Diocese of Montreal
The Anglican Church of Canada   

Clerk:

I call to order this sitting of the Jerusalem Coroner's Court. All rise for his honour Mr Justice Marcus.

Judge:

Please be seated. This special sitting of the Jerusalem Coroner's court has been ordered by Caesar himself. He is most concerned about the rumours that are circulating regarding the execution of a man last month. Considerable unrest seems to have arisen since the execution and Caesar has ordered me to ascertain the truth surrounding the death of this Jewish carpenter from Galilee by the name of Jesus. I am required to report to Caesar on three questions: first the circumstances of the death; secondly, has there been a miscarriage of justice; thirdly, if so, by whom?

I have here the police reports on the case and it appears to be a fairly straight-forward matter. I don't expect this hearing to take much time. I understand the police have arranged for all the relevant witnesses to be here in court, including their excellencies Herod and Pilate. Thank you for your time. I know Caesar will appreciate your co-operation.

I request each one of you to give your evidence and answer questions in a clear and concise manner, as the Rome flight leaves at 4:30 and I plan to be on it.

Call the officer in charge of the relevant execution squad.

Clerk:

Call Sergeant Morelli.

Judge:

You are a sergeant in the Imperial army of Rome?

Sergeant:

Yes sir.

Judge:

And it was your task to execute three prisoners at Golgotha six weeks ago, on the eve of the Passover?

Sergeant:

I supervised the execution, Sir. My men did the actual nailing and erecting of the crosses.

Judge:

Quite so. On whose orders did you execute these three men?

Sergeant:

My orders were from the captain in charge of the prison guard, Sir.

Judge:

Written orders?

Sergeant:

Yes sir. Written, sealed and delivered to me on the previous day.

Judge:

Were the prisoners named in these orders?

Sergeant:

Yes, sir.

Judge:

And these were the three men executed?

Sergeant:

Actually, no, sir. One of the men, named Barabbas, was apparently reprieved at the last minute and Jesus was to be executed in his place.

Judge:

Was this change in your orders in writing?

Sergeant:

No, sir.

Judge:

No memo, no fax, no email?

Sergeant:

No, sir. The three men were just handed over to me by the prison guard.

Judge:

I see. You realise your action without written authority is contrary to Imperial standing orders!

Sergeant:

(caught by surprise) Sir?

Judge:

Surely you are aware of Caesar's orders regarding execution protocols.

Sergeant:

(a bit flummoxed) Well, yes, your honour. But this happens now and again. If Pilate decides to release someone, or to send us an extra prisoner, he gives the order and we follow.

Judge:

The orders you are sworn to follow, Sergeant, are those of your Emperor. No authority is greater than his. You could well be court marshalled over this. You may stand down, but don't leave the court room.

Oh Sergeant. One other thing. According to the police report, some people are claiming that this Jesus didn't actually die on the cross, and that he recovered afterwards. What can you tell us about this?

Sergeant:

Sir, I can confirm that he did die, and quite quickly. Well before the other two. I remember it clearly because it was the day before the Sabbath and the priests wanted the bodies removed and disposed of before it got dark. We had to break the legs of the other two to (chooses a diplomatic euphemism) finish the process. But the one in the middle, Jesus, he was already dead. Still, I ordered one of my soldiers to run a spear through him, just to make doubly sure.

Judge:

All right, Sergeant, you may stand down. (to Clerk) Call one of the privates on duty.

Clerk:

Call Private Lexus.

Judge:

You are one of the men assisting with the executions on the eve of the Passover.

Private:

Yes, sir.

Judge:

Can you confirm everything that your Sergeant has just told the court?

Private:

Yes, sir. It happened just as he said, sir.

Judge:

Is there anything you want to add?

Private:

No, sir. Except -

Judge:

Except what?

Private:

Except that the execution was not like others I have attended.

Judge:

In what way?

Private:

This man Jesus was different to the usual criminal. He looked different and he acted different. Most condemned men, - no, all condemned men that I have seen - have hatred and fear in their eyes as we march them out to Golgotha. But this one seemed more concerned for the people around him than for himself. And as I drove in the nails he looked at me as though he was sorry for me. He looked at me as though he was my friend. He seemed, well, different.

