Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- For many centuries the church has recited the Nicene Creed
- Pontius Pilate is singled out in this creed
- Jesus reminded Pilate that he was just a man and that it was God who was controlling all events
- Jesus' trial before the civil authorities
- Last week Jesus' trial before the religious authorities - Recap
- Now the civil trial
- He went before Pilate and Herod
- Overview:
- The opponents
- Pilate the Governor
- Jesus the accused
The Opponents
- The religious people
- More concerned with external appearance
- They were not holy men of God - they had seared consciences
- They were full of hatred and murder
- Consider 18:28
- They had a conscience over insignificance but not a conscience over murder
- Religious tradition
- They strained out a gnat but swallowed a camel
- We must not be all bound up in the little things forgetting weighty matters, moral matters, justice, etc
- They accuse Him of being an evildoer (18:30)
- Instead Jesus stands up for truth
- He does not return reviling for reviling
- Example of Christian lady
- Jesus forgave the people
- In another gospel they pervert the truth
- They have already brought a verdict before any evidence is brought (18:31)
- They are able to poison the minds of the people (19:15)
- How easily peoples' mind can be poisoned and change so quickly
- We need to be careful today what people say against Jesus and the Bible
- God is able to change hearts - Acts
- Many of the chief priests came to believe
- Jesus' brothers believed
- The apostle Paul
Pilate the Governor
- He was a weak and indecisive man
- He sought to release Jesus (18:12)
- Yet he had fear in his heart and his wife had troubled dreams
- Pilate is more concerned about his reputation than doing what is right
- He seeks to please the people
- He offers the people a choice of prisoners
- Pilate goes in and out: 18:28 - 19:16
- A very indecisive man
- Some people liken him to a person sitting on the 'Christian fence'
- He would not commit himself to truth - he says 'what is truth'
- He was more concerned about himself and popular perception
- Is this true of us?
- Examples
- Will you side with the truth or will you always be on the fence?
- What is truth? (18:38)
- There is such a thing as absolute truth
- Examples of our post truth society
- [Society says] Nothing is fixed, Nothing is from God
- Are you like Pilate?
Jesus the accused
- Pilate marveled that Jesus did not respond [until later on]
- Are you the King of the Jews? (18:32)
- Jesus is asking if Pilate really understands the question
- Jesus clarified the nature of His Kingdom
- Jesus' message was about the Kingdom of God
- His 'weapons' - truth, righteousness and love
- Are you part of the kingdom of God (not just baptised or a member of a church)?
- Jesus is speaking up for the benefit of Pilate and the benefit of us
- 'I have the power' (19:10)
- Jesus knows He is in the will and plan of God
- Jesus is fulfilling prophecy
- Jesus predicted His death
- Jesus was voluntarily doing the will of God
- The release of Barabbas was no coincidence
- We see the Son of God crucified in our place
- He freely and willingly went to the cross for you and me
- What will be our response this morning?