Trial of Jesus
Notes
Transcript
Handout
It is once again a privilage to be able to preach the word of God this morning. I know things are not ideal. I miss gathering together with the church to be able to great and encourage one anther. I enjoy spending time singing praises to the Lord, but miss hearing the unified voices of the church singing together. While things are not perfectly ideal, I do praise God that we have the technology to be able to gather together even virtually. Hopefully you are finding ways to connect to others, spend time investing in your faith in Christ, ministering to people around you, and finding ways to share the Gospel with others.
Last week Blake continued our series leading up to Easter by Highlighting the differences between Judas and Peter. Both men we sinful in their actions. Judas betrays Jesus and Peter denies him. Both are guilty, but yet the result of their sinfulness is vastly different. Judas takes his sin into his own hands and is destroyed. Peter on the other hand, repents and receives grace for God. God then uses Peter to be one of the key leaders in the early church. Sin is a big deal and we should not take it lightly. However, when we run to Christ, repent of our sins, and surrender to Him as Lord of our life, we will receive grace and forgiveness. God desires this for everyone. The gift of Jesus is a free gift available to everyone, we must simply respond in faith. Praise God for His gift of grace and forgiveness that truly makes a difference in our lives.
If you have your Bible, I invite you to turn to . This week, we continue our journey to the cross by looking at the trial of Jesus Christ. As we look at this passage, I pray God will use it to both challenge us and also comfort us. Jesus has been betrayed, arrested, abused, and is now dragged before Pilate to stand trial. One important thing for us to realize is that during the life of Christ, the Jews didn’t have power to put any one to death. They could arrest people, charge them, and even give punishment, but they could not sentence anyone to death. For the Pharisees, only the punishment of death would appease them. Since they could not make this decision, they were required to take Jesus to the Roman governor. So if you have Bible , please follow along as I read.
Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.
As we look at this passage, I want to start by looking at the trial itself.
The Trial
The Trial
Matthew tells us about a very chaotic trial. There are times when Pilate speaks to Jesus alone and other times when he addresses the crowd. Here we can see how each person acts in the trial. The first response and the most important is the response of Jesus
Response of Jesus
In modern day, we are used to trials where the accused are given a lawyer, given a chance to tell their story, and attempt to provide proof of their innocence. In our expectation of a trial of Jesus would perhaps we would expect the disciples to come before the governor talking about how great of a person Jesus was. They would highlight His achievements during His ministry. Jesus gave food to thousands of people at a time, healed the sick, raised the dead, taught with an authority was unmatched. If anyone in history were to given a reprieve based upon His actions and character it is Jesus Christ. Yet instead of trying to talk his way out of punishment, we see Jesus respond with one simple statement. “You have said so.” One statement that was exactly the truth and nothing more. Jesus is not looking to remove himself from the trial. He is not trying to clear His name. He is doing one thing and one thing alone. Jesus is being obedient to what God has called Him to do. In fact, we see Jesus struggling with this decision in the garden of gathsemene. His prayer that evening is for God to allow this cup to pass from him. Jesus is asking for God to provide another way for the salvation of mankind. He is so troubled that he is essentially sweating blood. But in the end, Jesus responds with not my will, but yours be done.
Jesus has accepted that God is leading Him to the cross to take the full punishment for sin and He goes willing. He provides no defense at the trial, but simply follows the path God has for Him. says,
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
The crucifixion was a horrible punishment but Jesus went willing. He endured the shame of the cross for the joy of following God. Pilate and the pharisees thought they were in charge of the trial, but Jesus was following the direction of God.
Completely opposite from the response of Jesus is the response of the Pharisees
b. Response of the Pharisees
The Pharisees talk as if they are bringing Jesus to trial because of their zeal for God. They tell people that he is a blasphemer. Telling Pilate that Jesus is seeking to raise people up against Rome. However, none of these things are true. Pilate even knows it. Matthew says Jesus was delivered up out of envy by the Pharisees. These religious leaders were jealous about the influence Jesus had. Jesus taught with more authority than them. He was able to perform miracles and signs from God. Instead of accepting, following Jesus, and learning from Him, they acted out of self preservation. For the Pharisees, Jesus represented something different than they understood. He gave forgiveness apart from their influence. They simply refused to accept that God was doing something without them. So they arrested Jesus away from the crowds of people, they brought him before Pilate to have him put to death. With Jesus out of the way, they believed they could continue life as they had always known it. They acted out of selfishness and self-preservation. There was no seeking of the truth or the things of God, but simply looking out for themselves.
The response of Jesus and the Pharisees was different, but there was one other person in this passage that responded.
c. Response of Pilate
Pilate is looking for the truth. He knows a little about Jesus, but is not a follower. He is asking questions perhaps desiring that Jesus would give Him a reason to release this man. He is even warned by his wife to have nothing to do with this man. In fact, she says she has suffered much because of Jesus in a dream. Some people think that this dream was Satan’s attempt to stop Jesus from going to the cross. Others think that this was a warning to prevent the blood of an innocent man from being on the hands of Pilate. Whatever is the case, Pilate is taking is time and is amazed by the silence of Jesus.
So instead of condemning Jesus, he offers the crowd a choice. Pilate is trying to find away to not have to condemn Jesus to die. I don’t believe he really understands who Jesus is or what is occuring, but he knows Jesus is innocent.
All three of these responses are different. Each person in the world is going to make a decision and respond to Christ. It will either be with surrender, just like Jesus surrendered to the will of God or rejection like the Pharisees. Some people may try and not make a decision or ride the fence like Pilate, but even that is equal to a rejection of Christ.
And so as the people reject Jesus Christ, they request an exchange.
