The Wounds of Murder
By His Wounds We Are Healed • Sermon • Submitted
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· 2 viewsThe chief priests accused Jesus of sinning and yet they planned to murder Jesus which was against God's law and their law.
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Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
“You shall not murder.
Now the son of an Israelite mother and an Egyptian father went out among the Israelites, and a fight broke out in the camp between him and an Israelite. The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the Name with a curse; so they brought him to Moses. (His mother’s name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri the Danite.) They put him in custody until the will of the Lord should be made clear to them. Then the Lord said to Moses: “Take the blasphemer outside the camp. All those who heard him are to lay their hands on his head, and the entire assembly is to stone him. Say to the Israelites: ‘Anyone who curses their God will be held responsible; anyone who blasphemes the name of the Lord is to be put to death. The entire assembly must stone them. Whether foreigner or native-born, when they blaspheme the Name they are to be put to death. “ ‘Anyone who takes the life of a human being is to be put to death. Anyone who takes the life of someone’s animal must make restitution—life for life. Anyone who injures their neighbor is to be injured in the same manner: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The one who has inflicted the injury must suffer the same injury. Whoever kills an animal must make restitution, but whoever kills a human being is to be put to death. You are to have the same law for the foreigner and the native-born. I am the Lord your God.’ ” Then Moses spoke to the Israelites, and they took the blasphemer outside the camp and stoned him. The Israelites did as the Lord commanded Moses.
Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.” Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. So from that day on they plotted to take his life.
Introduction:
The following is an article from NPR from January 6, 2021.
Massive 1-Year Rise In Homicide Rates Collided With The Pandemic In 2020
Massive 1-Year Rise In Homicide Rates Collided With The Pandemic In 2020
Last year, an alarming increase in homicides left communities — often in lockdown — reeling as officials searched for answers. That was evident at lots of news conferences as police officials and mayors in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City rolled out dire news.
At the end of 2020, Chicago police reported more than 750 murders, a jump of more than 50% compared with 2019. By mid-December, Los Angeles saw a 30% increase over the previous year with 322 homicides. There were 437 homicides in New York City by Dec. 20, nearly 40% more than the previous year.
Mayor Bill de Blasio says the uptick should worry all New Yorkers and it has to stop.
"It's clearly related, in part, to the coronavirus and to the fact that people are cooped up," de Blasio said. "And it's certainly related to the fact that the criminal justice system is on pause and that's causing a lot of problems."
Have you noticed how much anger there is in our world today? Is it any wonder that murder is up in numbers? Even our own community was recently rocked with the news of a double homicide. As we continue through the Ten Commandments, we come to one that no one questions. “Do not murder!” Now I trust that no one in this room has actually acted out of anger and killed anyone, but are we guilty of other offenses that are just as damaging? Today, we will see that those accusing Jesus of sinning are actually violating God’s law against murder in their desperation to get rid of Him. Not only are they violating God’s law, but their own law as well.
Last week, we saw that when Jesus was arrested, Peter followed only to deny that he was a disciple of Jesus. Today, we look at Jesus interrogation by Annas.
Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.” When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded. “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God!
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Sermon:
Annas had been the high priest but Rome replaced him with his son-in-law Caiaphas. Caiaphas was a good diplomat and administrator, but the fact that Jesus was first brought to Annas shows that the people still respected Annas as their official. However, Caiaphas was the one yielding the power that Rome recognized. It is Caiaphas who is behind the actual plot to have Jesus crucified. So, let us step back and look at that moment when the definitive plot was created to see Jesus killed.
There had been much talk about being rid of Jesus and even killing Him. But to this point, there has been no definitive plan. Oh, there were times when they were so angry that they tried to lay hands on Him to stone Him, but He always managed to slip through their fingers and get away, only to return at another time.
So, what was the final straw? It was the raising of Lazarus from the dead. How could these leaders compete with that? What argument could they give the people against that action? There was none. They began to grow desperate as with each miraculous act Jesus grew in popularity with the people.
