Trial Period
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
A trial is a period in which something or someone is tested or assessed to see if they fulfill the necessary purpose or satisfy. Even crossfitness gyms have a trial period - money back guarantee. Most people are so concerned with losing money on something that the money back guarantee is reassuring. People will use the trial period to decide and then make a judgment before the trial is over.
Sometimes the people reject crossfitness as not working or not worth it because they approached it wrong during the trial. Perhaps unwilling to accept changing certain things as required. Others may reject it because they just couldnt decide if the pain was worth it. Still others may reject it because it wasnt as fun as they thought or it didnt fit their needs or situation. So as much as they might need the fitness they reject it because of the approach in the trial period.
Spiritually many do the same thing. During this life we all have the opportunity to find the salvation offered through Jesus, but depending on how we approach Him people tend to reject Him during their “trial” - We come to the trial of Jesus in Luke today and what I believe God is leading us to understand is it matters how we approach Jesus in whether we reject Him or accept Him. Jesus faces 4 trials in our text and each time He is rejected because they approached Jesus wrong. Jesus was misjudged and rejected at His trial - how do we keep from committing the same mistake? Lets read together and learn what God wants to say to us about how we approach and “try” Jesus.
66 When daylight came, the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the scribes, convened and brought him before their Sanhedrin. 67 They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I do tell you, you will not believe. 68 And if I ask you, you will not answer.
69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 They all asked, “Are you, then, the Son of God?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 “Why do we need any more testimony,” they said, “since we’ve heard it ourselves from his mouth?”
1 Then their whole assembly rose up and brought him before Pilate. 2 They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation, opposing payment of taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.” 3 So Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He answered him, “You say so.”
4 Pilate then told the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no grounds for charging this man.” 5 But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he started even to here.” 6 When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean. 7 Finding that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days.
8 Herod was very glad to see Jesus; for a long time he had wanted to see him because he had heard about him and was hoping to see some miracle performed by him. 9 So he kept asking him questions, but Jesus did not answer him. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him.
11 Then Herod, with his soldiers, treated him with contempt, mocked him, dressed him in bright clothing, and sent him back to Pilate. 12 That very day Herod and Pilate became friends. Previously, they had been enemies. 13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people,
14 and said to them, “You have brought me this man as one who misleads the people. But in fact, after examining him in your presence, I have found no grounds to charge this man with those things you accuse him of. 15 Neither has Herod, because he sent him back to us. Clearly, he has done nothing to deserve death.
16 Therefore, I will have him whipped and then release him.” 18 Then they all cried out together, “Take this man away! Release Barabbas to us!” 19 (He had been thrown into prison for a rebellion that had taken place in the city, and for murder.)
20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify! Crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What has this man done wrong? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have him whipped and then release him.”
23 But they kept up the pressure, demanding with loud voices that he be crucified, and their voices won out. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand 25 and released the one they were asking for, who had been thrown into prison for rebellion and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will.
Unwilling Accept Jesus
Unwilling Accept Jesus
66 When daylight came, the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the scribes, convened and brought him before their Sanhedrin. 67 They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I do tell you, you will not believe. 68 And if I ask you, you will not answer.
69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 They all asked, “Are you, then, the Son of God?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 “Why do we need any more testimony,” they said, “since we’ve heard it ourselves from his mouth?”
Jesu having been arrested late in the night after witnessing Peter’s third denial as He was escorted to Annas’s house (the man behind the curtain - the ex-high priest) and then to Caiaphas’s house. Now is in the daylight estimated 5:00 AM - 6:00 AM and standing before the elders of the people, chief priests and the scribes. The group convened together is known as the Sanhedrin - consisting of Elders, Chief Priests (Sadduccees) and Scribes (Pharisees). The Sanhedrin is the official judicial body, this council was the final court of appeals. If they find one guilty it was the final word and the nation would find them to be guilty. From other Gospel accounts we can know that this isnt the first trial before the Sanhedrin - this is just the legal trial.
Why did the Sanhedrin need to meet to put Jesus on trial again - they had already condemned Him during the night. Jewish law declared the trial at night to be illegal all criminal trials must begin and end in the daylight. Jewish law stipulates that only decisions made in the official meeting place were valid and the first trial was at Caiaphas’s house. Trials of criminal nature could not be done in the season of Passover. Only an acquittal can be issued on the trial day guilty verdicts had to wait for one day to allow time for feelings of mercy. All those condemned must be done on the testimony of two witnesses examined separately. Though many provided false witness - none were punished by death as prescribed in the law - neither were they punished at all.
Understanding that this “legal” trial was at this point a mere formality provides context for Jesus’s answers. The Sanhedrin questions Jesus and says If you are the Messiah then tell us. The language structure asserts that this is believed true. Jesus replies “If I do tell you, you will not believe. And if I ask you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.
