Luke 22:63-23:25: Jesus on Trial

Tommy Meador

The Gospel of Luke • Sermon • Submitted 2 months ago • Presented 2 months ago

Luke 23:18–25

Luke 22:63–23:16

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Introduction

Pink flamingos in yard - Know 3 of the guilty… Shame them…

You and I deserve shame, but instead we get an inheritance.

This morning, some of you feel shame. If you feel shame, I want you to see the shame that Jesus took upon Himself for you so that you could walk in joy and victory instead of shame.

Basic judicial principle - guilty deserve punishment. Innocent deserve freedom. That basic judicial principal flipped on its head in Luke 22-23 - The most unfair, unjust trial in human history. The innocent one severely punished and the guilty set free.

Unthinkable: the Son of God - the ONE who is the judge of the living and the dead on trial for you.

Will you keep walking in the shame of your sin, or will you embrace the ONE who willingly took your shame upon Himself?

If we know that Jesus is the King who took our shame, why do some of us resist the work of the King? Three truths this morning to help you embrace the work of the King.

Jesus is King whether you believe or not.

The religious leaders have their man. For a couple of years they plotted and waited for this moment. Now, they have the Son of God in custody.

Jesus immediately beaten and mocked by the guards at the home of the high priest (vs. 63-65). Economy of words. Luke does not describe in detail the horror of the night. Jesus alone. No disciples present.

Jesus silent before abusers. Endures suffering (Isaiah 53:7).

At daybreak, Jesus before the Sanhedrin. This is a hastily thrown together trial. Jewish leaders want this over with by the Sabbath. It’s Friday morning. This trial has to be done quickly.

Because of Roman oppression, the Jews couldn’t even sentence someone to death. If they wanted Jesus dead, they had to go through Rome.

So badly want Jesus executed, they hastily throw a trial together. What has Jesus done? What is He guilty of? He hasn’t led an insurrection. He hasn’t committed any crimes.

Sanhedrin looking for a charge: “Are you the Messiah?”

Jesus’ reply shocking to Sanhedrin: “But from now on the Son of Man will be seated in the place of power at God’s right hand.”

Son of Man = Daniel 7:13-14 - Sanhedrin understood the reference. Jesus claim absolute Kingship and deity - He is the JUDGE who is being judged by sinful people. And, no matter the outcome of this farce of a trial, Jesus would still be the judge.

Vs. 70 - a follow up question - double checking Jesus - “Are you the Son of God?” If Jesus admitted, blasphemy in eyes of Sanhedrin. If Jesus is the Son of God, exclusive authority because of relationship to the Heavenly Father. Jesus’ reply: “You say that I am.” (Luke already given us evidence: virgin birth, baptism, transfiguration, etc.)

That was enough for them - “Why do we need any more testimony?” (vs. 71) For Sanhedrin, Jesus guilty of blasphemy.

Reality: testimony to Jesus’ Lordship that they ignored. Religious leaders had plenty of evidence that Jesus was the Son of God whom they needed - miracles, teaching, etc. They had witnessed truth for three years, but had made up their minds. Truth was before them and they outright reject. (John 10:24-26)

For you this morning, maybe for years, truth has looked you straight in the eyes and you reject. Simple truth: Jesus is King whether you believe it or not. Rejection of Jesus does not for one second diminish His Lordship.

Rejection of Jesus is not intellectual - Christian faith is very intellectual, logical, etc. Plenty of proof for the existence of God and plenty of historical proof for Jesus. Can’t claim that the Gospels are made up fairy tales. Rejection of Jesus is a heart issue.

Why do people reject Jesus?

Jesus is a threat to autonomy. Autonomy = I’ll be who I want to be with no judgement. I am in charge of my own life to live however I determine to live. I am in control of my own destiny.

Jesus is a threat to a secular worldview. Secular worldview - I think/believe what I want to believe with no judgement. Man at the center of existence - You be you. You determine truth and live out your truth. You determined your morality. In a secular worldview, Christianity increasingly evil because Christianity makes an exclusive truth claim.

Jesus is a threat to a secular lifestyle. Secular lifestyle = I do what I want to do with no judgment.

These are heart issues that lead to rejection of Jesus. Beware of these heart issues in your own life that may have caused you to make up your own mind that Jesus is not God and is not worthy of your surrender.

Problem for Christians - we allow a secular influence to invade our lives and influence us. Our kids know more Taylor Swift lyrics than they know Bible.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/florida-man-150-live-bugs-in-nose_n_65d52505e4b0b65d6920e19e - eroding - the kingdom of this world eating away at you - but there is ONE who wants to heal and change you.

Jesus is King whether you are ambivalent or not.

Sanhedrin agreed on Jesus’ fate, but they could not legally execute Jesus. Jesus taken to Roman governor, Pilate. (Pilate stone in Caesarea Maritima.)

Pilate lived in Caesarea Maritima but came to Jerusalem during Jewish festivals and stayed at Herod’s palace. Pilate had served for a decade and hated by Jews because he promoted idolatry. Also, Pilate built an aqueduct for Jersualem by taking money out of temple treasury. Sanhedrin hated Pilate, but they needed him.

Jesus exhausted. He’d been beaten and mocked. Members of Sanhedrin make a false accusation to get Pilate’s attention: “Tells people not to pay taxes…”

Painting Jesus as a threat to Rome. Pilate’s question: “Are you the King of Jews.” Jesus” “You have said it.”