So, what was the threat to these men in this? They were afraid of two things; 1) That the people would get so excited that they would become a mob that Rome would have to destroy. Or, 2) That Rome would hear of this man’s popularity and would become concerned of an uprising and therefore, would destroy the Jews. In either case, they would lose their power, their affluence, and probably their lives.
In John 11:47, a meeting of the Sanhedrin is called to discuss the problem.
Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.”
Can you hear them? “We have talked and talked about this problem. We have even taken some action to no avail? Meantime, this man continues to do all these incredible things and the people following Him are growing in numbers! Sooner or later, Rome will be threatened and they will take away our beautiful Temple that Herod provided for us that makes us so special and they will take away our nation. We will have nothing left! Then where will we be? Paupers or even more likely, dead!
Their fear is understandable. This is an interesting dilemma that reveals a lot about their relationship with God. The Pharisees, for all their supposed righteousness, do not demonstrate any trust in God. They are more concerned and fearful of man than they are God. For all their bragging of their knowledge of scripture, prophecy is being fulfilled right before their eyes and they are blind to it.
Then you have the Sadducees. These men do not believe in resurrection, eternal reward or punishment. They are more concerned for their Temple than they are for God. In fact, this is not the original Temple, but the “new and improved version” provided by Herod. In all its luxury, it is more Herod’s Temple than God’s. God abandoned it long before this time.
I really think it is revealing that they say, “our temple” and “our nation.” They are focused on themselves, not the actual nation.
Then Caiaphas, the Roman appointed high priest, speaks up.
Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”
Caiaphas’s response makes it sound as if there has been some hesitation in setting Jesus up to be killed. Oh, they have tried in the heat of a moment, but there is still this niggling feeling of doubt regarding that far. But now Caiaphas phrases it in a way that demands it is the only alternative.
“Oh, it is not wrong to set this man up to die. You are doing this for the sake of 'the people!’ You are protecting your whole nation by doing so!”
Is it not amazing how easy it is to rationalize wrong action? If you couch it in just the right terms, you can actually lead people in a wrong direction. That is why the choice of leaders is so important.
And here is where we see God’s magnificent ability to use even evil people for His purposes. Joseph said it well, back in the book of Genesis. Years after Joseph’s brothers had sold him into slavery, he stands before them after their father’s death. Even though he had years before saved them all from starving to death and bringing them all to Egypt where they could prosper, they fear that now that daddy is gone, Joseph will turn on them and do them harm. How does Joseph respond? Genesis 50:20
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
That is exactly what is happening here! Caiaphas has no idea just how right he is, even though he means it in a different context, he is actually speaking prophetically.
You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”
The disciple John who wrote the book of John, notes this in hind sight and states just how prophetic it was.
He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.
Caiaphas was acting on his own behalf to save his own hide. However, God used Caiaphas’ evil act to accomplish the salvation of the whole world! Are we the master of our own fate? I believe scripture makes it clear that we are not. Jesus fate was signed in that very moment.
So from that day on they plotted to take his life.
It was not just talk now. They had put a plan in motion!
Little did they know that when they instigated Jesus death on the cross, they were serving God’s purpose to provide not only for their own salvation, but the salvation of the world.
However, that does not change the fact that what they did was murder. Jesus was innocent. They set Him up, even provided false witnesses to give testimony because there was not one person that could be found to give a valid testimony of any crime.
God set the people of Israel up with laws. His laws. However, over time, they had added to them to “improve” them. they had changed some to meet their desires, and they had misinterpreted or misconstrued them all. While Jesus walked this earth, He taught us to have the right understanding of the law. The reason He spoke with such understanding and authority is because, Jesus is the lawgiver. So, what did Jesus teach about the law and specifically about the law against murder. Look with me at Matthew 5.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
The Pharisees tried to use the law to benefit themselves, but God has always been focused on others. God works to protect us and give us the best life possible, that being one free of sin so we do not need the law. The only law that will one day remain is the law of love.
