of his meet". (Matthew 10/9,10). These teachings and deeds of Christ shocked Jewish society, and shattered the established order. Christ was a threat to Pharisees, Scribes and Chief Priests who stood for ancient law and tradition. They realised that they were losing their position in society. They discussed 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 with joy coming from the bottom of their hearts. Some spread their garments and others carried Olive branches before him shouting, "Hossanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hossanna 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 my 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 Scribes got alarmed when they saw people rallying round Jesus. They now got together and resolved that Jesus should be put to death. One night they procured a crowd and took jesus prisoner. Next morning they brought him before Pilate, the Governor and accused Jesus of being a rebel and seditionist who claimed to be the King of the Jews. Pilate examined Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of 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 in 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 Christ over to Herod, who too was at Jerusalem at the moment. Herod also examined Jesus and found him to be innocent. He sent Jesus back to Pilate. At the feast of the Passover, there was a custom for the Governor to release a prisoner whom the people wanted. Pilate who swished to release Christ asked the crow, "Whom do you want me to release - the notorious outlaw Barabbas of Jesus who is called Christ?". The crowd at the instigation of Chief Priests and Pharisees shouted, "Barabbas". Pilate found all his efforts to save Jesus was futile. He feared if Jesus was released a riot might develop and his position too would not be safe. Pilate then took 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 on our children" (Matthew 27/24). Pilate then released Barabbas 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 a carry a cross to Mount Calvary and crucified him between two notorious criminals. How did Christ react to all this cruelty and suffering?. He forgave them and pleased for them saying, "Forgive them Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. "(Luke 23/24). Christ then died after there hours of agony on the cross. Although they put Christ to death, they could not do away with his teachings. The Apostles and later the missionaries spread the teachings of Christ throughout the world and his teachings created a new era in society. In fact human history is divided into two periods - the era before Christ (B.C) and era after Crhsit (A.D.). (The writer is a former High Court Judge) |
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When Christ began his ministry he went to the synagogue of Nazareth -
his native place, opened the book of Prophet Isaiah and found the place
where it was written;
