No Contest

In a trial there is a plea between guilty and not guilty called "No Contest".  As I understand it, a person who pleads "No Contest" is not saying that they did the dead, but they are willing to accept the penalty anyways.

At first this seems odd to me.  Why would someone be willing to serve a sentence for a crime that they did not commit?  One reason could be that the person did actually commit the crime, however if they testify to it, there are other liabilities.  For instance, they could be sued by a victim.

  

A second reason could have to do with the strain of being accused of a crime.  The wheels of justice turn slowly.  You have been accused.  Your reputation has been damaged, you are paying legal bills and what you most want is for it all to be over with so that you can start putting your life back together.  So there it is.  The light at the end of the tunnel.  There is a chance to put this behind you and move on.  

Once I heard a pastor describe a third reason that an innocent person would accept a punishment for a crime that they didn't commit is that they know who did commit the crime and they are willing to take the place of the guilty.  If you are going to be honest, you can't say that you are guilty when you aren't.  But you can accept the penalty.  

Watch this clip from Pastor Lowell.

Jesus could have gotten himself out of the bind.  In a word he could have saved himself.  But he would have lost us all in the process.  He did not defend himself, he took the blame and said that he would serve the penalty in our stead.