WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.940 So Mark chapter 15, we're going to read from verse 1 to verse 20. 00:00:05.299 --> 00:00:08.939 Last week we looked at Jesus' trial before the Jewish religious leaders. 00:00:08.939 --> 00:00:13.580 This time here is Jesus before the Roman governor Pilate. 00:00:14.019 --> 00:00:16.480 Let's hear the word of God together. 00:00:18.500 --> 00:00:22.440 Very early in the morning, the chief priests with the elders, 00:00:22.620 --> 00:00:25.519 the teachers of the law, and the whole Sanhedrin reached a decision. 00:00:25.519 --> 00:00:31.179 They bound Jesus, led him away, and turned him over to Pilate. 00:00:31.879 --> 00:00:34.519 Are you the king of the Jews? asked Pilate. 00:00:35.000 --> 00:00:37.799 Yes, it is as you say, Jesus replied. 00:00:38.480 --> 00:00:41.159 The chief priests accused him of many things. 00:00:41.799 --> 00:00:45.320 So again Pilate asked him, aren't you going to answer? 00:00:45.939 --> 00:00:48.399 See how many things they are accusing you of. 00:00:49.359 --> 00:00:53.799 But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed. 00:00:53.799 --> 00:00:59.559 Now it was the custom at the feast to release a prisoner whom the people requested. 00:01:00.359 --> 00:01:03.759 A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists 00:01:03.759 --> 00:01:06.099 who had committed murder in the uprising. 00:01:06.739 --> 00:01:10.799 The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did. 00:01:11.799 --> 00:01:15.000 Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews? asked Pilate, 00:01:15.599 --> 00:01:19.659 knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. 00:01:19.659 --> 00:01:24.859 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. 00:01:26.019 --> 00:01:29.799 What shall I do then with the one you call the king of the Jews? 00:01:29.899 --> 00:01:30.719 Pilate asked them. 00:01:31.620 --> 00:01:33.500 Crucify him, they shouted. 00:01:34.179 --> 00:01:34.679 Why? 00:01:35.219 --> 00:01:37.859 What crime has he committed? asked Pilate. 00:01:38.280 --> 00:01:41.900 But they shouted all the louder, crucify him. 00:01:41.900 --> 00:01:47.880 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. 00:01:48.500 --> 00:01:52.860 He had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified. 00:01:53.920 --> 00:01:58.620 The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace, that is the praetorium, 00:01:59.100 --> 00:02:02.340 and called together the whole company of soldiers. 00:02:02.340 --> 00:02:09.319 They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. 00:02:09.819 --> 00:02:12.000 And they began to call out to him, 00:02:12.500 --> 00:02:14.500 Hail, king of the Jews. 00:02:15.120 --> 00:02:20.879 Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spat on him. 00:02:21.939 --> 00:02:24.580 Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. 00:02:24.580 --> 00:02:31.720 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. 00:02:32.200 --> 00:02:35.720 Then they led him out to crucify him. 00:02:36.520 --> 00:02:37.120 Amen. 00:02:38.080 --> 00:02:41.439 Let's think about the first 20 verses there. 00:02:42.280 --> 00:02:48.140 As we look again at this, now the second trial that Jesus undergoes. 00:02:48.139 --> 00:02:54.979 As we see Jesus being rejected as king in this section. 00:02:56.379 --> 00:03:03.099 There is a saying that goes along the lines that we need to learn from history, 00:03:03.799 --> 00:03:08.599 or we will simply repeat its mistakes. 00:03:09.659 --> 00:03:15.759 And I think it's important for us as we focus on this second trial scene, 00:03:15.759 --> 00:03:20.659 as we look at Jesus now on trial as king of the Jews. 00:03:21.259 --> 00:03:25.159 So the Jewish religious leaders had tried him in the religious court 00:03:25.159 --> 00:03:28.000 in order to find him guilty of blasphemy. 00:03:28.620 --> 00:03:33.379 But they knew that a Roman court would never convict a person to die for blasphemy. 00:03:33.500 --> 00:03:37.219 So they're charging Jesus with claiming to be king of the Jews. 00:03:37.620 --> 00:03:41.299 They want Pilate to find him guilty of treason against Caesar. 00:03:41.300 --> 00:03:51.640 It's important for us to recognize that while in some ways Pilate and the soldiers are very different from us, 00:03:52.700 --> 00:03:56.700 they are also guilty of mistakes that we ourselves can make. 00:03:57.300 --> 00:04:04.860 As we find Jesus being subjected to more injustice, as we see him face dishonor, 00:04:04.860 --> 00:04:09.400 it's important for us to see that these figures, these stories, 00:04:10.120 --> 00:04:12.240 can and should in a way serve as mirrors, 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:15.740 exposing our own hearts and lives, 00:04:15.860 --> 00:04:20.960 causing us to reflect on how we respond to Jesus. 00:04:21.639 --> 00:04:23.660 So we're going to think about Pilate. 00:04:23.759 --> 00:04:25.319 We're going to think about the Roman soldiers. 00:04:25.460 --> 00:04:26.900 We're going to think about Barabbas. 00:04:27.400 --> 00:04:30.860 We're going to think about how did Jesus impact their lives? 00:04:30.860 --> 00:04:33.360 How do they react to Jesus? 00:04:34.660 --> 00:04:37.379 And in what ways, if any, am I like them? 00:04:38.560 --> 00:04:40.259 How should I pray for myself? 00:04:40.580 --> 00:04:43.480 How should I pray for others in light of these character traits? 00:04:43.580 --> 00:04:49.600 What difference will it make to see our own hearts being revealed in this story? 00:04:50.699 --> 00:04:53.819 So let's look at these characters and let's see what we can learn, 00:04:53.960 --> 00:04:57.580 beginning with Pilate, who is the Roman governor. 00:04:57.579 --> 00:05:08.240 Now, I think Mark wants us to understand that Pilate doesn't believe Jesus is worthy of death. 00:05:08.279 --> 00:05:12.919 He believes Jesus is innocent of this charge that's brought against him. 00:05:13.759 --> 00:05:15.459 Well, let's see how this plays out. 00:05:15.560 --> 00:05:21.860 So in verse 1, the religious leaders of the Jews bring Jesus to Pilate. 00:05:21.860 --> 00:05:27.620 And they've obviously told Pilate that he is claiming to be the king of the Jews. 00:05:28.300 --> 00:05:32.020 And so Pilate asks Jesus the question, are you the king of the Jews? 00:05:32.480 --> 00:05:34.060 Yes, it is as you say. 00:05:34.699 --> 00:05:39.139 One of the interesting things about this trial, same as with the religious trial, 00:05:39.699 --> 00:05:41.220 is the silence of Jesus. 00:05:42.379 --> 00:05:45.180 And see there in verse 4, 00:05:45.180 --> 00:05:52.000 Pilate is struck by the fact that Jesus remains silent despite the many accusations being brought 00:05:52.000 --> 00:05:54.600 by the Jewish religious leaders. 00:05:55.220 --> 00:06:02.120 Pilate is not used in his courtroom to see someone with this level of composure and dignity 00:06:02.120 --> 00:06:05.460 when they're on trial for their lives. 00:06:05.720 --> 00:06:09.379 But this is Jesus fulfilling his role as the suffering servant. 00:06:09.579 --> 00:06:14.100 In Isaiah 53, we're told that Jesus would suffer silently. 00:06:14.100 --> 00:06:16.280 And we see this here. 00:06:17.879 --> 00:06:20.960 So here is Jesus before Pilate. 00:06:21.400 --> 00:06:25.879 Pilate, we're told in verse 5, is amazed by Jesus. 00:06:27.220 --> 00:06:29.379 And it seems that from the beginning, 00:06:29.980 --> 00:06:35.960 Pilate wants to find a way to not have to try or sentence Jesus. 