Sermon Tone Analysis

S.W.O.T

Have you ever heard of the acronym SWOT?

I’ve run into this a few different times in various leadership books, seminars, and resources.

It stands for:

Strengths

Weaknesses

Opportunities

Threats

When organizations and individuals go through a SWOT assessment, they look at what they are good at (strengths), where they have weaknesses, what opportunities are on the horizon, and what threats may jeopardize their mission or even their very existence.

When organizations go through these types of assessments, they can take several hours or even several days to carefully analyze these elements for their organization.

A careful understanding of the impact of these measurements is valuable for an organization or even an individual.

Failure to properly assess these can result in misguided decisions and miscalculated actions.

Of these four, the one that seems like it can cause the greatest harm to a group is threats.

Not understanding the threats and not responding properly to them can be catastrophic.

I bring that up today, because as we continue our study in the book of John, we come to a section of scripture that is fueled threats.

This passage reveals stark contrasts between what threatens earthly kingdoms and what doesn’t threaten God’s Kingdom.

Let me set this up for us for a moment.

Turn in your Bibles to John 11.

This is the chapter where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

Most likely, this took place about 6 months before Jesus’ crucifixion - and the chapter that we’re looking at today.

So, notice, that the religious leaders are clearly threatened by Jesus’ influence and his growing popularity.

They are fearful - from earthly measurements - that they will lose their position and authority - their power.

Unfortunately they are overlooking the fact that He is the fulfillment of all that they had been hoping for.

But look at what happens next:

So, the high priest, the leader of this ruling council calms the group with a profound prophecy - that Jesus would die for the nation and bring unity.

That begs the question: Where do prophecies come from?

God

So, here in this prophecy and the in the actions of the council you have two kingdoms colliding.

The religious leaders seem to be viewing the prophecy in one way - resulting in greater power and influence.

As we see throughout the rest of scripture, God seemed to give this prophecy in order to accomplish something completely different, something grander - salvation for people of every nation, tribe, and language.

So, over the next few months, the religious leaders gather material for their case against Jesus - their biggest threat.

Meanwhile, Jesus continues to preach and teach about the Kingdom of God.

So, we come to the passage we are considering today - John 18-19, where Jesus is placed on trial before Pilate.

This trial takes place because the Roman authorities prohibited Jewish rulers from executing someone.

Even though their religious laws may have demanded death - the religious leaders could not mete out that judgement - so they needed Pilate’s conviction as well.

In light of this passage, we can discern several things that threaten earthly kingdoms.

For the purposes of our conversation - let’s consider two threats to earthly kingdoms and how those may or may not affect God’s Kingdom.

First of all, we learn that...

Earthly Kingdoms are threatened by influence

Jesus had gained so much influence and popularity that the Religious Leaders - thinking in earthly terms were threatened by Jesus.

They could not control Jesus.

His growing popularity threatened their authority.

We see this in various political movements

Black Lives Matter

TEA Party

#MeToo movement

Political leaders will acquiesce and accommodate groups that might aid their their ability to lead and rule, squashing groups that threaten that.

But, when you really look at the influence of Jesus - he was calling people back to a proper understanding of God and His Kingdom.

He was calling people to true repentance.

He was a legitimate threat to the leadership of the religious leaders because he undermined their controlling reign - calling people to a direct relationship with God.

One of the things that we have to keep in mind is that the earthly kingdom here is represented both by the religious leaders and by the political leaders - namely Pilate.

For Pilate - he knows that the religious leaders wield a lot of influence in his region - so he has to carefully balance a heavy handed rule and a cooperation with the religious influencers.

He’s walking a tight-rope that is perilously threatening.

I think the religious leaders know this.

They gave Pilate enough information to call him to detach some soldiers to arrest Jesus.

After the religious trial, they simply tell Pilate:

John 18:30 (ESV)

“If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.”

We learn a bit later, that they must have given Pilate some information that would truly be helpful and threatening to him and to Caesar because Pilate asks Jesus:

John 18:33 (ESV)

“Are you the King of the Jews?”

This question gives us some insight into some information that the Jews must have revealed to Pilate.

You see, for Jesus to be a popular teacher or miracle worker would not have been a big deal to Pilate, but for Jesus to be a King would imply that he is seeking to usurp authority and may be some sort of an insurrectionist.

His influence would have political ramifications - which would threaten Pilate personally and potentially threaten Rome.

Conversely,

Jesus’ Kingdom is not threatened by unbiblical influence

When Pilate asks Jesus if he is a King, Jesus never really admits it.

All of his language seems to push back on Pilate - “you say that I am a king.”

It’s almost as though King is not the correct title - but Kingdom is.

Part of the reason God’s Kingdom/Jesus’ Kingdom is not threatened by unbiblical influence is that His Kingdom operates from a different viewpoint.

Earthly kingdoms hold their power by force.

We see that going on between Russia and Ukraine.

We also observe that in our own political system - one person tries to wield influence over others by coercion.

Jesus even says that if his kingdom were of this world his people would fight.

Because he operates his kingdom by other rules, fighting, political games, power grabs are not a part of his kingdom.

Biblical values of humility, service, sacrifice are hallmarks of Jesus’ kingdom.

Throughout scripture God has communicated that he operates his kingdom differently than earthly kingdoms are operated.

You see, Jesus’ kingdom will prosper, not because we pass certain laws or ensure that one party is in control over another.

Jesus’ kingdom will prosper when the hearts of men and women, boys and girls are transformed by His sacrificial love, mercy, and grace.

pro life decisi

(Bobby - question about why doesn’t Jesus just conquer and force - resulting in resentment.

Jesus’ kingdom is ushered in when we align ourselves with him.

Then when he comes we’ll rejoice at his return rather than resent it).

Secondly,

Earthly kingdoms are threatened by popular opinion

Pilate declares Jesus’ innocence three times (John 18:38; 19:4, 6)

After the first declaration - he has Jesus flogged - because of the influence of the crowd.

It’s during this time that the soldiers give Jesus purple garments, a crown of thorns and mock him as king of the Jews.

He declares for the second time that Jesus is innocent in hopes of garnering their sympathy.

But they call for his crucifixion

After the third declaration of innocence - the Jews reveal their real reason for the death sentence - he called himself the “Son of God” (19:7)

Many political leaders were skeptical of religious things, but they were also superstitious.

Roman mythology was filled with encounters between gods and humans.

Pilate may be thinking - could this be one of them?

If so, then now he has beaten a demi-god and is contemplating putting him to death.

Pilate is scared.

He knows Jesus is innocent and does not deserve death.

Now he’s beaten this man/king/god.

The crowd appeals to loyalty to the very king they despise.

Pilate is swayed and eventually releases Jesus to be crucified.