Today’s Post Written By: Rhonda Stinson
Forensic investigation programs have always fascinated me. I love to watch shows such as “Cold Case Files” and “Mystery Detectives”. One episode had to do with a man who was accused and arrested for setting a house on fire, resulting in the death of his parents. He pleaded not guilty and his story never wavered. He claimed that his mom had lit a cigarette with a match and accidentally dropped the match onto the sofa. The son, whom I will call Carl, said that he filled a pitcher with water and threw it on the flame, but instead of putting the fire out, the water actually made the fire blow forth into uncontrollable flames.
The lawyer explained that the investigators had based their verdict on past experience. In previously investigated fires, none had worsened when quenched with water. Convinced of his guilt, the prosecutors proceeded to search out the source that Carl had used to set the fire, such as gasoline. They tested the carpet and underlayment, neither of which showed signs of gasoline penetration, but when the wood floor beneath the carpet was tested, it tested positive for gasoline.
Carl was incarcerated one year before his lawyer was able to do mock tests and gather more research to get the undeniable evidence of Carl’s innocence. The attorney explained that the sofa was made of polyester. A cigarette would just smolder and leave a burn on the sofa seat, but a match would catch the sofa on fire. More evidence showed the reason why the wood floor contained gasoline, but the carpet and underlayment did not. Houses built up to a certain year had hardwood floors which were stained with a mixture of stain and gasoline. Laborers used this mixture because it covered much more square footage at a cheaper cost. Carl had spent a year behind bars at a time when he should have been free and mourning the loss of his parents.
This true story reminded me of another true story. During Jesus’ ministry here on earth, He spread the gospel, healed the sick, and claimed to be King of the Jews. He continued to witness and was unwavering in His claim to be King of the Jews. Yet He was falsely accused of being a liar, a fake, and insane. The soldiers and people mocked Him, spat upon Him, and marred Him beyond that which any man had been before. Then they crowned Him with brutal thorns, and nailed Him to a cross of wood.
False accusations nailed Christ to the cross, but His shed blood was that through which the sins of the world are covered. A Savior for sinners.
“Now the chief priests, the elders and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’” Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?” (John 26:59-61, 67-68)
“And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (John 27:37)
And because of this great act of love, all who have accepted Christ will stand before the Father on judgment day and hear the words—not guilty!