Would six hearings and ten declarations by a judge be enough to find a man innocent of the charges? History records that depending on the strength of the mob, the weight of the evidence may not matter.

In the first hearing, the man was questioned about his close friends, with whom he spent his time travelling and working. The man, who had a very clean record with an exemplary career of helping people, said that all their activities had been clearly seen by countless witnesses. They had never attempted to hide anything. The man was then attacked for his temperament in addressing the official, though he had acted properly in accordance with the law.

In the second hearing, the ruling committee had several statements brought forth by multiple “witnesses”, though none of their claims could be corroborated, with many found to be false or inconsistent with one another. The man calmly and clearly stated the facts, which enraged the officials even more. They denigrated and humiliated the man.

In the third hearing, the man was brought before the entire assembly. They once again brought the same charges. They declared him guilty on all accounts and demanded punishment in accordance with the law.

In the fourth hearing, the people leading the charge against this man said the evidence was inconsequential; the seriousness of the charges was all that mattered. The senior official declared that the man was innocent. This enraged the mob and its leaders. They began to make all kinds of accusations. Upon hearing all of this, the senior official called for another investigation and sent the matter to another government official.

In this hearing (#5), nothing really happened. The official found the man not guilty and sent his findings back to the senior official.

In the sixth and final hearing, the senior official chastised the ruling committee members for their lack of evidence and uncorroborated charges against the man. In total, the senior official declared ten times that the man was innocent!

It was at this point that the mob’s leaders came unhinged, and the truth behind their hatred came out.

“We have a law, and by that law He ought to die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God” (John 19:7).

At that moment, all of the uncorroborated charges fell by the wayside as the one, true, corroborated charge came to the forefront. Of all their accusations, this was the one and only charge that was absolutely true. The Man had made Himself out to be the Son of God.

In fact, He had corroborated the charge by His miracles, teachings, love, and compassion.

Consequently, He was sentenced to and died the most excruciating death, all because of the one true charge. However, for this Man, He endured the shame and punishment willingly and joyfully for the sake of all mankind (Hebrews 12:2).

In response to His love, mercy, and grace, do we live lives that corroborate the charge that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God?

Before we answer that, we must remember that the Scriptures show repeatedly that it is not just a matter of claiming so or of attending church services – it is a matter of obedience and action.

“4 The one who says, ‘I have come to know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever keeps His Word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked” (I John 2:4-6).

Are we daily corroborating the Son of God in our lives?

“9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son. 10 The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life” (I John 5:9-12).

Do our lives reflect the testimony of the world or the testimony of Jesus?