00:06:36.560 --> 00:06:40.360 And so we're introduced to this custom in verse 6. 00:06:40.360 --> 00:06:45.939 It was the custom at the feast, that's the Passover feast, 00:06:46.280 --> 00:06:49.780 to release a prisoner whom the people requested. 00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:52.220 So the Romans are now in charge over Israel. 00:06:53.300 --> 00:06:56.759 But they have set this law where once a year at the Passover, 00:06:56.939 --> 00:07:01.340 time of great national celebration, a prisoner can be set free. 00:07:01.339 --> 00:07:11.639 So Pilate, naturally, when the crowd in verse 8 come and ask Pilate for a release, 00:07:12.560 --> 00:07:13.539 says to them, 00:07:13.919 --> 00:07:17.439 Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews? 00:07:18.120 --> 00:07:20.579 Because at this stage, he's already figured out 00:07:20.579 --> 00:07:26.000 that the real motive behind the charge against Jesus is envy, 00:07:26.599 --> 00:07:28.339 is self-interest. 00:07:29.800 --> 00:07:33.039 That they are issuing trumped up charges 00:07:33.039 --> 00:07:36.000 in order to get rid of an opponent 00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:39.779 who's taking popularity from the religious leaders. 00:07:39.779 --> 00:07:44.559 When it gets to the end, 00:07:45.339 --> 00:07:48.719 when Pilate nails his colors to the mast, 00:07:49.599 --> 00:07:54.359 when the crowd begin crying out that Jesus should be crucified, 00:07:55.739 --> 00:07:57.619 look at verse 14. 00:07:59.199 --> 00:08:00.299 Pilate asks the question, 00:08:00.500 --> 00:08:00.879 Why? 00:08:01.679 --> 00:08:04.919 What crime has he committed? 00:08:05.659 --> 00:08:08.099 So there is Pilate's personal verdict. 00:08:08.100 --> 00:08:12.600 Pilate, Jesus has done nothing deserving of death. 00:08:12.660 --> 00:08:17.140 He's not the dangerous revolutionary guilty of treason 00:08:17.140 --> 00:08:20.900 that the religious establishment have set him up to be. 00:08:21.280 --> 00:08:24.740 So Pilate believes he has done no crime, 00:08:25.120 --> 00:08:28.800 but in verse 15, 00:08:28.879 --> 00:08:33.180 nevertheless, he condemns Jesus as guilty. 00:08:34.420 --> 00:08:36.759 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, 00:08:36.759 --> 00:08:39.519 Pilate released Barabbas to them. 00:08:40.360 --> 00:08:44.259 He had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified. 00:08:45.899 --> 00:08:48.879 Here is another injustice against Jesus. 00:08:49.980 --> 00:08:53.399 Here is a judge willingly and knowingly 00:08:53.399 --> 00:08:56.179 condemning an innocent man 00:08:56.179 --> 00:09:00.879 and doing it blatantly in order to please the crowd, 00:09:00.879 --> 00:09:05.220 in order to secure his political position. 00:09:06.220 --> 00:09:10.519 Now when we see this going on in world politics today, 00:09:10.600 --> 00:09:11.980 we are rightly horrified. 00:09:12.100 --> 00:09:15.120 But here we see it in Jesus, 00:09:16.379 --> 00:09:18.720 that Pilate condemns him as guilty 00:09:18.720 --> 00:09:22.700 for his own self-interest. 00:09:22.700 --> 00:09:30.040 That begs an important question from us. 00:09:30.800 --> 00:09:35.700 Are you and I, are we, like Pilate, people pleasers? 00:09:36.700 --> 00:09:40.860 Do we live with the fear of man 00:09:40.860 --> 00:09:46.879 so that that's what determines how we live and how we act? 00:09:46.879 --> 00:09:50.580 What does that look like for us compared to Pilate? 00:09:50.659 --> 00:09:54.700 Well, perhaps it might look like hiding our beliefs, 00:09:55.799 --> 00:09:59.700 hiding our values and behavior under pressure 00:09:59.700 --> 00:10:02.860 from family, from friends, from colleagues. 00:10:02.860 --> 00:10:04.639 Or maybe it's just a perception 00:10:04.639 --> 00:10:07.480 that if I stand and be counted as a Christian, 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:09.220 that life will get difficult for me. 00:10:09.879 --> 00:10:12.120 Maybe you know that Japanese proverb, 00:10:12.120 --> 00:10:14.360 the nail that sticks out will be hammered in. 00:10:14.779 --> 00:10:17.120 We instinctively do not want to be hammered. 00:10:18.360 --> 00:10:20.759 So it's a challenge for us to count the cost 00:10:20.759 --> 00:10:22.840 to stand up and be a Christian. 00:10:22.980 --> 00:10:25.840 And so perhaps you know what it is 00:10:25.840 --> 00:10:27.320 to hide your belief and behavior. 00:10:29.080 --> 00:10:32.799 I was talking to our young people, our edge group, 00:10:32.960 --> 00:10:36.419 and that was my experience as a teen, as an early 20, 00:10:37.039 --> 00:10:40.919 trying desperately to fit in, to blend in, 00:10:40.919 --> 00:10:43.819 to not have anybody ask those questions. 00:10:45.360 --> 00:10:47.079 You know, God calls us to be holy. 00:10:47.219 --> 00:10:49.579 Jesus said we should be a different kind of people, 00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:51.979 living a different kind of culture. 00:10:52.620 --> 00:10:53.740 That's hard. 00:10:55.620 --> 00:10:59.579 Perhaps for us, we have an inner tug of war 00:10:59.579 --> 00:11:05.339 between our convictions that we would love to live out, 00:11:05.699 --> 00:11:08.019 but then we get weak and we get fearful. 00:11:08.240 --> 00:11:10.139 And so we're constantly feeling guilty 00:11:10.139 --> 00:11:12.500 because there's things we should do and say that we don't. 00:11:13.360 --> 00:11:16.740 Or maybe you feel really drawn to Jesus, 00:11:17.259 --> 00:11:20.980 but you've never committed because you're aware of the cost. 00:11:21.639 --> 00:11:24.100 Perhaps what it will mean within your family or friends. 00:11:25.039 --> 00:11:28.639 I had a Chinese friend called Larry in Glasgow, 00:11:29.179 --> 00:11:33.019 and we spent years reading the Bible together. 00:11:33.019 --> 00:11:35.699 And he was really drawn to Jesus. 00:11:35.779 --> 00:11:36.539 You could see it. 00:11:37.019 --> 00:11:39.559 He went home to visit his family, 00:11:39.559 --> 00:11:41.699 and he came back and he sat down with me and he said, 00:11:41.939 --> 00:11:43.860 I would love to follow Jesus, but I can't 00:11:44.939 --> 00:11:46.559 because my parents would not approve. 00:11:48.100 --> 00:11:49.740 Perhaps that's our experience. 00:11:51.299 --> 00:11:55.340 Perhaps living with the fear of man means we seek approval 00:11:55.340 --> 00:11:57.279 in the wrong places. 00:11:57.279 --> 00:12:00.240 Ed Welch has written a book with a great title, 00:12:00.360 --> 00:12:03.220 When People Are Big and God Is Small. 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:07.120 We can find ourselves doing that all the time, 00:12:07.620 --> 00:12:09.879 not living for God's approval, 00:12:10.259 --> 00:12:11.019 but being concerned, 00:12:11.139 --> 00:12:13.079 what will other people around me think 00:12:13.079 --> 00:12:18.740 if I stand up for Jesus in this way or in that way? 00:12:18.740 --> 00:12:22.620 And when we are like that, 00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:24.940 if we're Christians and we're struggling 00:12:24.940 --> 00:12:26.299 with the fear of man, 00:12:26.500 --> 00:12:28.240 one inevitable consequence 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:30.779 is that we will always struggle with sharing our faith, 00:12:31.500 --> 00:12:34.000 that our evangelism and mission will suffer. 