WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.580 Thanks very much, Rachel. Good morning, everyone. Can I repeat, Alistair's welcome, whether you're here in the church or watching on YouTube or listening to the audio recording, you're very welcome with us this morning. 00:00:13.320 --> 00:00:20.140 One of the most compelling TV series that I've watched recently was BBC Scotland's Murder Trial. 00:00:20.920 --> 00:00:25.960 Maybe that makes me one of the true crime addicts that Archie talked about last week. 00:00:25.960 --> 00:00:29.960 But what was particularly interesting about that series were two things. 00:00:30.820 --> 00:00:36.420 One was that the cameras unusually in Scotland were allowed into the courtroom to film the trial. 00:00:36.960 --> 00:00:41.700 So you saw that alongside commentary from the advocates and witnesses and so on. 00:00:42.620 --> 00:00:46.840 And the second thing was that all the murders involved were historical. 00:00:47.600 --> 00:00:55.939 Two of them went back to the 1970s. So the court was doing what I think is called a code case in the legal jargon. 00:00:56.619 --> 00:01:02.939 And really interesting to look at how the evidence from long ago was pieced together using modern standards. 00:01:03.079 --> 00:01:07.060 And two of the cases, indeed, there wasn't even a body that had been discovered. 00:01:07.280 --> 00:01:09.939 So they were only suspected murders. 00:01:10.719 --> 00:01:14.079 I'm not going to spoil it for you in case you want to watch the series yourselves. 00:01:14.439 --> 00:01:18.319 But two things particularly struck me about them. 00:01:18.340 --> 00:01:19.819 And there's nothing else flattering in these. 00:01:19.920 --> 00:01:24.439 You'd probably notice the same things in almost any trial that you saw. 00:01:24.439 --> 00:01:30.719 The first of these was the centrality of the defendant in the trial. 00:01:30.719 --> 00:01:35.719 Now, the nature of the thing was that we were talking about elderly people here. 00:01:36.539 --> 00:01:39.700 I think there were three men, I think, all in their 80s, plus a woman. 00:01:39.700 --> 00:01:42.780 And they were all quite old. 00:01:43.780 --> 00:01:46.980 And as you looked at them, sometimes they looked nervous. 00:01:47.299 --> 00:01:48.939 Sometimes they looked maybe a bit confused. 00:01:49.100 --> 00:01:50.520 Sometimes a bit defiant. 00:01:51.280 --> 00:01:57.340 But you thought they really look in many ways quite pathetic and powerless in the court. 00:01:57.340 --> 00:01:59.900 Things are happening round about them. 00:01:59.960 --> 00:02:00.840 They're being talked about. 00:02:00.939 --> 00:02:05.000 Things from their lives long ago are being dissected. 00:02:05.159 --> 00:02:10.140 And apart from one opportunity, if they wish to, and not everyone did, to give evidence, 00:02:10.719 --> 00:02:12.819 they are absolutely powerless. 00:02:13.819 --> 00:02:19.620 They're in the hands of the witnesses, the advocates, the judge, and ultimately the jury. 00:02:19.620 --> 00:02:24.340 And yet they're still central to the case. 00:02:25.219 --> 00:02:30.300 It is their guilt, their future, that is being discussed. 00:02:31.140 --> 00:02:39.700 And you looked at them and thought, could this person 40-odd years ago really have done the crime that they're accused of? 00:02:40.480 --> 00:02:44.719 Is there anything that you can see would give you any indication of that? 00:02:45.219 --> 00:02:46.920 What is their demeanor like? 00:02:46.919 --> 00:02:57.659 Is it possible that they are guilty or that perhaps they are innocent and they are then very cruelly in their old age being brought to court? 00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:07.339 As we come today to the trial of Jesus, then very much I want us to see that Jesus is central in it. 00:03:08.219 --> 00:03:15.159 We will look in some detail because we need to understand what's happening at the chief priests and at Pilate 00:03:15.159 --> 00:03:18.979 and what their actions and motivations were. 00:03:19.659 --> 00:03:22.159 But ultimately it's about Jesus. 00:03:23.219 --> 00:03:25.400 It's about what is going to happen to him. 00:03:25.759 --> 00:03:27.900 It is about what he is here for. 00:03:28.460 --> 00:03:36.979 And it is about whether he really is the Son of God, the King that is being talked about in the trial. 