The Trial of Jesus
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
The Circumstances of the Trial
A religious trial
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
A civil trial
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 Characters of the Trial
The Pharisees
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
Pilate
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
Herod
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
Jesus Christ
His silence speaks so powerfully
He shows remarkable restraint
He was silent like a sheep before its shearer
He is submissive to the Father’s will
He does not correct the record
He knows He must go to the cross
He shows not retaliation
He is beaten, spat on, mocked
He does no call upon God or angels to intervene
He trusts His Father
John 19:10-11
He is willing to go the cross to die for sinners
He is holy, bold and true – trusting His Father’s will
The Conclusion of the Trial
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
Closing Remarks