00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:38.539 I read an incredibly convicting sentence 00:12:38.539 --> 00:12:40.860 from a man by the name of Tahir. 00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:45.480 Tahir is somebody who works in some of the Stan states 00:12:45.480 --> 00:12:47.120 in the former Soviet Republic. 00:12:47.120 --> 00:12:50.740 He plants churches among Muslim people groups. 00:12:51.379 --> 00:12:53.100 And he said this, he said, 00:12:53.240 --> 00:12:56.440 the world is more ready to receive the gospel 00:12:56.440 --> 00:13:00.419 than the church is to share the gospel. 00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:03.539 Because so often we're afraid. 00:13:04.279 --> 00:13:06.940 So often we're concerned to please people 00:13:06.940 --> 00:13:10.779 rather than to please our God. 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:15.240 When that's you, when that's me, 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:17.100 what do we do about that? 00:13:17.200 --> 00:13:20.120 Where does change come from? 00:13:22.799 --> 00:13:24.680 Can I suggest that the change will come 00:13:24.680 --> 00:13:27.379 when we focus on identity? 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:32.620 First of all, focusing on the identity of Jesus. 00:13:34.299 --> 00:13:38.159 To see who Jesus is and what Jesus has done for us. 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:41.519 To recognize here is the son of God 00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:43.980 who has left the glory of heaven. 00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:46.079 That he has become fully human. 00:13:46.199 --> 00:13:48.019 He's been tried and tested and tempted 00:13:48.019 --> 00:13:49.679 as we are yet without sin. 00:13:50.299 --> 00:13:53.159 That he's lived in perfect obedience on our behalf. 00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:56.100 That he's going through all this suffering, 00:13:56.319 --> 00:13:58.779 ultimately taking him to the cross 00:13:58.779 --> 00:14:02.419 in order to pay the price for our sin 00:14:02.419 --> 00:14:05.199 to bring us to God. 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:11.460 If we understand the cost that Jesus was willing to pay 00:14:11.460 --> 00:14:14.140 in order to make us children of God, 00:14:14.640 --> 00:14:18.860 as we continue to live in that reality, 00:14:19.480 --> 00:14:21.320 as that dominates our thinking, 00:14:21.340 --> 00:14:25.840 that's the only way to overcome being a people pleaser. 00:14:26.560 --> 00:14:29.580 To be overwhelmed by the love of God 00:14:29.580 --> 00:14:31.240 as it's shown to us in Jesus. 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:34.840 So we need to see the identity of Christ, 00:14:34.919 --> 00:14:36.560 but we also need to be so clear 00:14:36.560 --> 00:14:40.519 on our identity as Christians in Christ. 00:14:42.360 --> 00:14:45.299 To see that when our faith is in Jesus, 00:14:45.299 --> 00:14:47.240 we are children of God. 00:14:47.759 --> 00:14:50.960 That we have this eternal inheritance laid up for us. 00:14:51.320 --> 00:14:54.080 We have absolute security. 00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:57.899 We have a love that will never let us go. 00:14:58.340 --> 00:15:00.340 We have an acceptance that is guaranteed 00:15:00.340 --> 00:15:03.620 from the one who matters more than anybody else. 00:15:05.259 --> 00:15:07.820 If you get the chance over the summer to read one book, 00:15:08.160 --> 00:15:09.399 I've recommended it before, 00:15:09.540 --> 00:15:11.860 Tim Keller's The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness. 00:15:11.980 --> 00:15:13.060 The Gospel of Self-Forgetfulness. 00:15:13.300 --> 00:15:14.139 I can't remember which one it is. 00:15:14.200 --> 00:15:15.740 Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness, I think it is. 00:15:16.180 --> 00:15:20.120 An incredible book on helping us to think less of ourselves, 00:15:20.200 --> 00:15:23.899 to think more of Jesus as the way into joy, 00:15:24.340 --> 00:15:27.879 and as the way into mission as the people of God. 00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:32.720 So there's some lessons from Pilate. 00:15:33.820 --> 00:15:36.820 What lessons can we draw from the Roman soldiers? 00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:38.679 What do we see of them? 00:15:38.779 --> 00:15:40.879 We see men who are professional 00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:44.419 in cruelty and humiliation, don't we? 00:15:45.000 --> 00:15:45.840 Verse 16, 00:15:45.840 --> 00:16:13.820 These Roman soldiers, they're experts in torture. 00:16:13.820 --> 00:16:15.580 They're experts in killing. 00:16:16.280 --> 00:16:19.900 They're experts in degrading and humiliating their prisoners. 00:16:22.140 --> 00:16:23.780 Remember a few years ago, 00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:25.580 some of those horrible images 00:16:25.580 --> 00:16:27.879 that came out of the Abu Ghraib Detention Center. 00:16:28.020 --> 00:16:31.040 Whenever prisoners are treated as less than, 00:16:32.160 --> 00:16:33.640 it's not a nice thing to see. 00:16:34.220 --> 00:16:37.640 Here is Jesus being treated as less than, 00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:40.280 dishonored shamefully, 00:16:40.780 --> 00:16:42.640 mocking Jesus' claim to be king. 00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:44.539 There's this cruel theater show. 00:16:44.919 --> 00:16:48.960 Let's dress Jesus up as a king 00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:51.179 in order to tear him down, 00:16:51.519 --> 00:16:53.039 is the soldiers thinking. 00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:57.220 They would agree with the Jewish crowd at the cross 00:16:57.220 --> 00:16:58.039 that cried, 00:16:58.159 --> 00:16:59.460 We have no king but Caesar. 00:17:00.360 --> 00:17:02.340 They don't see Jesus as a king. 00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:05.619 They respond to power, 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:07.639 to the power and glory of Rome. 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:09.019 That's the emperor. 00:17:09.160 --> 00:17:10.180 He's the true king. 00:17:10.180 --> 00:17:11.860 They look at Jesus. 00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:15.120 They see nothing worth value. 00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:17.400 And so they mock him 00:17:17.400 --> 00:17:22.200 and they continue to go about their business of execution. 00:17:23.840 --> 00:17:27.340 Here's one lesson that we can take for ourselves 00:17:27.340 --> 00:17:28.500 from the Roman soldiers. 00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:33.620 Are you and I too busy for Jesus? 00:17:33.619 --> 00:17:39.879 Are you and I too busy to build a relationship with Jesus? 00:17:40.199 --> 00:17:45.419 Or too busy to even get to know who he truly is in the first place? 00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:49.879 It seems such a tragedy in the case of these Roman soldiers. 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:54.059 They have this unique opportunity to examine Jesus' claim. 00:17:54.059 --> 00:17:56.740 You know, he's come from the courthouse. 