So, what did Jesus teach us about the law against murder?
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister, will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
God’s law is always relational. It is about a healthy relationship with Him and with others. To say not to murder does not take it relationally far enough. No, it goes further to anger or to anything we do that is damaging to our relationship with others.
Jesus then gives two examples. The first has to do with a brother or sister. Who is our “brother or sister?” It is talking about our kingdom relationships. God is our heavenly Father. He adopts us as His children. When we receive Jesus as our Saviour, we become brothers and sisters to each other. It is believe that it was Jesus’ teaching on this how the church began the practice of calling those in church, “brother such and such, “ or “sister so and so.” We are to treat a brother or sister in Christ, the same way we do our family. We all become one family.
One of my favorite things about the church is this idea of extended family. One of my favorite Psalms is Psalm 68:6.
God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
No one is without family if they are part of the family of God!
So, if we have offended someone within our “family” we are to go and try to make it right if we are able.
Jesus then takes it further and addresses times when we have offended people outside the church. We are to do what we need to do to rectify it. Now, in each of these cases it addresses times when we have done wrong or were perceived in doing wrong. This is not the same as times when someone has been offended when we have done right, particularly in times of disciplinary action. We have to keep in mind that we are to work for the good of a person.
There are a lot of people that deny what is termed, “tough love.” Tough love is when you need to set a hard boundary for someone who refuses to do right such as a child with an addiction. We are just as guilty of murder when we allow them to live at home and continue in an addiction. That addiction is destroying their life and if we enable their addiction, we are contributing to it. This can be drugs, alcohol, or gambling to name just a few. Personally, I believe those who have fought to legalize drugs will one day stand in account before God for murder the many they have enabled.
Not all anger is wrong. Jesus did not sin, but Jesus was angry at times. The most obvious was when He reacted to the vendors in the temple and turned over their tables. His was a righteous anger that came out of love and relationship with others. These men were hurting others by what they were doing. They were defiling God’s temple.
When we cause harm to another person in any way, we are guilty of the same offence as murder. It be through our actions, or perhaps our inaction to reach out and help someone in need either in their addiction, or in their poverty if we have the ability to aid them.
It is interesting that when Caiaphas proposed Jesus murder, it was political peace that he had in mind. However, the peace that Jesus had in mind was far beyond anything Caiaphas had in mind, for not only will it eventually bring world peace, but it will eventually provide eternal peace for all those who place their faith in Christ.
The plans of evil are ever active, ever stirring in the hearts of so many. Jesus called the devil a murderer, but the murder begins with a lie—a lie about who we are, and most importantly, whose we are (John 8:44). While his critics could not see the love of God at work in Jesus, it did not mean that Jesus gave up on them. He did not give up on anyone. He does not give up on any of us. We are not consigned to the judgment of being abandoned, even though he was abandoned on the cross.
The wounds of Jesus, the wounds of his death, are borne so that murder and death do not receive the last word. Love, reconciliation, everlasting peace—these are the last word of the cross. We see the world and all of humanity cross-eyed—through the lens of the cross. That is how we hear the challenge of discipleship when it comes to our brothers and sisters.
The ministry of reconciliation, love and peace is entrusted to us; our trespasses are not counted against us because of the wounds of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Yes, we are like “clay pots” carrying out this mission, and our own foibles and failings are going to show (2 Corinthians 5:7-12). But it was and is never really about us. It is about the One who gave his life for the sake of the people—for the sake of the whole world. We come to our brothers and sisters with this gift in the clay pots of our lives—even if it wounds us; even when it kills us; but love—yes, love—will be heard over all the terrors of this world. And the wounds of Christ will be all the more visible for all to behold.
So today, we nail to this cross, the sins of murder/anger/inaction or whatever other way we have broken the intent of this law, recognizing that our offenses were nailed to the cross in the form of Jesus body, that we may be set free from them. For by His wounds, we are healed!
Pray