00:03:36.979 --> 00:03:44.219 In verse 4 of our passage, Pilate brings Jesus in front of the crowd and he says, 00:03:44.699 --> 00:03:46.039 Here is the man. 00:03:46.099 --> 00:03:49.259 I've heard the older rendition, Behold the man. 00:03:50.219 --> 00:03:59.319 Now what Pilate is doing there, he's trying to win the sympathy of the crowd by presenting someone who is totally powerless. 00:03:59.319 --> 00:04:01.659 Jesus has been flogged. 00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:05.739 He suffered the scorn and the mockery of the soldiers. 00:04:06.340 --> 00:04:08.239 And Pilate is bringing him out and saying, 00:04:08.379 --> 00:04:15.879 You don't really think that this man here would be capable of leading a rebellion against Rome. 00:04:16.399 --> 00:04:17.920 He's pathetic and powerless. 00:04:18.639 --> 00:04:21.839 Why do you think he might be a rebel? 00:04:22.639 --> 00:04:26.819 Now, of course, Jesus wasn't pathetic and powerless in any sense at all. 00:04:26.819 --> 00:04:30.099 And we'll come back to that a bit later on. 00:04:31.339 --> 00:04:32.579 But Pilate was presenting, 00:04:32.740 --> 00:04:37.519 Here's the man who is in the centre of this court, at the centre of his case. 00:04:37.759 --> 00:04:39.920 I can't say anything wrong that he's done. 00:04:40.319 --> 00:04:41.540 Will you release? 00:04:41.620 --> 00:04:43.920 Of course, the crowd then said, No. 00:04:45.019 --> 00:04:51.039 So that's the first thing, that the defendant is the central person in a trial. 00:04:52.319 --> 00:04:55.199 The second thing, and again, there's nothing air shattering here, 00:04:55.199 --> 00:05:01.699 is in a trial in a Scottish court or UK court generally and in civilised countries around the world, 00:05:02.120 --> 00:05:05.339 there are efforts made to be fair to the dependent. 00:05:06.579 --> 00:05:10.759 In almost every trial, I suspect you'll hear someone saying something along the lines, 00:05:11.219 --> 00:05:13.759 It is for the prosecution to prove guilt. 00:05:14.279 --> 00:05:17.279 The defendant doesn't have to prove anything. 00:05:17.279 --> 00:05:22.959 Remember, one of the advocates in one of the cases said how burdened he felt, 00:05:23.319 --> 00:05:26.139 because if he didn't do his job well, 00:05:26.739 --> 00:05:29.379 and if the defendant really was innocent, 00:05:30.079 --> 00:05:33.479 then he might be responsible for what he called a death sentence, 00:05:33.639 --> 00:05:37.599 that the man was ill and old and wouldn't survive a prison term. 00:05:38.379 --> 00:05:39.559 And there was a real thought, 00:05:39.659 --> 00:05:42.739 We need to make sure that justice is done. 00:05:42.740 --> 00:05:46.480 Don't assume just because someone's in court that they're guilty. 00:05:47.879 --> 00:05:51.060 How different that was from Jesus' trial. 00:05:51.960 --> 00:05:54.600 Because there is no justice here. 00:05:55.780 --> 00:05:56.579 You have Pilate. 00:05:56.680 --> 00:05:57.660 Pilate is in charge. 00:05:57.800 --> 00:06:01.079 Pilate is responsible for dispensing Roman justice, 00:06:01.180 --> 00:06:04.920 and Roman justice generally aimed to be fair. 00:06:04.920 --> 00:06:10.300 Pilate knows he is convinced that Jesus is innocent, 00:06:11.040 --> 00:06:14.140 and yet he can't bring himself to release Jesus 00:06:14.140 --> 00:06:17.560 in the face of all the shouting that's coming 00:06:17.560 --> 00:06:21.480 and the pressure that's being applied on him. 00:06:22.340 --> 00:06:23.759 Ultimately, he buckles, 00:06:24.139 --> 00:06:29.160 and he gives the crowd their way in allowing Jesus to be crucified. 00:06:30.040 --> 00:06:32.160 He looks like the person who's in charge. 00:06:32.160 --> 00:06:37.800 Actually, he's one of the ones who's pathetic and powerless in this situation. 00:06:39.240 --> 00:06:42.480 Then you have the chief priests, the leaders of the Jews. 00:06:43.920 --> 00:06:48.440 They know in their hearts to ensure that Jesus has not done anything 00:06:48.440 --> 00:06:50.760 that's worthy of death. 00:06:51.640 --> 00:06:54.900 And yet they're determined to see him crucified. 00:06:55.860 --> 00:06:58.500 But their problem is they're not able to do it. 00:06:58.500 --> 00:07:04.240 But they need Pilate to condemn him before he can be executed. 00:07:05.100 --> 00:07:07.980 And they try all sorts of ways to achieve that. 00:07:08.060 --> 00:07:10.779 They start by accusing Jesus of planning rebellion, 00:07:10.899 --> 00:07:13.480 of claiming to be a king, of going against Caesar. 