00:17:56.859 --> 00:17:59.779 He's been tried as the son of God, 00:17:59.859 --> 00:18:00.940 as the savior of the world, 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:02.119 as the king of the Jews, 00:18:02.159 --> 00:18:04.099 but they have no interest in discovering, 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:05.839 is any of this true? 00:18:05.940 --> 00:18:07.700 And if that's true, what difference does it make? 00:18:08.539 --> 00:18:10.419 They're too busy doing their job 00:18:10.419 --> 00:18:13.519 to take the opportunity that's presented to them. 00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:22.960 Like them, for us, life can get crazy, crazy busy. 00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:26.920 Even in summer, when it should be, in a sense, 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:29.079 a time for many of us to rest, 00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:32.119 it seems like things are just relentless. 00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:36.299 There are things that we must do to do with work. 00:18:36.420 --> 00:18:38.099 There are commitments in the home. 00:18:38.220 --> 00:18:40.460 There are family and friends to take care of. 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:43.500 There's stuff that we sometimes just waste time on. 00:18:43.579 --> 00:18:45.819 There's good hobbies to pursue. 00:18:46.079 --> 00:18:48.319 But all of that taken together means often 00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:51.240 we leave very little time for Jesus. 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:56.379 We don't make blocks in our calendar 00:18:56.379 --> 00:18:58.680 for reading, for prayer, 00:18:59.779 --> 00:19:01.940 making time to be with other Christians. 00:19:03.160 --> 00:19:04.940 Sometimes we find that that time 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:07.279 can very easily be squeezed out, if we're honest. 00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:11.299 There was some leadership advice 00:19:11.299 --> 00:19:12.559 I was reminded of this week, 00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:14.480 which I think is really appropriate 00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:15.619 when it comes to this. 00:19:16.359 --> 00:19:16.919 And it's simply, 00:19:17.159 --> 00:19:19.159 don't let the good swallow the great. 00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:21.399 We have many good things 00:19:21.399 --> 00:19:22.819 that we have to do in our lives. 00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:25.139 Many noble things to pursue. 00:19:25.500 --> 00:19:28.500 But don't let those block out the time 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:31.720 that we need to build a relationship 00:19:31.720 --> 00:19:33.639 with Jesus, our Lord and our Savior. 00:19:34.419 --> 00:19:36.000 To grow in our faith, 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:37.680 or to come to faith. 00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:44.460 To make this relationship with Jesus a priority. 00:19:45.059 --> 00:19:47.839 To really understand who he is 00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:49.279 and what he has done. 00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:51.779 To not let him simply pass us by 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:53.000 like the soldiers did. 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:56.859 Maybe we can think of the story 00:19:56.859 --> 00:20:00.000 of when Jesus went to visit Mary and Martha. 00:20:00.140 --> 00:20:00.579 Boys and girls, 00:20:00.640 --> 00:20:01.799 I'm sure you remember the story 00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:04.440 of when Jesus went to visit Mary and Martha. 00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:06.839 Two sisters, Jesus came. 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:08.119 He was their friend. 00:20:08.119 --> 00:20:11.680 And he sat down and he began teaching in one room. 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:13.680 There's one sister, Martha, 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:14.960 and she's like super busy. 00:20:15.059 --> 00:20:15.759 She's cooking. 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:17.099 She's cleaning. 00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:20.240 She's preparing a meal for Jesus. 00:20:20.240 --> 00:20:22.559 And she's really annoyed with Mary. 00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:24.839 Because Mary is sitting, 00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:26.940 simply listening to Jesus. 00:20:28.140 --> 00:20:28.640 Boys and girls, 00:20:28.700 --> 00:20:30.079 do you remember what Jesus said? 00:20:30.579 --> 00:20:31.279 He said, 00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:33.160 Mary's chosen the better thing. 00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:35.960 Because Mary's listening to Jesus. 00:20:36.799 --> 00:20:37.740 It's good to be busy. 00:20:38.120 --> 00:20:39.140 It's good to work. 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:41.460 But it's most important 00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:45.319 for each one of us to spend time with Jesus. 00:20:46.279 --> 00:20:47.819 So again, if we find ourselves, 00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:49.259 you know, coming into the summer season 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:51.640 thinking, man, my calendar is absolutely crammed. 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:53.259 How is change going to come? 00:20:54.119 --> 00:20:55.980 We're going to have to be really deliberate 00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:58.279 about slowing down. 00:20:59.379 --> 00:21:01.019 We're going to need to be really deliberate 00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:02.759 in our time management, 00:21:02.900 --> 00:21:04.420 in our calendar management, 00:21:04.420 --> 00:21:06.940 if we want to invest in 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:09.359 our relationship with the Lord Jesus. 00:21:09.859 --> 00:21:11.379 If we want to be serious 00:21:11.379 --> 00:21:13.519 about knowing him and knowing him better, 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:15.420 perhaps there are changes, 00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:16.759 really practical changes, 00:21:16.759 --> 00:21:17.700 that need to happen 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:19.680 to how our weeks, 00:21:19.859 --> 00:21:21.440 our days look. 00:21:24.140 --> 00:21:25.640 It'd be a wonderful thing 00:21:25.640 --> 00:21:27.480 if we could look ahead to this summer 00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:27.759 and say, 00:21:27.859 --> 00:21:28.559 this is a summer 00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:30.400 where I'm really going to dig deep 00:21:30.400 --> 00:21:31.039 into the Bible, 00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:32.579 where I'm going to examine 00:21:32.579 --> 00:21:33.480 who Jesus is, 00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:34.119 I'm going to think about 00:21:34.119 --> 00:21:35.539 what the cross is all about, 00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:38.359 and to see how that would change us. 00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:43.299 to prioritize church, 00:21:43.899 --> 00:21:44.959 whether that's Sunday morning, 00:21:45.099 --> 00:21:45.619 Sunday evening, 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:47.459 whether it's Wednesday evenings 00:21:47.459 --> 00:21:49.479 and outside of term times, 00:21:50.579 --> 00:21:52.979 prioritizing Bible reading and prayer. 