In Anglo-American Common Law, the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur infers a duty of care, breach of that duty, and causation from the very nature of an injury.
The Latin phrase res ipsa loquitur literally means “the thing speaks for itself.”
The first use of res ipsa loquitur appears to be from the Roman statesman Cicero, and it wasn’t until 1865 that it entered the mind of English judge Sir Charles Edward Pollock, a Baron of the Court of the Exchequer ... and the rest is history.
This legal doctrine has entered into many locations touched by English Common Law, besides the US and England, it appears in Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, South Africa, and Hong Kong.
Today is Good Friday. And we have just heard the lengthy reading of the Passion of St. John.
What a mess.
The Chief Priests, the Scribes, and Pharisees were supposed to uphold the Law of Moses. But they wanted Jesus dead. And they were willing to cut a few corners and to stir up a riot in order to get their way.
Pilate, as military governor, was supposed to uphold the Roman Law, keep the peace, and exact strict justice. Yet he was scared. He had a history of upsetting the Jewish people – accidentally desecrating the Temple with images. He threatened a slaughter, and was forced to back down. This earned him an imperial rebuke. Then he raided the Temple treasury to build an aqueduct, and later on did slaughter a group of Jews whom he thought were and uprising. He tried to keep those quiet.
So, here comes another crowd, and it's just one man … if he was that … a man.
The arrest, the scourging, the carrying of the Cross, the crucifixion and death.
What in the world is going on here?
The thing speaks for itself.
Hatred. Fear. Violence. Death.
And what about Jesus?
Does He not take this all on despite His innocence?
He says very little. He doesn’t fight back. He accepts it all calmly and without reservation.
His actions speak for themself.
Love. Courage. Peace. And life.
Of course where the story ends today, we make it up to His death.
But stay tuned tomorrow night and Sunday.
Because after three days … He will indeed rise again.