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:16.420 When Pilate ultimately pours scorn on that, 00:07:16.519 --> 00:07:19.319 they change their accusation to it becomes a religious one, 00:07:19.740 --> 00:07:21.500 saying he's broken their law by blaspheming 00:07:21.500 --> 00:07:24.300 and claiming to be the son of God. 00:07:25.459 --> 00:07:29.120 Ultimately, they put pressure on Pilate through a thinly veiled threat 00:07:29.120 --> 00:07:31.839 to his job, maybe even to his life. 00:07:32.500 --> 00:07:36.060 And they're even willing to say they have no king but Caesar, 00:07:36.399 --> 00:07:40.839 which in itself is a blasphemy because their king is God. 00:07:41.560 --> 00:07:45.300 They too are pathetic and powerless. 00:07:45.300 --> 00:07:49.579 And standing above all this is Jesus. 00:07:50.879 --> 00:07:55.439 They're meekly submitting to everything that's given to him, 00:07:55.480 --> 00:08:01.860 but doing it with dignity, doing it knowing that what he is doing is God's will. 00:08:02.540 --> 00:08:06.620 So as I say, we're going to come at the end and think particularly about Jesus. 00:08:06.759 --> 00:08:10.500 We'll also think a bit about the motives of the high priests 00:08:10.500 --> 00:08:14.180 and of Pilate and how they might apply to us. 00:08:14.860 --> 00:08:17.439 But I want to just take a few minutes to walk through the story, 00:08:17.779 --> 00:08:18.660 walk through the narrative, 00:08:18.800 --> 00:08:21.839 because I think it's quite important that we understand it. 00:08:22.920 --> 00:08:24.579 If you were here last Sunday, 00:08:24.980 --> 00:08:29.079 you may remember that Archie took us through the first parts of Jesus' trials. 00:08:29.079 --> 00:08:30.879 There was one before the high priests, 00:08:31.379 --> 00:08:37.320 and then he was brought into Pilate and stood trial there. 00:08:37.320 --> 00:08:40.760 And Archie described it as having a number of scenes in it. 00:08:41.960 --> 00:08:44.020 Because it was Passover time, 00:08:44.400 --> 00:08:47.080 the Jews didn't want to go into Pilate's palace, 00:08:47.100 --> 00:08:48.740 where the trial was taking place, 00:08:48.980 --> 00:08:50.600 and become richly unclean. 00:08:51.140 --> 00:08:52.300 So they stood outside, 00:08:52.740 --> 00:08:54.840 and Pilate shuttled backwards and forwards 00:08:54.840 --> 00:08:56.240 between his court inside 00:08:56.240 --> 00:08:58.180 and the courtyard outside, 00:08:58.560 --> 00:09:00.060 where the people were. 00:09:01.000 --> 00:09:02.380 There were three scenes last week. 00:09:02.460 --> 00:09:05.320 The first of them were Pilate was trying to establish the charge. 00:09:05.320 --> 00:09:08.220 The second where he was interrogating Jesus, 00:09:08.780 --> 00:09:11.740 and they had the discussion about kingship and about truth. 00:09:12.540 --> 00:09:13.600 And then the third one, 00:09:13.920 --> 00:09:17.620 where Pilate made an attempt to persuade the crowd to release Jesus 00:09:17.620 --> 00:09:20.660 in the traditional way that someone was released at Passover time, 00:09:21.060 --> 00:09:22.900 and they chose Barabbas. 00:09:23.879 --> 00:09:26.300 Today we have four more scenes, 00:09:27.100 --> 00:09:28.400 two outside the palace, 00:09:28.820 --> 00:09:30.800 and two inside it. 00:09:30.799 --> 00:09:32.319 And the first of them, 00:09:32.419 --> 00:09:33.279 if you've got your Bible, 00:09:33.740 --> 00:09:36.899 is in verses 1 to 3. 00:09:38.079 --> 00:09:39.679 And we're inside the palace, 00:09:40.439 --> 00:09:43.899 and Pilate is having Jesus flawed. 00:09:44.699 --> 00:09:46.579 I've given this one the heading, 00:09:46.939 --> 00:09:47.599 inhumanity, 00:09:47.659 --> 00:09:49.099 because that's what it is, isn't it? 00:09:49.639 --> 00:09:52.419 Pilate believes that Jesus is innocent. 00:09:53.359 --> 00:09:54.339 He's tried him, 00:09:54.399 --> 00:09:55.240 he's talked with him, 00:09:55.299 --> 00:09:57.099 he's heard the accusations against him, 00:09:57.100 --> 00:10:00.980 and he can find nothing that Jesus has done wrong. 00:10:01.899 --> 00:10:02.659 And yet, 00:10:03.080 --> 00:10:04.300 he has him flogged, 00:10:04.659 --> 00:10:08.100 and he releases him to the soldiers to mock him. 00:10:09.379 --> 00:10:11.860 There are two floggings of Jesus recorded 00:10:11.860 --> 00:10:14.680 in the Gospel narratives of the crucifixion. 