00:21:54.419 --> 00:21:56.119 Your man shall not live by bread alone, 00:21:56.199 --> 00:21:57.379 but by every word that comes 00:21:57.379 --> 00:21:58.179 from the mouth of God. 00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:59.439 We need God's word 00:21:59.439 --> 00:22:00.639 for our spiritual life. 00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:03.960 The change will come 00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:04.920 as we slow down, 00:22:04.980 --> 00:22:05.860 as we reevaluate, 00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:07.300 as we set new priorities 00:22:07.300 --> 00:22:09.240 to build, 00:22:09.340 --> 00:22:10.259 to grow a relationship 00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:11.120 that will last 00:22:11.120 --> 00:22:12.180 so we won't be too busy 00:22:12.180 --> 00:22:13.820 for Jesus. 00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:16.560 And what about Barabbas? 00:22:16.600 --> 00:22:18.020 What lessons can we draw 00:22:18.020 --> 00:22:20.220 from Barabbas? 00:22:20.360 --> 00:22:22.220 We don't learn too much about him, 00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:23.960 but we know that he was 00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:25.740 a political freedom fighter. 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.160 Verse seven, 00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:29.920 A man called Barabbas 00:22:29.920 --> 00:22:31.160 was in prison 00:22:31.160 --> 00:22:32.759 with the insurrectionists 00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:34.480 who had committed murder 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:36.720 in the uprising. 00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:38.240 He was a man 00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:39.820 who wanted revolution. 00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:40.700 There was lots of people 00:22:40.700 --> 00:22:41.580 called zealots 00:22:41.580 --> 00:22:43.360 who were keen to see 00:22:43.360 --> 00:22:44.600 a free Israel. 00:22:45.100 --> 00:22:46.580 He wanted to get rid 00:22:46.580 --> 00:22:47.560 of the Romans. 00:22:48.080 --> 00:22:49.400 And Barabbas is one of those guys 00:22:49.400 --> 00:22:50.500 who's willing to kill 00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:51.580 for the cause. 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:53.620 What do you live for, Barabbas? 00:22:53.620 --> 00:22:56.120 I live for the freedom of Israel. 00:22:57.160 --> 00:22:59.759 But he's obviously been found, 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:00.980 captured, 00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:03.060 been found guilty of murder. 00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:04.580 And here he stands 00:23:04.580 --> 00:23:05.740 condemned and guilty 00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:07.100 with just a few hours 00:23:07.100 --> 00:23:07.880 left to live. 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:11.460 But then that remarkable thing 00:23:11.460 --> 00:23:12.320 happens at the feast. 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:14.200 This condemned and guilty man 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:16.700 walks free. 00:23:17.800 --> 00:23:18.500 Verse nine, 00:23:18.600 --> 00:23:18.779 again, 00:23:18.860 --> 00:23:20.120 do you want me to release to you 00:23:20.120 --> 00:23:22.060 the king of the Jews? 00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:23.640 Ask Pilate, 00:23:24.140 --> 00:23:24.860 verse 11, 00:23:24.859 --> 00:23:26.519 but the chief priests 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:27.779 stirred up the crowd 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:29.139 to have Pilate 00:23:29.139 --> 00:23:31.240 release Barabbas 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:32.079 instead. 00:23:33.399 --> 00:23:34.579 So religious leaders 00:23:34.579 --> 00:23:35.419 along with the masses, 00:23:35.599 --> 00:23:37.019 they choose this murderer, 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:39.459 this political freedom fighter 00:23:39.459 --> 00:23:41.559 rather than Jesus. 00:23:42.959 --> 00:23:43.539 Perhaps 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:44.679 for many of the people 00:23:44.679 --> 00:23:45.059 they thought 00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:46.759 this is the kind of savior 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:47.519 that we want. 00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:48.879 Of course, 00:23:48.919 --> 00:23:49.539 it's not the savior 00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:50.399 that they needed. 00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:52.459 But perhaps Barabbas 00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:53.539 represented the hopes 00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:54.180 of many 00:23:54.180 --> 00:23:56.340 for political freedom. 00:23:56.579 --> 00:23:57.440 We see that in Jesus' 00:23:58.039 --> 00:23:58.460 ministry, 00:23:58.579 --> 00:23:59.420 the expectations 00:23:59.420 --> 00:24:00.340 of God's king 00:24:00.340 --> 00:24:02.200 were in many ways 00:24:02.200 --> 00:24:03.100 far too low. 00:24:03.640 --> 00:24:04.779 Only thinking in terms 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:05.380 of political 00:24:05.380 --> 00:24:06.380 and national freedom 00:24:06.380 --> 00:24:07.539 rather than 00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:09.259 recognizing that Jesus, 00:24:09.420 --> 00:24:10.220 the true king, 00:24:10.380 --> 00:24:11.019 God's king, 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:12.680 he brings spiritual freedom, 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:14.279 he brings an eternal 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:16.200 global kingdom. 00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:20.360 A question 00:24:20.360 --> 00:24:22.500 related to Barabbas' 00:24:22.620 --> 00:24:22.779 life, 00:24:22.819 --> 00:24:24.100 a lesson for ourselves. 00:24:24.299 --> 00:24:25.279 What difference 00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:27.299 does the substitution 00:24:27.299 --> 00:24:28.200 of Jesus 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:31.160 make to our lives? 00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:33.759 So at this trial, 00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:35.039 Pilate willingly 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:35.900 and knowingly 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:36.680 switches 00:24:36.680 --> 00:24:39.340 the guilty Barabbas 00:24:39.340 --> 00:24:40.960 for the innocent 00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:41.200 Jesus. 