By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered…? Isaiah 53:8
When Isaiah speaks of judgment, he is referring to Jesus’ trial, where the normal process of justice was denied. “The chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward” (Matt. 26:59-60).
The council was deliberately seeking false testimony, and eventually two false witnesses came forward who said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days’” (Matt. 26:61). But “even about this their testimony did not agree” (Mark 14:59).
Where were the witnesses who could speak in Jesus’ defense? For example, Jesus was accused of forbidding people to give tribute to Caesar (Luke 23:2). But Jesus had said publicly, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (20:25). There were clearly witnesses who could have testified to that fact.
The high priest condemned Jesus because He claimed to be the Messiah (Matt. 26:63). But there were many who could testify Jesus was indeed the Messiah because He did things only the Messiah could do.
Charles Simeon points out there were many who could have been called to testify in defense of Jesus. One could have said, “I was blind and Jesus gave me my sight.” Another would have said, “I was gripped by Satan’s power, but Jesus set me free.” And if Lazarus had been called, he could have testified under oath, “I was dead, and Jesus raised me to life!” But none of these witnesses were called to testify. Jesus’ generation failed to consider all the evidence.
Why do you think people fail to consider the evidence about Jesus today?
