Capital Case

When a crisis happens, people have various reactions. For example, when our sons were young and fell, I became paralyzed, but Lori jumped into quick action. Some people freeze while others act. Similarly, in crisis, some laugh while others cry. These are natural reactions.

When people saw Jesus die on the cross, they reacted in various reactions. The crowd “beat their chests” and returned home (Luke 23:48), while the centurion glorified God, saying, “This man was indeed righteous” (23:47). Another group stood paralyzed. These were women; they knew him and followed him from Galilee (23:49). Although Luke didn’t name them, Mary, his mother, and Mary Magdalene were two of them. In addition, there stood a man named Joseph, a member of the Hebrew Council, the highest court (Sanhedrin), and a ruler of the people. He was good (agathos) and righteous (dikaios) (23:50). He disagreed with Sanhedrin’s decision to crucify Jesus (23:51a). He was from Arimathea, a town in Judea. Eusebius, a church historian, thought it was a town in Ephraim, the birthplace of Samuel. Most importantly, he had been looking for God’s rule to come (23:51b).

What’s vital about Joseph’s testimony was the statement by Luke, “This man was not in agreement with the decree and actions” of the Council to crucify Jesus (23:51a). The Hebrew law stated that in a capital punishment, meaning a sentence deserving someone’s death, the Council (or Sanhedrin) had to be unanimous. Luke informed Theophilus that the conviction wasn’t unanimous. Yet, the leaders went ahead and crucified Jesus.

Even now, we see that when people want to “crucify” someone, they’ll find a way to do so. Just as Joseph was righteous and risked his life and career, we must be virtuous and faithful to speak the truth, even if it ostracizes us.