Judge:

Different how, Private?

Private:

I'm not really sure, sir. Someone put a sign on the cross calling him 'King of the Jews'. Well, I don't know about him being a king, but he was certainly not your average thug. And there was another thing, sir. We were sitting in the shade of the cross playing cards while we waited for them to die, and I heard the three of them talking. And Jesus, the one in the middle, said to one of the others that they would both be in paradise together. Very peculiar, sir.

Judge:

All right. I am not interested in the peculiarities of the man. Can you confirm that he was dead when you removed his body?

Private:

Oh yes, sir. He was dead all right, sir. I know a dead body when I see it, even if it was half dark.

Judge:

Half dark?

Private:

Yes, sir. There must have been an eclipse or something to do with the earthquake. It went dark at mid-day but it was fairly light again by late afternoon and we could certainly see that he was dead all right. As the Sergeant said, sir, he had a spear run through the corpse just to be sure.

Judge:

You may stand down, but don't leave the court. You may well be guilty, along with your Sergeant, of acting without written orders.

Private:

But sir, I was only obeying the Sergeant's orders.

Judge:

That is no excuse. Troops of the Imperial Army are to obey the law at all times. You and your Sergeant appear to be guilty of breaking the law. (to Clerk) Call the next witness.

Clerk:

Call Caiaphas.

Judge:

You are Caiaphas, the High Priest?

Caiaphas:

(smug, self-satisfied, and certain that the Judge will see things his way) I am.

Judge:

I understand from the police report that you and your fellow Jewish leaders agitated for the arrest of Jesus and the imposition of the death penalty.

Caiaphas:

We certainly did. He was a trouble-maker and a danger to the peace of Jerusalem.

Judge:

Please elaborate.

Caiaphas:

He claimed to be the Son of God - such blasphemy. He had been travelling all over the country teaching in the synagogues and even in the temple here in Jerusalem. Teaching all sorts of radical things about God and how to get to heaven - most of it contrary to our law and traditions. This unschooled country boy even had the nerve to criticise us, the priests - and the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Judge:

Criticising Jewish religious leaders is certainly no crime under Roman law.

Caiaphas:

Perhaps it should be, Judge. (the Judge bristles, and Caiaphas, ever prepared and 'slick', continues) We preserve the peace, unlike Jesus. He had a vast number of followers - most of them undesirables. He even had a confirmed zealot as one of his henchmen - and a corrupt tax collector. They were all revolutionaries. He said he was their king and he was stirring them up to rebel against Rome. He even told them not to pay their taxes.

Judge:

Are you sure that is true Caiaphas? He is actually on record as telling his followers to pay their taxes: "give unto Caesar what is Caesar's", were his words.

Caiaphas:

(This pagan is questioning me?) Surely you don't intend to believe his words over mine! I am the High Priest!

Judge:

I don't intend to accept anyone's testimony at face value, regardless of who they are.

Caiaphas:

(becoming angry) But this man cannot be believed! He claimed to be the Messiah, the Son of God! I heard him myself. All the priests and Pharisees who were assembled at my house heard him. He was a blasphemer!

Judge:

Blasphemy is not a crime under Roman law.

Caiaphas:

(Angry and impatient) You don't seem to understand what I am saying to you. He was dangerous - he threatened the peace -

Judge:

It seems to me that he threatened you, Caiaphas.

Caiaphas:

(taken aback) Ridiculous! What are you suggesting?

Judge:

(Straight) I suggest you were worried and angry about the size of his following and about his undermining of your authority. I think you wanted to rid yourself of this threat by stirring up the people against Jesus.

Caiaphas:

(Begins to protest, but is cut off)

Judge:

You may stand down but don't leave the court. It seems it may have been you and your priests who were endangering the peace. And if there has been a miscarriage of justice, then you were clearly involved. (to Clerk) Call the next witness.

Clerk:

Call Herod. Tetrarch of Galilee.

Judge:

Sir. Thank you for taking the time be here. I have only a few matters I would like you to clarify, if your don't mind.

Herod:

As you must, Judge.

Judge:

This man, Jesus, was from Galilee, I understand.

Herod:

Correct.

Judge:

And Galilee is in your jurisdiction?