00:24:43.120 --> 00:24:43.620 Barabbas, 00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:44.240 who should have been 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:45.299 condemned to die, 00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:46.919 walks free, 00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:48.399 expecting death 00:24:48.399 --> 00:24:48.940 and judgment, 00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:50.339 but he tastes 00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:50.919 freedom. 00:24:52.700 --> 00:24:53.799 Now we're not told 00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:55.240 whether Barabbas 00:24:55.240 --> 00:24:56.180 watched 00:24:56.180 --> 00:24:56.980 as Jesus 00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:57.680 took his place 00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:58.419 on that cross. 00:24:59.059 --> 00:25:00.059 We're not told 00:25:00.059 --> 00:25:00.779 whether he cared, 00:25:00.879 --> 00:25:01.500 whether that made 00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:02.339 any difference 00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:03.500 to his life. 00:25:03.559 --> 00:25:04.000 We have 00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:05.539 no idea. 00:25:06.899 --> 00:25:07.779 It doesn't really 00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:09.319 matter for us. 00:25:09.399 --> 00:25:10.059 What matters 00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:10.940 profoundly 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:11.799 for us though 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:12.159 is 00:25:12.159 --> 00:25:14.379 what difference 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:15.280 does that substitution 00:25:15.280 --> 00:25:16.700 make for us? 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:18.000 Because this swap 00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:18.760 that's happening 00:25:18.760 --> 00:25:20.360 prepares us 00:25:20.360 --> 00:25:21.460 for the good news 00:25:21.460 --> 00:25:21.980 of the Bible. 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:24.900 Barabbas stands 00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:26.720 for all of us 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:27.840 as sinners 00:25:27.840 --> 00:25:29.360 who disobey God, 00:25:29.780 --> 00:25:31.260 who dishonor God. 00:25:31.260 --> 00:25:32.680 We stand 00:25:32.680 --> 00:25:33.620 with Barabbas 00:25:33.620 --> 00:25:34.200 deserving 00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:34.960 the judgment 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:36.420 of God. 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:38.920 But then 00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:39.680 there is the cross. 00:25:39.780 --> 00:25:40.700 There's this wonderful 00:25:40.700 --> 00:25:42.260 exchange that takes place. 00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:43.900 Paul puts it this way, 00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:44.859 God made him, 00:25:44.920 --> 00:25:45.680 that's Jesus, 00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:47.559 who knew no sin 00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:49.099 to be sin 00:25:49.099 --> 00:25:50.000 for us 00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:51.900 so that in him 00:25:51.900 --> 00:25:53.680 we might become 00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:55.160 the righteousness 00:25:55.160 --> 00:25:56.700 of God. 00:25:57.660 --> 00:25:58.799 Jesus takes 00:25:58.799 --> 00:25:59.940 my sin, 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:03.039 suffers the judgment 00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:03.619 of God 00:26:03.619 --> 00:26:04.879 in my place, 00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:07.220 gives me 00:26:07.220 --> 00:26:08.799 his righteousness 00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:10.379 as a free gift 00:26:10.380 --> 00:26:11.260 of his grace 00:26:11.260 --> 00:26:12.600 so I can be 00:26:12.600 --> 00:26:13.140 welcomed, 00:26:13.600 --> 00:26:14.200 so I can be 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:15.220 reconciled. 00:26:16.260 --> 00:26:17.380 The Bible says 00:26:17.380 --> 00:26:17.760 to us, 00:26:17.820 --> 00:26:18.660 I am Barabbas 00:26:18.660 --> 00:26:19.200 and you 00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:20.600 are Barabbas. 00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:21.000 I wonder 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:22.240 do we see that, 00:26:22.320 --> 00:26:23.000 do we appreciate 00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:23.620 the difference 00:26:23.620 --> 00:26:24.280 that makes 00:26:24.280 --> 00:26:25.420 for how we 00:26:25.420 --> 00:26:26.480 think about life? 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:28.680 Here is the grace 00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:29.160 of God 00:26:29.160 --> 00:26:30.600 being indicated 00:26:30.600 --> 00:26:31.200 to us 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:31.780 that Jesus 00:26:31.780 --> 00:26:33.360 becomes our 00:26:33.360 --> 00:26:34.740 legal representative. 00:26:36.100 --> 00:26:36.740 He stands 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.800 in our place 00:26:37.800 --> 00:26:38.820 in the court 00:26:38.820 --> 00:26:39.160 of law. 00:26:39.160 --> 00:26:40.160 He faces 00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:41.080 judgment 00:26:41.080 --> 00:26:41.680 and death 00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:42.259 so that you 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:42.500 and I, 00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:43.120 we don't need 00:26:43.120 --> 00:26:44.740 to because 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:45.600 he has gone 00:26:45.600 --> 00:26:46.700 there for us 00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:49.100 if our faith 00:26:49.100 --> 00:26:49.740 is in him. 00:26:50.600 --> 00:26:52.160 Jesus rises 00:26:52.160 --> 00:26:53.480 from the dead 00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:54.460 and returns 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:56.040 to the glory 00:26:56.040 --> 00:26:56.500 of heaven 00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:57.740 and as our 00:26:57.740 --> 00:26:59.019 legal representative, 00:26:59.240 --> 00:27:00.340 we too receive 00:27:00.340 --> 00:27:01.380 new life in him 00:27:01.380 --> 00:27:02.500 with a promise 00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:03.100 of resurrection 00:27:03.100 --> 00:27:03.860 life that will 00:27:03.860 --> 00:27:04.700 never end 00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:06.240 after death. 00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:08.759 that he returns 00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:09.380 to the glory 00:27:09.380 --> 00:27:09.920 of heaven 00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:11.000 and he is 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:12.039 our legal representative. 