The Trial of Jesus

April 2, 2023

Preacher: Andrew Love

Passage: Luke 22:63-23:25

Service Type: Sunday Evening

Introduction

Communion is about thanksgiving
- A time for seriousness and to remember all that it cost Christ
Looking at the trial of Jesus Christ
- A massive miscarriage of justice
  - We have known several miscarriages of justice - examples
  - The greatest is that of the false accusations and the death penalty against Jesus Christ
    - A great suffering
    - A great injustice
    - The bearing of sin (in our place)
  - The murderer Barabbas was released instead of Jesus
    - Jesus died in the place of Barabbas
    - Jesus died in our place
- Yet great good came from it
  - The greatest blessing came to this world
  - Jesus bring forgiveness of sins and a place in heaven with Him

You need to put all four gospels together to get the full account
- Jesus was up all night at Caiaphas' house
- Another trial in the morning with Herod
It was illegal to hold a trial a night - but the Jews didn't care
- They had brought false witnesses
v63-65 – they struck and blasphemed Jesus - He did not respond
v66 - the elders took Jesus before the Sanhedrin
- They were corrupt
- They come with false accusations - that were contradictory
- They twisted Jesus' words about His death and resurrection - but still things did not add up
v67-69 - the put Jesus under oath [Matthew] to answer if He is the Christ
- There was little point in responding
- He tells them "the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God"
v70 - They understand the prophecy of Daniel that He is equating Himself equal to God
- They accuse Him of blasphemy
- Yet they were the ones blaspheming the very Son of God

23:1 - They knew these religious ideas would not stick with Pilate
v2 - They brought false accusations to Pilate
- They subverted His word
- Jesus taught openly about forgiveness
- He did not pervert the nation in any way
- He was a King - of a spiritual kingdom, not to set up civil government
v3 - He answered Pilate's query without defending Himself
v4 - Pilate sees through their false accusations and finds no fault in Him
v5 -

The pharisees were offended
- Jesus pronounced woes upon them
- He used very strong language against them
They were jealous
They were corrupt
- They brought false accusations
- They encouraged Judas to take a bribe
- They had a kangaroo court
They were wicked

History records he is a brutal man
- Quote from non-Christian historian
- We may think he has a strong moral compass but he did not
  - Luke 13:1
What do we learn about him?
- He did not give in straight away to the Jewish request
  - His conscience was not totally seared
  - He sends Jesus to Herod
- He tried a cultural trick of offering to release Barabbas or Jesus
- Eventually he gives in
  - Despite a warning from his wife - Matthew 27:19
He is more concerned about his own position than justice
- He knows the accusation is grave
- He knows he could lose his job and his life if the situation comes before Caesar
  - Example of politician
- He has Jesus scourged

23:8-12
He had longed to see Jesus to see some miracle
- Yet he had John the Baptist beheaded
- He was initially fearful of Jesus thinking he was John the Baptist
He was not wanting to hear the teaching of Jesus - but see a miracle
- Do people go to church today wanting to see a miracle but not listening to the teachings of the Bible?
- Jesus did not answer him one word
He mocks Jesus and sends him back to Pilate
He becomes friends with Pilate

The people call down a curse upon themselves
- Consider the warning that Jesus spoke this morning (Luke 23:28-31)
Jesus' eye is upon the cross
- Obtaining a salvation for people
- For the joy set before Him, He endure the cross
He was fulfilling the purposes of God
- Isaiah
- That we who are guilty might be given
Trust in Jesus righteousness
- He satisfied all the demands of God's justice
- He who trusts in Jesus has forgiveness and eternal life