Herod:

(flamboyantly) That is correct. I am told he was brought up and lived most of his life in Nazareth in Galilee and most of his followers are Galileans. I had never met the man before his arrest. He had never been in trouble before, but I had heard of him. He was reputed to be able to work miracles, but I have no direct evidence of it. I was disappointed when I met him in Jerusalem. He wouldn't do any of his tricks for me.

Judge:

It is no crime to refuse to do tricks! Did you investigate the charges against him?

Herod:

Yes, I did.

Judge:

And did you find any evidence to convict him of serious crime?

Herod:

No, I did not. I sent him back to Pilate. If I had had my way, I would have released him, but the priests were very insistent that he was a dangerous trouble-maker. Anyway, he was not my responsibility. It was up to Pilate. I sent the prisoner back to Pilate.

Judge:

But he was one of your subjects. He must have been your responsibility.

Herod:

No. This is Jerusalem and not in my jurisdiction. He was Pilate's problem.

Judge:

You told the Governor that you considered the man innocent?

Herod:

Yes, I did.

Judge:

And then you stood by and watched a man you considered innocent be condemned to death!

Herod:

Look, you can't talk to me like that. You don't seem to understand who I am. I'll -

Judge:

I know very well who you are, sir, but I have here a warrant signed and sealed by the Emperor. I have been appointed by Caesar himself to do a job, as have you. Neither you, Pilate, or anyone else can hinder me. Caesar demands your co-operation.

It seems to me that you are guilty, at the very least, of neglecting your duty to one of your subjects. You will therefore remain in the court. You may stand down. (to Clerk) Call the next witness.

Clerk:

Pontius Pilate, Governor of Judea is the next witness slated, your worship, but he is on official business in the provinces and unable to attend. There is a request here to allow his wife to represent him.

Judge:

Ah yes, I've had official correspondence regarding that request. Despite its unusual nature, I will allow it. Please call Pilate's wife.

Clerk:

Calling the wife of the Governor of Judea.

Judge:

You are the wife of Pilate the Governor?

Wife:

(Brittle - obviously under strain) Yes. That is correct.

Judge:

Can you enlighten this court as to why your husband sentenced this man to death? Apparently Pilate had been advised by Herod that the man was innocent. Despite this, did your husband, after examining him himself, find him to be guilty?

Wife:

No, your honour. My husband was also convinced that Jesus was innocent of the charges.

Judge:

Yet, despite that, your husband had the prisoner, an apparently innocent prisoner, whipped and then executed by crucifixion!

Wife:

No, sir. He didn't do that. He wouldn't. He refused to condemn him. He was very uneasy about the whole matter, especially after I warned him.

Judge:

You warned him of what?

Wife:

I had a terrible dream the night before. I knew it was to do with this Jesus. I told my husband to have nothing to do with Jesus.

Judge:

Madam, how could he have nothing to do with him? Your husband is the Governor of this province. It is his duty to uphold the law of Rome in this area. He has clearly failed to do this and I have no doubt he will be recalled to Rome to justify himself before Caesar.

Wife:

But, your honour, it was not Pilate's fault. He was just trying to prevent another riot. There was a huge crowd of people outside the palace and they were all screaming for Jesus to be crucified. All the priests were there and many of the Pharisees and Sadducees. A great many influential people were there as well as the mob. And they were all yelling for the same thing. They were all demanding that Jesus be crucified.

Judge:

But if the Governor believed he was innocent, he was bound to release him.

Wife:

You don't seem to realise that if Pilate had released him, the political turmoil would have been uncontrollable. This was an explosive situation - the mobs gathering outside the palace, with their leaders inside threatening all sorts of unrest.

Caiaphas:

(Interjecting) I protest, your honour! We made no threats! We were merely indicating to Pilate -

Judge:

(cutting him off) Order! I am hearing this witness, please, and I wish to hear this witness only! (to Wife) You are saying that the Governor was faced with the threat of riots?

Wife:

Yes, there were threats. If Pilate had not granted their request, they could have destroyed the careful peace he has worked tirelessly to preserve.

Judge:

But to condemn an innocent man. . . .