2. Exchange
In an attempt to free Jesus, Pilate offers to set free either Jesus Christ or Barabbas. Jesus an innocent teacher or Barabbas a notorious prisoner. This seems like an easy option. Of course you choose the innocent. but the people choose Barabbas. They trade the Holy for the wordly
a. Jesus for Barabbas, Holy for the wordly
Each and every day, we face decisions about what we are going to choose. We can follow what the world has for us. Strive to find happiness in jobs, entertainment, money, etc. While these can provide enjoyed for a brief period, they ultimately leave us unfulfilled and without purpose. The things of this world are not all evil, but must be enjoyed through the plans of God. We must choose what is Holy and Godly. God will lead us when we trust in Him and seek His truth. Things are not always easy, but we have a savior who understands our struggles. Jesus was tempted in every way we are, but where we often fail, Jesus succeeded. He faced temptations and struggles, but yet he was without sin. We have the same ability to live for Christ and faithfully say no to temptation. Not through our own will, but through the Spirit of God, who guides us and empowers believers.
b. Misdirection of the Pharisees
The other thing we need to notice in this passage is the misdirection of the Pharisees. We already discussed how they were seeking to kill Jesus for their own selfish ambition and gain, but they go to great lengths to see this happen. They are walking among the crowd insighting them to cheer for Barabbas and to crucify Jesus. Perhaps some of the same people who just a few days ago were cheering for Jesus as he entered Jerusalem are now cheering for His crucifiction. There is a great warning for us today.
We need to be careful where we receive our information and direction. The Pharisees were supposed to trust religious leaders, to interpret the scriptures and guide people in the law. Instead of giving the people truth they spread lies to further their own reputation. When I prepare and get up to preach the word of God, I strive to tell the truth of God. I have spent time reading God’s word, praying, and asking God to provide insight into His truths. I don’t want to share my opinions, but the truth of God. So I encourage you, do not simply take what I’m saying as truth simply because I am a pastor. But engage the word of God yourselves as well. Look at my words and comments, comparing them against God’s word. While most pastors are faithfully serving the church through a calling from God, unfortunately there are some people who seek only to elevate themselves. So spend time in prayer, spend time in the Bible and let God open your eyes to His truth.
While the people are technically making a choice about who to free, Jesus is actually offering himself in exchange.
c. Offer of exchange
This is not just simple exchange of own life for another. Not the exchange of one guilty man for an innocent. No, this is Jesus offering himself as the sacrifice for the sins of the world. Barabbas is about to go free because Jesus is going to take His place, but this is just a small picture of what Jesus is going to do. says,
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Jesus is going to the cross so he may become sin. He is offering to exchange the guilt of sin for His righteousness. Pilate and the Pharisees cannot comprehend the extent of their actions, but Jesus going to provide that every person in the world will have a choice. Each of us can accept Jesus as the sacrifice for our sinful and be declared righteous or we can reject and bear the weight of our sinfulness. There is no other exchange in history that has carried this much weight and there is not other choice more important then our choice about Jesus Christ.
The final step of the trial is the condemnation
3. Condemnation
a. Declaration of innocence
The fact that Pilate declares Jesus innocent is of extreme important. In the Old Testament, there was something called the Scapegoat. A perfect goat, without blemish or flaw would be selected to carry the sinfulness of Israel. After the goat symbolically received Israel’s sins by being prayed over, the goat was then released into the wilderness. Jesus is doing the same thing. He has been examined, tried, and declared to be innocent. If Jesus is not innocent, he is not worthy to take the sins of the world, he would not be a perfect sacrifice. Through Pilate, God is declaring Jesus to be the perfect sacrifice for the world. Even though Jesus is innocent, He is still condemned to die.
b. Innocent condemned to death
Jesus is led like a lamb to the slaughter. An innocent man is beaten, abused, and killed in the most inhumane way possible. This is the son of God. He stepped out of heaven, left paradise to come to earth. He was tempted and faced trials. He spent years teaching and performing miracles. So what was the gift given for His efforts, for his teaching, his love and kindness. Death. He fulfills all the prophecies of the old testament. Jesus is God’s plan for a lost and dying world. God is providing for us at the cost of pouring His wrath out on His own son.
c. God’s ultimate gift of grace
Jesus is the ultimate gift of God’s grace. Not a single person has ever been deserving of the grace of God. The Bible tells us that all of us are sinners and that the wages of sin is death. You know what. My children say all the time that life isn’t fair. Basically when they want to do something and they are told no, that is some how factual evidence that life isn’t fair. I for one celebrate that life isn’t fair. Fair would be that I face the punishment for my sin. Fair is spending the rest of eternity enduring the wrath of God. Personally I am grateful that God offers us grace at all.
So for us today, the question is pretty simple. What will you do with the gift of God? Will you reject it like the Pharisees? Strive to push it off like Pilate? or embrace the will of God like Jesus? Jesus came to die on the cross so we could have a personal relationship with Him. So today, if you have never began that relationship, I would invite you to respond now. Tell God you know you have disobeyed him, that you are a sinner and have acted outside of His will. Confess your wrongdoing. Surrender your life to Him by asking Him to come into your life and by giving him control over you life. Believe that Jesus is the son of God, that he came to earth, lived a perfect life, died for your sins, and that God raised him from the dead. And then confess that Jesus is your Lord, find others to tell. Family, church people, simply declare your love for Jesus and that he has changed your life.
If you already have started that personal relationship with Christ, I would ask you to seek what God is calling you to do today. What is He seeking you to learn? How can you trust and have faith in Him even more? So as we sing, I ask you to spend time seeking God, praying, and responding appropriately.