Who Murdered Jesus

There are many high level investigations going on in our world. It seems there have always been these kinds of investigations. The first one I remember was the Watergate Investigation. These investigations usually reveal several behind the scenes perpetrators who are fired, removed from office and even sent to jail. Very often the “big fish”, the ones actually responsible for the crime, manage to avoid prosecution. As I watch these investigations unfold it is evident to me that in the political process finding out the truth is not the real objective. The side being investigated does everything they can do to keep those who are suspected of doing the unlawful act from being found guilty even if they are, and those on the other side want the suspects impeached and incarcerated guilty or not. There is so much hate that the truth is most often lost in the angry debates.

Wouldn’t it be interesting to see how an investigation into the death of Jesus Christ would play out today? I’m sure even in our time there would be some who would say that there is no need for an investigation. “The man was guilty. He got what he deserved.” More than likely most people would agree that those responsible for the killing of Jesus can easily be revealed by reading the gospel accounts of that terrible display of injustice when an innocent man was tried and found guilty. Who killed Jesus? Well that’s an easy question to answer.

There are a number of people who had a hand in the death of Jesus.  Judas played a big part in the plot that led to Jesus’ death. Caiaphas, the chief priest certainly could be one of the chief suspects. Most of the Pharisees were calling for Jesus to be crucified. What about the soldiers who whipped him and tortured him, and eventually drove the spikes in his feet and his hands and put him on the cross? Pilate was the one who sentenced Jesus to death. Was he more guilty than the others?  There were many who seemed to be guilty when it came to this murderous act. Which of these would you say should be deemed responsible for the murder of Jesus?

On the day of Pentecost after the Holy Spirit had been given to the disciples Peter stood before the people of Jerusalem and thousands of God fearing Jews and proceeded to tell them and us who killed Jesus. Peter had preached a powerful sermon and in his conclusion he told who killed Jesus. He raised his voice and addressed this crowd. “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say... Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

Peter laid the blame on all who were listening to him speak. He pointed to the whole crowd and said, "You Crucified him!" Most of these people were not even around Jerusalem during the time when Jesus was crucified. Peter did not mention Pilate or any of the soldiers. He said nothing about Judas’ part in all of this. “You crucified him,” Peter said. And if Peter could come today and preach to the world he would say the same thing. Everyone of us would hear him say, “You are guilty. You crucified the one whom is both Lord and Messiah.”

We are all guilty because of our sin. Jesus was crucified, killed, so that we might be saved from our sins. Jesus death was our only hope. As John the Baptist said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”  Jesus died the sacrificial death for every person in the world. Trusting him is the only way to eternal life. So the result of this investigation is very personal. Jesus would have died to save you from sin even if you were the only person in the world.