Wife:

(her anger focuses on Jesus) That was Jesus' own fault. He refused to defend himself. He acknowledged that he claimed to be the 'King of the Jews' but he refused to answer any of the other charges. He just stood there, silently. My husband warned him what would happen if he continued to remain silent. But he just wouldn't defend himself, as though he wanted to die.

Judge:

Suicide? Are you suggesting the prisoner actually wanted to be executed?

Wife:

Why else would he have behaved that way? Jesus brought it on himself. It wasn't my husband's fault. Pilate washed his hands of the whole business.

Judge:

Nevertheless, the prisoner could not be crucified under Roman law without the authority of the Governor. If the prisoner was found to be innocent he should have been set free and protected if necessary. Pilate has to accept responsibility. You will please remain in the court until I have finished this investigation.

I am interested in this suggestion of suicide. I notice in the police files Jesus is recorded as saying, "I give my life freely, no one takes it from me." Is there anyone in court who knew Jesus well enough to advise the court of his mental state?

Mary:

Yes, your honour. I did.

Judge:

Your name, madam?

Mary:

Mary, sir.

Judge:

How did you know Jesus?

Mary:

I spent a lot of time with him. He was my friend and my master.

Judge:

Did you know him intimately?

Mary:

I'm not sure I understand the question, sir.

Judge:

Were you romantically involved with him?

Mary:

Oh no, nothing like that. I did love him very much. And I'm sure that anyone who honestly followed him could know him intimately. His heart was very open to people. But no, there was nothing romantic between us. My brother and sister had the same relationship with Jesus as I did. We loved him. He often visited us at our home and talked for hours.

Judge:

What did he talk about?

Mary:

Oh, lots of things. God's Kingdom. Love. He talked a lot about people and how people should love each other.

Judge:

Did he seem depressed?

Mary:

No. At least not usually. Sometimes when he was talking about the sinful state of people's lives he seemed very sad. I remember him crying once as he looked out over Jerusalem. He wasn't depressed in himself. He was just so sad about how people live in this, God's own city.

Judge:

There is no need to bring your god into this, thank you. Did he ever speak of death? Other people's or his own?

Mary:

Yes. Quite a lot, especially towards the end, but. . . .

Judge:

The end?

Mary:

(Struggles trying to explain) Well, sir, he knew he was going to die, but he didn't seem afraid of that. I don't think I can explain it, really, but. . . he didn't see death the same as the rest of us. Like, it wasn't so. . . final. (Then moves on to familiar ground) I remember, when my brother died, it was four days before he even came to see us. He cried then, too, but instead of talking about death, what he talked about was life. That's my brother sitting at the back of the court there.

Judge:

I thought you said he died.

Mary:

Yes, but Jesus ordered him to come back to life again. (Laughs) We were just as stunned as you are now, but Jesus brought him back to life and completely restored his body.

Judge:

You expect me to believe that?

Mary:

(she can laugh at this now, of course) Oh, yes. He was welcomed back by the entire funeral procession!

Judge:

(Incredulously) That's incredible. . . .

Mary:

Jesus brought several people back to life and he healed hundreds of others and he cast out scores of demons. Hardly a day went by without him working some miracle.

Judge:

I will remind you that you must speak the truth in this court. Perjury is a serious offence. Now, did this Jesus ever speak of his own death?

Mary:

Yes. He said that soon he would be rejoining his father in heaven and he would be seated at his father's right hand and he would judge the world.

Judge:

His father? He spoke of his father? That would be the carpenter, Joseph. I understand he died several years ago.

Mary:

No sir. Joseph was not his father.

Judge:

What? I've got his birth certificate here. It records Joseph as being his father. Are you saying these records are not correct?

Mary:

Yes, I am, sir.

Judge:

(this is taking longer than he expected, and he's getting impatient) We had better get this sorted out. Is the mother of Jesus in court?

Judge:

Please take the stand. (She does; the younger Mary stays with her)

It says here that your name is Mary. Is at least that part correct?

Mary:

(Not at all intimidated by this process, but not challenging or defensive either - she's seen it all, and is unflappable) Yes, sir. My name is Mary and I am Jesus' mother. Joseph was my husband, but I became pregnant with Jesus before I married Joseph.