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:12.700 What belongs 00:27:12.700 --> 00:27:13.039 to him 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:14.039 belongs to us 00:27:14.039 --> 00:27:14.259 too. 00:27:14.359 --> 00:27:15.079 So that is 00:27:15.079 --> 00:27:15.859 our glorious 00:27:15.859 --> 00:27:16.579 future, 00:27:17.400 --> 00:27:18.000 the glory 00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:19.299 of heaven, 00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:20.559 seeing Jesus 00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:21.460 face to face 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:21.940 and being 00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:23.720 made like him. 00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:25.620 Jesus calls 00:27:25.620 --> 00:27:26.400 God Father. 00:27:26.839 --> 00:27:27.579 Jesus enjoys 00:27:27.579 --> 00:27:28.559 the eternal love 00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:29.200 of the Father 00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:30.359 and in him 00:27:30.359 --> 00:27:31.620 that's our privilege 00:27:31.620 --> 00:27:31.920 too. 00:27:31.920 --> 00:27:32.820 as the church 00:27:32.820 --> 00:27:34.240 we can pray 00:27:34.240 --> 00:27:34.960 our Father 00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:36.360 in heaven. 00:27:37.980 --> 00:27:39.300 He belongs 00:27:39.300 --> 00:27:40.300 to us. 00:27:44.440 --> 00:27:45.560 Mark writes 00:27:45.560 --> 00:27:46.000 this 00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:47.019 so that we 00:27:47.019 --> 00:27:47.900 wouldn't miss 00:27:47.900 --> 00:27:48.380 out, 00:27:49.580 --> 00:27:50.080 that we 00:27:50.080 --> 00:27:51.039 wouldn't walk 00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:52.080 by Jesus 00:27:52.080 --> 00:27:53.080 out of fear 00:27:53.080 --> 00:27:53.840 of what people 00:27:53.840 --> 00:27:54.440 might say, 00:27:55.120 --> 00:27:55.740 that we 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:56.539 wouldn't put 00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:57.400 Jesus to one 00:27:57.400 --> 00:27:58.539 side because 00:27:58.539 --> 00:27:59.320 of the fear 00:27:59.320 --> 00:28:00.259 of our loss 00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:01.000 of reputation 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:01.680 perhaps. 00:28:04.079 --> 00:28:04.299 See, 00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:04.960 don't miss 00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:05.440 out because 00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:05.799 of our 00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:06.420 busyness 00:28:06.420 --> 00:28:07.660 or other 00:28:07.660 --> 00:28:08.220 priorities 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:08.700 that come 00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:09.539 ahead of 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:09.980 the Lord 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:10.400 Jesus. 00:28:11.140 --> 00:28:11.700 Recognize 00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:12.819 Jesus takes 00:28:12.819 --> 00:28:13.559 your place, 00:28:13.619 --> 00:28:13.980 is willing 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:14.380 to take 00:28:14.380 --> 00:28:15.019 your place 00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:15.519 and gifts 00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:16.759 you his 00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:17.579 place as 00:28:17.579 --> 00:28:18.160 a loved 00:28:18.160 --> 00:28:19.539 child of 00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:20.119 God and 00:28:20.119 --> 00:28:20.559 he's on 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.240 this journey 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:22.000 towards the 00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:22.259 cross. 00:28:22.400 --> 00:28:22.859 He's going 00:28:22.859 --> 00:28:23.259 to this 00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:23.980 trial to 00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:24.680 show us 00:28:24.680 --> 00:28:25.940 just how 00:28:25.940 --> 00:28:26.480 great 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:27.400 God's 00:28:27.400 --> 00:28:27.920 love 00:28:27.920 --> 00:28:29.019 is. 00:28:29.019 --> 00:28:31.240 Let me 00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:31.819 just finish 00:28:31.819 --> 00:28:32.759 by putting 00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:33.119 Jesus' 00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:33.920 trial here 00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:34.180 in the 00:28:34.180 --> 00:28:34.720 big picture 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:35.420 of salvation. 00:28:35.579 --> 00:28:36.460 What can 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:37.039 we see? 00:28:38.039 --> 00:28:38.639 One thing 00:28:38.639 --> 00:28:38.859 that we 00:28:38.859 --> 00:28:39.279 see very 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:39.799 clearly is 00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:40.039 that the 00:28:40.039 --> 00:28:40.779 world in 00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:41.480 its sin 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:42.440 chooses to 00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:43.000 reject 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:44.000 God's 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:44.460 Savior. 00:28:44.579 --> 00:28:44.839 We saw 00:28:44.839 --> 00:28:45.379 last week 00:28:45.379 --> 00:28:45.799 the Jewish 00:28:45.799 --> 00:28:46.160 religious 00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:46.539 leaders 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:47.019 reject 00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:47.420 Jesus. 00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:48.160 Now we 00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:48.539 see the 00:28:48.539 --> 00:28:48.920 Romans 00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:50.099 rejecting 00:28:50.099 --> 00:28:50.740 Jesus. 00:28:50.879 --> 00:28:51.240 The world 00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:52.359 is conspiring 00:28:52.359 --> 00:28:53.319 to get 00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:54.039 rid of 00:28:54.039 --> 00:28:54.440 Jesus 00:28:54.440 --> 00:28:55.519 because it 00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:56.240 reveals our 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:56.799 hearts that 00:28:56.799 --> 00:28:57.880 every one 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:58.559 of us 00:28:58.559 --> 00:28:59.500 by nature 00:28:59.500 --> 00:29:00.100 rebels, 00:29:00.259 --> 00:29:00.779 turns our 00:29:00.779 --> 00:29:01.600 back on 00:29:01.600 --> 00:29:01.900 our 00:29:01.900 --> 00:29:02.440 Creator 00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:03.559 and our 00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:03.980 Savior. 