Hostile Witnesses "He saved others ... let Him save Himself"
In a court of law, attorneys will call upon witnesses that they think will help
their own client's cause. There are sometimes occasions where an attorney will
turn to the judge concerning his own witness and say, "I would like to treat
this witness as a 'hostile witness." Usually, this would occur when the attorney
has called upon a witness to give testimony, but had earlier been mislead by the
witness into thinking that his/her testimony would bolster his case, but on the
stand the witness perhaps changes his/her story and begins to give damaging
testimony. Having such a witness declared a "hostile witness" gives more leeway
in questioning.
But just because someone is a hostile witness does not necessarily mean that
their testimony is useless. Sometimes, even a hostile witness can help get to
the truth, even a lying hostile witness will sometimes unintentionally reveal
pertinent facts to help arrive at the truth. For example, if they lie, and it
can be proven, the nature of the lie might well help point to the truth.
In the New Testament, there are several witnesses who gave testimony regarding
Christ. You and I each form our own private jury as we determine what the
testimony means. All of us must consider the evidence and render a verdict in
our own minds. Many ignore the testimony and just go with their prejudice and
ignorance. Lots of foolish things are said and thought about Jesus today. But
God holds us responsible for coming to an honest and accurate conclusion about
the matter. With something so very important, it is foolish not to even consider
the testimony of the witnesses. (John 3:16-21).
When it comes to "hostile witnesses" concerning Jesus, we have plenty. You might
think their testimony is damaging to faith, but if you think that, you'd be
wrong. In fact, it is because their motive was to destroy Jesus that their
testimony becomes so valuable. We know that they are not intentionally saying
things to cause us to believe in Jesus because they prefer that no one believe
in Him! Consider the testimony from the hostile witnesses and see what we can
learn about the truth.
Consider the Pharisees (Matthew 27:39-43)
"You honor, I would like the Pharisees to be treated as hostile witnesses" (I
doubt there can be much objection to that!). The Pharisees were bitterly opposed
to the Lord. Instead of accepting His authority, they said He cast out demons
"by Beelzebub!" That's a pretty serious charge to make against the Man from
Nazareth! There is no doubt that these witnesses are "hostile" because of their
opposition to the Lord. Consider their mocking of Jesus even as He hung on the
cross, without any pity or regret, they said, "He saved others, let Him save
Himself." (Matthew 27:42).
Actually, this is powerful testimony because it is not coming from disciples of
Jesus, but from His sworn enemies. They are referring to His good works in
healing and even raising people from the dead! Even in their mocking, they admit
that Jesus did save others! (See also John 11:43-48).
Rather than accepting what those miracles implied, they chose to rebel against
Him. The Pharisees could not (or would not) put two and two together. Prejudice
did that!
However, not all of them were so blinded. There was Nicodemus, for example (see
John 3:1-2). He said that at least some of the Pharisees knew that the signs
Jesus did were significant evidence that God was with Him. And consider the
words of the blind man who was given sight. (John 9:28-33). The Pharisees,
determined to reject Jesus at all costs, settled on the notion that Jesus' power
to do good came from evil. But truly, the miracles of Jesus show that He was
approved of God (Acts 2:22). The miracles are part of the evidence on which our
faith stands (John 20:30-31). And even the "hostile witnesses" who were present
affirm that the miracles really took place!
Consider Judas Iscariot (Matthew 27:1-5)
"Your honor, in light of the betrayal, I would like for Mr. Iscariot to be
treated as a hostile witness". Since Judas betrayed Jesus to the chief priests
and elders, we would think that he would have some negative things to say about
Jesus. We saw his unwillingness to follow Jesus start to grow as he became
disenchanted, and that disenchantment was fueled by his growing greed. (John
12:4-6; Luke 22:3-6).
But Judas offered no defense for his despicable actions. He did not seek to
justify his treachery. Instead, he said, "I have sinned by betraying innocent
blood." Though he played the part of an enemy or traitor, Judas' testimony rings
down through the ages as strong evidence of what he truly thought of Jesus.
The blood of Christ is, indeed, innocent blood. (1 Peter 1:18-19). Jesus was the
only truly innocent man who ever lived, and only His blood will freely and
completely remove sin (Hebrews. 9:14). By the shed blood of Christ, it is
possible for man to live again. None can approach God except through and by
virtue of the redeeming blood of Christ. (Ephesians. 1:7; 2:13-18). Judas admits
that he did not give Jesus up because Jesus was guilty, but because He was
innocent.
Consider Pilate (Luke 23:13-25)
"Your honor, I would like Pilate to be treated as a hostile witness in that
while he was governor, he gave the order which allowed Jesus to be put to
death." Pilate was the governor of Judea, having been appointed by Caesar.
Pilate knew Jesus was innocent, and did make some short-lived effort to defend
Him. No doubt, what scared Pilate the most was the threat of his incompetence
being reported to Caesar (John 19:12).
In order to appease the Jewish leaders, he had Jesus scourged. (John 19:1-6). He
perhaps thought that when Jesus' enemies saw Jesus in the weakened, deplorable
condition after the scourging, they would be appeased. Pilate underestimated the
intense hatred the evil Priests and Pharisees had toward Jesus. Pilate will
always be known as a weak, cowardly politician who allowed, and even ordered,
the Son of God to be put to death.
Pilate's testimony, as the other hostile witness, rings down through the ages.
He said three times to Jesus' enemies, "I find no fault in Him at all." If
anyone wanted to find fault with Jesus to excuse his part in the crucifixion, it
would be Pilate. Bu he found none. Thus, again, Jesus is indeed that sacrificial
Lamb without blemish and without spot (Isaiah 53:7-8).
Thus, all of our hostile witnesses bear strong, favorable testimony regarding
Jesus the Christ. So, even without considering what the friendly witnesses have
to say about Jesus, what is your verdict regarding the Christ as you hear these
hostile witnesses?
By Jon W. Quinn
From Expository Files 16.6; June 2009