Judge:

That sort of wedding is not so unusual. But Joseph would still be the father.

Mary:

No, sir. I never slept with Joseph before Jesus was born.

Judge:

(More impatiently) So, what are you saying? I suppose you don't even know who the father is, then?

Mary.

Yes, I do.

Judge:

(Waits a moment for her to continue. When she doesn't, he bellows) Well, by the gods, woman, who was the father?

Mary:

(Still quietly confident) No mortal man was the father of Jesus. (Remembers it all - this memory never leaves her) The angel Gabriel visited me and told me that I had been chosen to be the mother of God's child. And sure enough, shortly afterwards I found I was pregnant. Jesus was the Son of God. (she looks at the Judge) God was his father.

Judge:

Don't be ridiculous. You realise I can order DNA tests to be done? It will be easy to disprove your crazy story and then you will be jailed for perjury. Do you want me to order the disinterment of the bodies of your husband and your son?

Captain:

Excuse me, your worship. That cannot actually be done.

Judge:

(this thing is getting out of hand) And who are you?

Captain:

I am the captain of the temple guard, sir.

Judge:

Come up here. (to Mary) Go away, woman - both of you. But don't leave the court. I may get back to you later.

(to Captain) Now. You say you are the captain of the temple guard. Tell me why I can't order the disinterment of Joseph and Jesus?

Captain:

Because the body of Jesus is missing, sir.

Judge:

Missing! What do you mean, missing?

Captain:

It has been stolen, your worship. We were afraid this would happen. Jesus had forecast that he would rise from the dead three days after he died, which is of course ridiculous. But the Pharisees were worried that some of Jesus' followers would steal his body and then claim he had come back to life. So they ordered us to seal the tomb and then to guard it for at least three days.

Judge:

So. Why do you now say it has been stolen?

Captain:

It must have happened in the dark. They must have sneaked in under cover of darkness, broken the seal, rolled back the stone and carried off the body. When it got light we found the tomb open and three women there. It was those two women, and another one. They must have taken it.

Judge:

This happened on the Saturday night of the Passover weekend?

Captain:

Yes, sir.

Judge:

Surely I - a Gentile - should not have to remind you, a Jew, that the Passover is celebrated at the full moon! It could have been nowhere near dark. (Sternly) I ask you again, how could any group of people, these women or others, have opened the tomb and stolen the body without any of your platoon seeing?

Captain:

(Shifts in his seat, clearly uncomfortable) We must have all fallen asleep, sir.

Judge:

Asleep! Asleep on guard duty! You are admitting to being asleep on guard duty?

Captain:

(Pauses - obviously uncomfortable with this story) Yes, sir.

Judge:

You are employed by the Pharisees. They ordered you to seal and guard the tomb. They emphasise how important to them it is that the tomb is not robbed. Yet, despite their warnings, the body is stolen while you are all asleep! You seriously expect me to believe that? I know the reputation of the priests. You wouldn't dare sleep. You would be in jail or more likely dead if you had let the priests down as you suggest.

Caiaphas:

Your honour, that is simply outrageous. Only Rome can order -

Judge:

(somewhat harshly - extremely impatient now) Caiaphas, sit down. You are not in your temple now. You are in my court, and you will do as I tell you. Now sit down! (Returning to the Captain) I do not for a moment doubt that there would be a price to pay if you had disregarded your orders as completely as you suggest. But here you are, still employed as captain of the temple guard! Never have I encountered such a collection of liars as I have in this court today. There is obviously a conspiracy.

(to Captain) Stand down, but don't leave the court. I'll deal with you later. Is there anyone in court who has seen the tomb? No, not you women. Someone reliable?

Joseph:

Yes, sir. I am familiar with it. I actually had it excavated for myself.

Judge:

Come up here, please. Now, what is your name?

Joseph:

Joseph, sir, from Aramathea.

Judge:

So you know about this tomb. Is it secure? For instance has it got a second entrance?

Joseph:

It is totally secure your honour. It is a new tomb cut into a cliff. I carried Jesus' body to the tomb myself with the help of my friend Nicodemus. We wrapped the body up in linen cloth and left in on a ledge. We needed the help of the temple guards to roll the stone across the entrance, and the guards put their seal on it.