Pilate doesn’t know what to do with Jesus. Jesus’ claim that He’s King of Jews doesn’t mean that He’s done anything wrong. Pilate has no evidence that Jesus intends to incite a rebellion against Rome. Luke the Gospel writer showing us that Jesus stood before Rome and was found innocent. He is the innocent Son of God. (vs. 4).

When Jews make further accusations, and Pilate finds out Jesus is from Galilee, Pilate sends Jesus to Herod Antipas, ruler in Galilee, who was in Jerusalem at the time.

Pilate passing it off - Jesus not worth his time. Pilate has bigger issues to concern himself with than a Jewish man claiming to be Messiah.

Herod a madman - NOT Herod the Great - but he had John the Baptist beheaded. Wants to see Jesus do a miracle - to entertain him. Jesus silent before Herod (Isaiah 53:7), and chief priests and scribes infuriated. Why isn’t Herod condemning Jesus? Instead, mocks Jesus. Puts a royal robe on him and sends back to Pilate.

Pilate and Herod ambivalent to Jesus. They do not condemn Jesus yet they also do not embrace Jesus.

Vs. 12 - Pilate and Herod become friends - fulfillment of Psalm 2:2.

Back to Pilate - Pilate can’t stay ambivalent - He’s going to have to make a decision. “I find him innocent.” Determines to have Jesus flogged and sent away. Common in those days. Matthew 27:24 - Pilate washed hands - “I am innocent of this man’s blood.” Pilate wants nothing to do with this.

Religious leaders outraged - the last thing they want to hear. All the while - Jesus stands in silence - confident in the work the Father has laid before Him. Hebrews 12:2 - treated like a criminal yet He despising the shame for the joy set before Him.

Pilate different than Sanhedrin - not passionately opposed to Jesus - just doesn’t want anything to do with Jesus.

Some radically opposed to Jesus and the Christian faith - some not - just ambivalent. Not against Jesus necessarily, just don’t care to know Jesus. Maybe that’s some in this room - not opposed to Jesus. You just don’t care enough to know Jesus.

Why are some ambivalent to Jesus?

You don’t have a Christian background. (Or, you have a Christian background) Pilate didn’t care because he wasn’t Jewish - his background in some ways precluded him from caring. Your background might preclude you from investigating the claims of Jesus. Your background may be a different religion, or no religion, so you’re not predisposed to Christianity. BUT… just because you don’t have a Christian background doesn’t mean you don’t need Jesus. You may not have heard about Jesus much growing up, but it doesn’t mean you don’t need Him.

You don’t understand the significance of Jesus. That’s the major problem for many. You have friends and family who aren’t opposed to Jesus as much as they just don’t understand His significance. For many, everything else is far more significant than Jesus - career, wealth, pursuit of happiness, education, etc. Those are the things people dwell on. Most know something is missing, but don’t understand that what’s missing is Jesus.

You don’t have time for Jesus. Because many do not see the significance of Jesus, they’re just not going to invest the time into knowing Jesus because giving time to everything else.

Ambivalent describes so many people you know and could describe you. People need to know from you the significance of Jesus. To stay ambivalent is to reject Jesus.

Jesus is King whether you acknowledge Him or not.

Crowd unhappy with Pilate’s decision. At Passover customary to release a prisoner. Barabbas = An insurrectionist - a committed murderer. Barabbas - plenty of evidence against him - sought to bring about change by force. Barabbas is the epitome of everything that is evil. Jesus - no evidence of any wrongdoing. Sought to bring about change by love and sacrifice. Pilate to crowd: Do you want me to release Jesus? Chief priests stir up crowd: “No, Barabbas.” Imagine Pilate’s shock.

Imagine Barabbas’ shock when he is freed. BUT… Jesus not shocked at all when He hears the crowds cry, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” He knows that He will be rejected by His own (John 1:11).

Barabbas goes free and Jesus stands in his place - foreshadows what would happen at the cross in a few short hours. Barabbas was supposed to die, but Jesus stood in his place, and on the cross, Jesus stood in your place as well. The King of kings willingly endured the shame and disgrace of this farce of a trial.

From the people He came for, He endured the shame of being treated as a criminal while a real criminal was set free.

Jesus endured shame for you - (Hebrews 12:2) - the shame of the cross - the most horrific death imaginable - nailed to a tree despising the shame - with His eyes on the goal. Your redemption.

Rising from the dead three days later so that all your sin could be forgiven and all your shame removed.

If you acknowledge Jesus as King today, all your shame can be removed.

Truth: you should feel shame when you realize that it was your sin that caused the death of an innocent man.

BUT: you do not have to live in shame because at the cross Jesus took your shame upon Himself. Colossians 2:14: Jesus cancelled our debt record and nailed it to the cross.

Rom. 8:1 - No condemnation in Christ Jesus.

The shame that Jesus bore was your shame. He carried your guilt. He carried your punishment for your sin. You deserve shame, but Jesus wants to cover your shame with His grace.

Zeph. 3:17 - If you run to His grace, you will not hear the voice of condemnation, but the voice of acceptance and singing.

If you refuse to acknowledge Jesus as King today, you will one day be shamed.

Jesus is King, and if you don’t see it now, there will come a day when you see clearly your rebellion and sin.

If you do not turn from your sin and acknowledge Jesus as Lord, on the day of judgment - you will fully understand your guilt and shame when you hear the Lord say, “Depart from me, I never knew you.