Jesus is saying to them it is useless to discuss, they are not open to receive the truth. They are unwilling to accept Him as Messiah and instead judge Him to be worthy to die. You see in the night trial Jesus already answered this question and they found Him guilty.
62 The high priest stood up and said to him, “Don’t you have an answer to what these men are testifying against you?” 63 But Jesus kept silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
64 “You have said it,” Jesus told him. “But I tell you, in the future you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? See, now you’ve heard the blasphemy. 66 What is your decision?” They answered, “He deserves death!”
Jesus in His reply however states that they may judge Him now but soon He will be seated in power with the authority to return judgment. Not vindictively but in response to their false openness and piety and open rejection of Him.
It is a disingenuous and terrible thing to pretend openness to hearing who Jesus is when we have already made up our minds.
It is also a terrible mistake to think Jesus never declared who He was. Jesus declared Himself Messiah, Son of Man and also equal with God as the Son of God. This is why the next question from the Sanhedrin is “Are you the Son of God”. They have already made up their minds though - they were not going to accept Jesus.
They have seen the miracles, heard the testimony and been amazed and astonished with the rest of the people. Jesus however challenged their way of life and their comfort and power realized by living corruptly as they did.
Jesus answers them “You say that I am” - now in western eyes this looks like Jesus is neither confirming nor denying, but the truth is the idiom is basically the same as saying YES you speak rightly so.
The Sanhedrin then responds that there is no need for testimony - we have heard for ourselves. They didnt want the answer they wanted to charge Jesus. They are accusing Him of blaspheming but they never considered that this could be true and if true wasnt blaspheming at all. They refused and were unwilling to accept that Jesus was Messiah. Before the trial ever happened they had rejected Him.
There are none so blind as those who WILL NOT see
The most deluded people are those who choose to ignore what they already know.
Undecided on What to Do With Jesus
Undecided on What to Do With Jesus
1 Then their whole assembly rose up and brought him before Pilate. 2 They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation, opposing payment of taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.”
3 So Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He answered him, “You say so.” 4 Pilate then told the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no grounds for charging this man.” 5 But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he started even to here.”
Then their whole assembly that was gathered there rose up and took Jesus to Pilate. Under the current situation blasphemy charges were punishable by death, but they did not have the power of the sword as subject to Rome. So they needed to take Jesus to Pilate to be executed. Now Pilate could not care less about religious law especially religious law of the Jews, so they could not bring Jesus before Him for blasphemy. They decided to accuse Him of something Pilate would care about political charges.
This man was found misleading our nation - perverting or leading astray in sedition or rebellion
He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar - this is hopelessly false
25 “Well then,” he told them, “give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
He declares Himself to be Messiah - a king
All of these charges singularly would result in condemnation and execution - but with all three together it should be a done deal.
Pilate questions Jesus - are you the King of the Jews? Jesus replies the same way He did with the Sanhedrin - It is as you say - you say it rightly.
33 Then Pilate went back into the headquarters, summoned Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Are you asking this on your own, or have others told you about me?” 35 “I’m not a Jew, am I?” Pilate replied. “Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?”
36 “My kingdom is not of this world,” said Jesus. “If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”
37 “You are a king then?” Pilate asked. “You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
38 “What is truth?” said Pilate. After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no grounds for charging him.
Pilate declares that he finds no fault with Jesus. Declaring Him innocent. The Sanhedrin insisted fiercely - their desire for the death of Jesus was intense. Pilate was undecided and as we see later in verse 13 - doesnt know how to ultimately decide what to do with Jesus and being undecided about Jesus leads to the decision being made for us.
Refused To Take Jesus Seriously
Refused To Take Jesus Seriously
6 When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean. 7 Finding that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days. 8 Herod was very glad to see Jesus; for a long time he had wanted to see him because he had heard about him and was hoping to see some miracle performed by him.
9 So he kept asking him questions, but Jesus did not answer him. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 Then Herod, with his soldiers, treated him with contempt, mocked him, dressed him in bright clothing, and sent him back to Pilate. 12 That very day Herod and Pilate became friends. Previously, they had been enemies.
For now though Pilate doesnt have to decide because Jesus is a Galilean. Pilate pawned Jesus off to Herod since Galilee would fall under his jurisdiction. Herod also just happened to be in Jerusalem at that time. Now this is Herod Antipas son of Herod the Great. Antipas is the one who had John beheaded and the very same Herod whom Jesus called “that fox”
32 He said to them, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look, I’m driving out demons and performing healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will complete my work.’