Judge:

This stone. How heavy is it?

Joseph:

Very heavy sir. Without the help of a bulldozer it takes many strong men to roll it.

Judge:

Three women could not move it?

Joseph:

Oh, certainly not, sir. Totally impossible.

Judge:

From your dress I gather you are a Pharisee.

Joseph:

Yes, that is correct.

Judge:

Were you aware of this claim of Jesus', that he would rise from the dead?

Joseph:

Oh yes, your honour, I heard him say it. I heard him speak many times and I was very impressed. I suspected he was the long-awaited Messiah, and from what has happened lately, I am now certain he is the Messiah.

Judge:

And yet you and your colleagues conspired to get him executed?

Joseph:

No sir. I was very much against it. I spoke out strongly in his favour in the Sanhedrin, but I was hopelessly outvoted.

Judge:

I see. As a Pharisee, you would have known about the decision to have the tomb guarded?

Joseph:

I did, sir.

Judge:

Perhaps you can explain why the temple guard have not been punished for their failure to do so. It would seem a gross neglect of duty.

Joseph:

Yes sir. (Pause) They were bribed by my colleagues.

(The court erupts, led by Caiaphas, screaming, "Liar! Traitor!")

Judge:

(Banging his gavel several times - it takes a moment or two to restore order [listen to Parliamentary debates]) Order! Order! One more outburst like that and I'll clear this courtroom. (to Caiaphas) Any more disturbances from you and I'll hold you in contempt. (to Joseph) You say the temple guards were bribed?

Joseph:

Yes sir, and they were promised they would not be punished providing they said that they fell asleep.

Judge:

Why? What on earth are the Pharisees trying to hide?

Joseph:

The truth, sir. The truth that the supernatural is involved here. The truth that Jesus really is alive again.

Judge:

(He'll never understand these people and their endless religious controversies) I see. Yes. That suggestion will obviously worry them. I must admit it worries me too. But I certainly won't believe it until I have evidence that he has been seen.

Joseph:

Oh, but he has been seen. The three women that were at the tomb. They saw him.

Judge:

I mean reliable evidence. Those hysterical females could see anything.

Joseph:

But Peter has seen him as well. So have all the other disciples. Peter will confirm it, he is here in court.

Judge:

Is he indeed? I understood all Jesus' followers had run away out of the city. Peter, take the stand.

Are you the same Simon Peter, the fisherman referred to in these reports as the leader of Jesus' followers?

Peter:

That's right, your honour. I don't really know why Jesus appointed me, but yes, he told me to lead his flock after he was gone.

Judge:

Ah, so he is gone. You have not seen him alive.

Peter:

Oh, I have seen him alive. Several times over the last few weeks. Not like a ghost or anything. He had a meal with us a few days ago.

Judge:

Us? You speak of us? Do you mean the other disciples are here in Jerusalem still?

Peter:

Yes, your honour When Jesus visited us the day after he came back from the dead, he told us he was leaving for awhile, but to wait in Jerusalem because he was sending the Holy Spirit to lead us until Jesus came back again.

Judge:

I am getting confused here. You say Jesus became alive again, but now is gone?

Peter:

That's right. He has gone to be with his father in heaven, but he will be back.

Judge:

And this Holy Spirit - did it come?

Peter:

Not yet, sir. But I'm sure he will be here soon.

Judge:

You seem like a sensible, down-to-earth sort of man. Yet the story that you tell is not credible. This makes me wonder if it was you and your colleagues who rolled back that stone and stole the body from the tomb. But how you could have done it, without the guards seeing, baffles me. You were seen to be near the tomb on the morning in question.

Peter:

Yes I was there. The three women called me to see for myself because I couldn't believe it. I went right inside. The burial shrouds were there, on the ledge, but no body. The other disciples and I were as amazed as the guards were.

Judge:

Didn't you expect the body to be gone? Isn't that what Jesus had predicted?

Peter:

He did tell us he would rise to life again, but - well, sir, we didn't understand him, or I guess we really didn't believe it would happen. We know now that he is alive but we wouldn't have believed it at that time unless we had seen, with our own eyes, that the tomb was empty. I think that's why the power of God rolled back the stone, so we could look in and see that Jesus had already gone.