00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:05.640 Every one 00:29:05.640 --> 00:29:06.080 of us 00:29:06.080 --> 00:29:06.559 in different 00:29:06.559 --> 00:29:07.180 ways every 00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:08.640 day dishonors 00:29:08.640 --> 00:29:09.440 our God. 00:29:10.840 --> 00:29:11.680 This trial 00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:12.299 reminds us 00:29:12.299 --> 00:29:12.720 of that. 00:29:13.960 --> 00:29:14.420 But putting 00:29:14.420 --> 00:29:15.080 this trial in 00:29:15.080 --> 00:29:15.380 the big 00:29:15.380 --> 00:29:15.980 picture also 00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:16.519 reminds us 00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:16.920 that God 00:29:16.920 --> 00:29:17.380 can bring 00:29:17.380 --> 00:29:17.980 good from 00:29:17.980 --> 00:29:18.320 evil. 00:29:19.200 --> 00:29:19.920 This trial 00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:20.580 is part of 00:29:20.580 --> 00:29:21.360 the world's 00:29:21.360 --> 00:29:21.920 greatest 00:29:21.920 --> 00:29:22.559 injustice 00:29:22.559 --> 00:29:22.940 that has 00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:23.320 ever been 00:29:23.320 --> 00:29:23.620 seen. 00:29:23.619 --> 00:29:24.259 Jesus, 00:29:24.399 --> 00:29:24.579 the one 00:29:24.579 --> 00:29:25.119 who deserves 00:29:25.119 --> 00:29:25.919 all the 00:29:25.919 --> 00:29:26.399 glory we 00:29:26.399 --> 00:29:26.899 could afford, 00:29:27.219 --> 00:29:27.759 is treated 00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:29.159 so shamefully, 00:29:29.299 --> 00:29:30.219 so badly, 00:29:30.419 --> 00:29:33.019 yet this is 00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:33.399 part of 00:29:33.399 --> 00:29:33.659 God's 00:29:33.659 --> 00:29:34.019 eternal 00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:34.639 plan. 00:29:35.519 --> 00:29:35.859 And in 00:29:35.859 --> 00:29:36.179 God's 00:29:36.179 --> 00:29:36.559 eternal 00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:36.939 plan, 00:29:37.019 --> 00:29:37.459 this becomes 00:29:37.459 --> 00:29:37.979 the greatest 00:29:37.979 --> 00:29:38.639 act of 00:29:38.639 --> 00:29:39.419 love and 00:29:39.419 --> 00:29:40.359 grace and 00:29:40.359 --> 00:29:41.119 justice and 00:29:41.119 --> 00:29:42.299 mercy the 00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:43.059 world has 00:29:43.059 --> 00:29:44.479 ever known. 00:29:45.899 --> 00:29:46.599 And again, 00:29:46.639 --> 00:29:46.959 as we put 00:29:46.959 --> 00:29:47.599 this trial in 00:29:47.599 --> 00:29:47.919 the big 00:29:47.919 --> 00:29:48.239 picture, 00:29:48.379 --> 00:29:48.899 we see 00:29:48.899 --> 00:29:50.239 Jesus is 00:29:50.239 --> 00:29:51.359 the greater, 00:29:51.359 --> 00:29:52.079 the greater, 00:29:52.219 --> 00:29:52.899 the greatest 00:29:52.899 --> 00:29:53.379 king, 00:29:53.619 --> 00:29:54.119 the world 00:29:54.119 --> 00:29:54.539 has ever 00:29:54.539 --> 00:29:54.759 seen. 00:29:54.819 --> 00:29:55.279 The soldiers 00:29:55.279 --> 00:29:55.639 couldn't 00:29:55.639 --> 00:29:56.019 see it. 00:29:56.959 --> 00:29:57.519 They mocked 00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:57.879 Jesus. 00:29:58.559 --> 00:29:58.859 What kind 00:29:58.859 --> 00:29:59.159 of king 00:29:59.159 --> 00:29:59.639 is this? 00:30:00.739 --> 00:30:01.419 They thought 00:30:01.419 --> 00:30:02.019 Caesar was 00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:02.419 the ultimate 00:30:02.419 --> 00:30:02.699 king, 00:30:02.779 --> 00:30:03.139 but of course 00:30:03.139 --> 00:30:03.500 the Roman 00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:04.259 empire would 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:04.699 collapse, 00:30:04.799 --> 00:30:05.239 collapsed in 00:30:05.239 --> 00:30:06.079 476. 00:30:07.399 --> 00:30:07.679 All its 00:30:07.679 --> 00:30:07.919 power, 00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:08.279 all its 00:30:08.279 --> 00:30:08.719 glory was 00:30:08.719 --> 00:30:08.959 gone, 00:30:09.059 --> 00:30:09.419 but Jesus' 00:30:09.419 --> 00:30:09.879 kingdom, 00:30:10.879 --> 00:30:11.959 it's global. 00:30:13.159 --> 00:30:13.639 It spans 00:30:13.639 --> 00:30:14.019 history, 00:30:14.139 --> 00:30:14.559 it spans 00:30:14.559 --> 00:30:16.819 continents and 00:30:16.819 --> 00:30:17.899 languages and 00:30:17.899 --> 00:30:18.899 people groups and 00:30:18.899 --> 00:30:19.679 religious 00:30:19.679 --> 00:30:20.379 backgrounds. 00:30:20.380 --> 00:30:21.600 there is 00:30:21.600 --> 00:30:22.800 no Hadrian's 00:30:22.800 --> 00:30:23.300 wall that 00:30:23.300 --> 00:30:24.000 is strong 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:24.520 enough to 00:30:24.520 --> 00:30:25.700 stop the 00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:26.860 spread of 00:30:26.860 --> 00:30:27.720 the gospel. 00:30:29.300 --> 00:30:30.060 Jesus is 00:30:30.060 --> 00:30:31.100 showing that 00:30:31.100 --> 00:30:31.980 he is building 00:30:31.980 --> 00:30:32.880 his church and 00:30:32.880 --> 00:30:33.980 nothing and no 00:30:33.980 --> 00:30:35.460 one can stop 00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:35.700 it. 00:30:36.620 --> 00:30:37.240 There's good 00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:37.980 news all 00:30:37.980 --> 00:30:38.460 around the 00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:38.980 world of what 00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:40.120 God is doing. 00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:40.640 I wonder, 00:30:40.780 --> 00:30:41.600 are we part of 00:30:41.600 --> 00:30:42.240 that kingdom 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:42.720 today? 00:30:43.300 --> 00:30:44.100 Would we like 00:30:44.100 --> 00:30:44.720 to be part of 00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:45.140 that kingdom? 00:30:45.300 --> 00:30:46.600 Do we recognize 00:30:46.599 --> 00:30:47.480 Jesus is the 00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:48.379 king who 00:30:48.379 --> 00:30:49.859 loved us and 00:30:49.859 --> 00:30:50.500 gave himself 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:51.199 for us? 00:30:53.039 --> 00:30:53.539 Live so, 00:30:53.699 --> 00:30:54.119 put your 00:30:54.119 --> 00:30:55.699 faith in 00:30:55.699 --> 00:30:56.099 Jesus. 00:30:56.980 --> 00:30:57.500 Trust that 00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:58.059 when he went 00:30:58.059 --> 00:30:58.699 to the cross, 00:30:58.779 --> 00:30:59.719 he went there 00:30:59.719 --> 00:31:01.759 for you in 00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:02.500 order to 00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:03.559 forgive you 00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:04.859 your sin and 00:31:04.859 --> 00:31:05.500 to give you 00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:06.319 eternal life. 00:31:07.279 --> 00:31:07.799 Turn from 00:31:07.799 --> 00:31:08.299 your sin, 00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:09.259 turn towards 00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:09.779 God and 00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:11.139 live for 00:31:11.139 --> 00:31:11.639 your king. 00:31:12.339 --> 00:31:13.019 Let's live 00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:13.379 for our king, 00:31:13.459 --> 00:31:14.039 let's speak 00:31:14.039 --> 00:31:14.500 for him, 00:31:14.779 --> 00:31:15.879 let's pray 00:31:15.880 --> 00:31:16.580 that his 00:31:16.580 --> 00:31:17.720 kingdom would 00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:19.220 come here 00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:19.940 in Edinburgh 00:31:19.940 --> 00:31:20.520 and Scotland 00:31:20.520 --> 00:31:22.120 and around 00:31:22.120 --> 00:31:23.300 our world.