Surprisingly we read that Herod was glad to see Jesus, for he had desired to see Jesus for a long time. He had heard many things about Him and was hoping to see some miracle done by Him. Herod’s interest in Jesus is purely superficial. Instead of the miracles and wonders of Jesus creating in Herod a desire to know and see the importance of Jesus - he instead focuses on the wow what will I get to see. Will Jesus entertain me will He perform for me.
Herod questioned Jesus but despite many questions Jesus did not answer Him. As Jesus remained silent those accusing him grew louder and more vehement in their accusations - taking on the character of their father - the one known as “the accuser”
Jesus would not answer or perform for Herod - so Herod entertained himself at Jesus’s expense and along with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mockery dressing Him as a “king”
Herod only wanted to be amused by Jesus and when He grew bored He mocked Him. Because Herod wanted Jesus to entertain him he didnt take the charge seriously. Jesus claiming to be Messiah king of the Jews - now Herod liked to play the part of practicing Jew like his father - so he would know about the significance of Messiah. Here was one who claimed to be Messiah but Herod could only jest and laugh - clearly not taking Jesus seriously. Jesus isnt someone claiming to be God to Herod Jesus is just a performer.
When we are more interested in our entertainment, happiness, and fun more than we are worship and holiness then we arent taking Jesus seriously
Interestingly Herod and Pilate become friends at the expense of Jesus. Enemies brought together in their being against Jesus. Interestingly Herod also finds Jesus innocent because he send Jesus back to Pilate.
Other People’s Opinions
Other People’s Opinions
13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14 and said to them, “You have brought me this man as one who misleads the people. But in fact, after examining him in your presence, I have found no grounds to charge this man with those things you accuse him of.
15 Neither has Herod, because he sent him back to us. Clearly, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore, I will have him whipped and then release him.” 18 Then they all cried out together, “Take this man away! Release Barabbas to us!”
19 (He had been thrown into prison for a rebellion that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) 20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify! Crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What has this man done wrong? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have him whipped and then release him.”
23 But they kept up the pressure, demanding with loud voices that he be crucified, and their voices won out. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand 25 and released the one they were asking for, who had been thrown into prison for rebellion and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will.
Pilate having again received Jesus from Herod calls together the chief priests and the leaders and also the people. Perhaps hoping that in this assembly there would be some who are favorable to Jesus. Pilate states you brought me Jesus as one who misleads but after judging in your presence I find no grounds to charge Him and neither has Herod. He clearly has done nothing deserving of death.
Herod in his authority examines and finds Jesus innocent. Declares also the innocence set down from Herod in his returning Jesus. Pilate says nevertheless though he is innocent I will have him whipped and released. A poor compromise - completely unjust and illogical - what judge delcares innocence but says nevertheless I will hand down a sentence. Driven by the opinions of others Pilate seeks to do whats right and please the crowd at the same time. If you are driven by others opinions you may find yourself rejecting what you actually need.
Pilate in failing to act decidedly and righteously with Jesus now finds himself trapped to appease the crowds. They ignore his judgment and verdict and cry out for Jesus to be taken and Barabbas to be released. Interesting to consider that the man innocent of sedition is to be traded in exchange for the man guilty of sedition. The crowd doesnt like the supposed compromise and again demands Barabbas now shouting Crucify, Crucify. The court of public opinion is a poor place to make decisions.
Interesting scene a cruel and ruthless governor trying to win the life of a miracle-working teacher against the crowds and religious leaders. Rejecting the Son of God for the son of the father.
Pilate wants to release Jesus - but cant ignore the crowds he gathered hoping to help him make the decision and as I said before if you are unwilling to make a decision sometimes that decision will be made for you.
The voices of the crowd won out, Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released Barabbas and handed Jesus over to their will. The crowd turned so quickyl from Hosanna to Crucify - in a short few days. Perhaps from disappointment in Jesus or perhaps just not wanting to be unpopular or go against the grain.
Pilate did not declare Jesus guilty, only that the crowds desires be granted. Pilate though he declared Jesus innocent didnt make a firm decision and judgment and must now execute Him because of the voice of the crowd.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Many attempts have been presented to absolve Pilate from the part he played. Pilate himself ceremoniously washed his hands to absolve himself. The idea is that he was a man caught in circumstance pressed into doing something he did not want to do. Undecided people will have decisions made for them - some with grave consequences. Never leave your decisions to the court of public opinion. Pilate had the authority to release Jesus as the innocent man he declared He was. He chose to appease the people and so he is forever part of church confession in the Apostle’s Creed
“Was crucified under Pontius Pilate”
People reject Jesus for the same reasons why He was ultimately handed over to be crucified. Jesus didnt perform, Jesus didnt please, their minds are made up already or they dont want to be the only one.
That Pilate delivered Jesus to their will is only half of the truth - for Jesus went to death because of the Father’s will - predestined and slain before the foundation of the world.
Communion
Communion
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.