Judge:

This hearing of what was supposed to be a simple case has become totally bizarre. We have been told of a baby born without a human father. We have heard of an intrigue by the Pharisees to dispose of one of their fellow Jews, and of their stirring up a mob to riot in order to achieve their object. We have been told of the execution of a man despite the fact that he had been proclaimed by at least 2 of the Emperor's officials - including the Governor - to be innocent. We have heard of the priests' conspiracy and use of bribery to cover up just what the temple guards saw or didn't see. We have heard how a massive stone may, or may not, have been moved by three women or by some supernatural force.

Peter:

(Interrupting helpfully) That was an angel of God, your honour.

Judge:

(Impatient again) Angels, women, thieves, whatever. We have heard how a dead man's body may have been stolen or may have walked out of the tomb by itself. We have heard how this dead man, who allegedly came back to life, has now gone to heaven, but that he will return.

Why? What is the purpose of all this? The whole thing is just bizarre.

We have heard testimony from people who have neglected their duty, who have acted without proper orders, who have been totally incompetent, who appear to be blatantly lying, and who have been deliberately deceiving this court. Every one of them is guilty of some crime. Are there no honest, upright people here?

Peter:

No sir. We are all guilty. That's the whole point.

Judge:

What on earth do you mean, man?

Peter:

I mean the whole point of God sending his Son, Jesus, to die was because none of us are honest, upright people. Not in this courtroom, not in Jerusalem, not in Rome, not anywhere on earth. We are all evil. Jesus was the only innocent, good person. That's why he was able to be blamed for our guilt and to take our punishment.

Judge:

You are side-tracking this court, and I have a plane to catch. And yet - I've never heard anything like this before. You are suggesting that this man Jesus, the 'Son of God', as you call him, was actually sent by your god, so that he could be made to pay for your guilt?

Peter:

That's right, your honour. And for yours.

Judge:

My guilt! I'm not a Jew. I'm a Roman, and proud of it.

Peter:

Yes, but you are still guilty. All people are sinners in God's eyes. Yet He loves us. Everyone of us, whatever our race. He wants to save every one of us.

Judge:

Save us? Save us from what?

Peter:

Judgement. Our wrong words, and actions, and thoughts separate us from God, who is completely pure. Which of us could ever stand trial before the perfectly innocent judge, a judge who had never experienced temptation or weakness or failure? Who would ever survive his judgement?

Judge:

(Not sure where this is going) Go on. . . .

Peter:

Your honour, you yourself are a judge and understand that crime must be punished. Only when we confess that Jesus was tried, found guilty and sentenced to die, instead of us, can God find us innocent. And when He does, He's no longer our judge. He becomes our friend.

Judge:

Interesting. Very interesting. Clerk, cancel my plane reservation. No, don't bother. I've already missed it.

(To Peter) You are suggesting that because you are guilty, Jesus had to die in order to save you personally?

Peter:

Yes.

Judge:

It follows that you are responsible, to some extent, for his death.

Peter:

Yes, your honour. As I said, we're all guilty.

Judge:

So you are suggesting that you all are responsible for his death.

Peter:

Yes sir. (Meaningfully) We're all guilty, your honour.

Judge:

(A pause, long look at Peter, who holds his breath. Has he crossed a line? Then, sternly…) I don't think I like the implication of that statement. (then softening, more thoughtfully) But, I have to admit. . . . (drifts off)

Clerk, send Caesar a fax saying I have been delayed.

(To Peter) Since it looks as though I'll be staying in Jerusalem a few more days, perhaps you'll have time to tell me more about this perfect Judge of yours.

Peter:

(A bit relieved) I would be honoured, sir. Tomorrow is the Sabbath, and the day after is the day we celebrate Pentecost. You'd be welcome to join our celebration. Maybe the Holy Spirit will come to us then!

Judge:

(That's it then) Well then perhaps this Holy Spirit may clear up some of the mystery surrounding this case. This court is adjourned until next week. (Bangs his gavel a final time, and we have. . . .)

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The Diocese of Montreal
Telephone: +1 (514) 843-6577
E-mail: synod.office@montreal.anglican.ca