“The whole group rose up and took Jesus before Pilate, where they began to accuse him: “We caught this man misleading our people, telling them not to pay taxes to the Emperor and claiming that he himself is the Messiah, a king.””
‭‭(Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭GNBUK‬‬)

One of the most devastating things that can happen to anyone is to be falsely accused. This is why the Almighty God decreed against false accusation as the 9th Commandment of God says: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16). However, on a day like this, in Jerusalem, all the allegations levelled against the Son of God were false by an entire group of people. This in itself is a serious crime; but the people did not mind to break the Law of God in Exodus 20:16 just to ensure that the Lord of Lords was put to death.

Let us look in context, the entire scenario leading to the charade of a trial of the King of kings and the Lord of Lords. When it was getting closer all through this week, we have seen the terrible plot to kill Him, the treachery and betrayal of Judas, the Last Supper with His disciples and the shocking prediction that Peter would deny Jesus, his Lord, three times.

Then we see His anguish in Gethsemane, His arrest and the mocking of the soldiers. And then we come to the Sanhedrin’s trial where Jesus was falsely condemned of blasphemy. Jesus had to be endured all these and thereafter He was led away by the entire multitude to undergo a civil trial before Pilate, the Roman governor.

Now, at His trial, three charges were brought against our Lord Jesus Christ, but all were false allegations all fused up in Vs.2 as follows:
Firstly, they alleged that Jesus was perverting the people and stirring up strife.
Secondly, that Jesus was an anarchist who was turning the people against the Roman constitution.
Thirdly, that Jesus was challenging Caesar because He claimed He was the Messiah, a king. See Luke 23:1-2 today’s text. Every accusation against Jesus the Christ, was false. These people had no valid allegation but they had to falsely accuse Jesus to get Jesus Crucified.

Brethren, often times others get killed in our hearts when we falsely conclude that they have done something which they never did and we judged and condemned them in our hearts. To the Almighty God, it is evil.

By reason of these three false accusations made against Jesus and which the people escalated further when they cried, “We have no king but Caesar…. Let His blood be on us and on our children…. Crucify Him!” They got Jesus crucified and hanged on the cross. But, as Jesus hung there on the Cross of Calvary, and shed His blood for every one of His accusers and for us all, Jesus was heard praying for them that: “Father… forgive them for they know not what they do.”

Brethren, if you have ever been falsely accused, then you will understand how terrible and destructive the evil of false accusation can be. But if you have never experienced it, I pray that it never comes to you.

False accusations is considered by God to be a very serious offence hence God says in Exodus 23:7 that: “Do not make false accusations, and do not put an innocent person to death, for I will condemn anyone who does such an evil thing.” Jesus Himself being God knew this hence He prayed for forgiveness of God for His accusers.

However, Our Lord Jesus Christ had to endure all these, and in fact allowed all the false accusations and even prayed that God forgives His accusers so that His death on the cross will not be in vain in the life of man including His accusers, hence He said “they do not know what they are doing.”

The lesson here for us is that if we are falsely accused by anyone, that person already has the judgment of God upon him/herself. But more importantly, the lesson is for you and I not to make any false accusations against anyone because anytime a child of God does such a thing, he/she has simply translated him/herself from being a child of God to the realm of being a devil follower. This is why Jesus directly connected slander (false statement against another) comes from a person’s heart (see Mark 7:22).

By mercy, the suffering of Jesus Christ, and His death on the cross of Calvary will not be in vain in our lives and the lives of our loved ones. May the Lord bridle our tongues so that when we are not sure about something, we will keep mute. There is wisdom in silence instead of falling into the sin of accusing anyone falsely (Proverbs 17:28). Therefore, every child of God must refrain from anything in the semblance of false accusation, it is a terrible evil. Peace!

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your Word.
Lord Jesus, I praise You for the sacrifice on the cross of Calvary for the sakes of man. Help me never to falsely accuse anyone in a Jesus name. Amen 🙏🏽
Happy Good Friday 🌹💐🌷

The Rev Justice Elizabeth Osinuga