00:10:15.200 --> 00:10:16.420 This one in John, 00:10:16.500 --> 00:10:17.920 which is in the middle of the trial, 00:10:18.560 --> 00:10:19.879 and then in Mark's Gospel, 00:10:20.080 --> 00:10:21.920 there's a flogging after the trial, 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:24.740 before Jesus is taken away to be crucified. 00:10:24.740 --> 00:10:29.639 Now, that second flogging was terribly severe. 00:10:30.480 --> 00:10:33.620 In fact, many people apparently didn't survive it. 00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:36.480 It was normal before a crucifixion, 00:10:36.519 --> 00:10:37.759 I think probably to make sure 00:10:37.759 --> 00:10:39.580 that the person being crucified 00:10:39.580 --> 00:10:41.360 wasn't too long on the cross, 00:10:41.419 --> 00:10:43.879 that they died relatively quickly. 00:10:45.320 --> 00:10:48.299 Probably this flogging wasn't quite as severe, 00:10:48.799 --> 00:10:50.980 but nevertheless very brutal. 00:10:51.740 --> 00:10:53.960 Maybe more akin to what we sometimes read about 00:10:53.960 --> 00:10:54.820 in the Middle East 00:10:54.820 --> 00:10:57.519 when people endure punishment floggings, 00:10:57.560 --> 00:10:58.460 that kind of thing, 00:10:58.860 --> 00:10:59.700 really brutal, 00:11:00.220 --> 00:11:01.180 really painful, 00:11:01.879 --> 00:11:03.000 blood flowing everywhere, 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:06.080 but not life-threatening at that point. 00:11:07.019 --> 00:11:10.200 But Pilate has the innocent Jesus flogged. 00:11:11.019 --> 00:11:13.500 And then the soldiers have their fun. 00:11:14.360 --> 00:11:15.800 They twist together the thorns 00:11:15.800 --> 00:11:18.480 to make a crown more agony for Jesus. 00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:21.720 They put a purple robe in mockery, 00:11:22.120 --> 00:11:23.379 mocking his kingship, 00:11:23.720 --> 00:11:24.879 and they come up and say, 00:11:25.019 --> 00:11:26.100 Hail, King of the Jews, 00:11:26.259 --> 00:11:27.920 and they slap him in the face, 00:11:28.259 --> 00:11:28.700 I suppose, 00:11:28.800 --> 00:11:32.399 just to demonstrate how powerless this king is. 00:11:33.460 --> 00:11:35.539 Utterly no justice here. 00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:38.120 Nothing that is justified 00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:41.000 in terms of what happens to Jesus. 00:11:41.820 --> 00:11:42.460 And we might ask, 00:11:42.519 --> 00:11:44.180 well, why does Pilate do it? 00:11:44.179 --> 00:11:48.039 If Pilate really believes that Jesus is innocent, 00:11:48.479 --> 00:11:51.139 why does he allow this to happen to him 00:11:51.139 --> 00:11:53.719 instead of just releasing him? 00:11:54.759 --> 00:11:56.500 Well, the most likely explanation 00:11:56.500 --> 00:11:59.659 is that Pilate is hoping to win the sympathy 00:11:59.659 --> 00:12:02.259 of the Jewish crowd for Jesus. 00:12:02.959 --> 00:12:04.399 To be able to say to them, 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:05.919 hasn't he suffered enough? 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:07.659 I've made an example of him. 00:12:08.039 --> 00:12:11.279 He clearly isn't a threat to the power of Rome. 00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:14.100 There's no reason for me to get him crucified. 00:12:14.720 --> 00:12:18.000 Have I not done enough to him? 00:12:18.799 --> 00:12:21.240 And I think that's probably why he did it 00:12:21.240 --> 00:12:23.319 and why he then brought Jesus out 00:12:23.319 --> 00:12:25.199 to show the crowd. 00:12:25.860 --> 00:12:27.220 So he brings Jesus out 00:12:27.220 --> 00:12:30.100 and he shows him to the crown, 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:30.539 says, 00:12:30.779 --> 00:12:31.579 Here is the man. 00:12:31.679 --> 00:12:32.620 Behold the man. 00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:35.120 And immediately the crowd, 00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:36.620 the chief priests and the officials, 00:12:36.799 --> 00:12:37.959 shout, crucify. 00:12:37.960 --> 00:12:41.660 Pilate's plan has not worked. 00:12:42.660 --> 00:12:44.139 He brought Jesus out, 00:12:44.200 --> 00:12:46.180 his back streaming with blood, 00:12:46.420 --> 00:12:48.019 blood flowing from his head 00:12:48.019 --> 00:12:50.600 and his cheeks bruised from the slapping, 00:12:51.019 --> 00:12:53.379 that silly robe on him in mockery. 00:12:53.920 --> 00:12:55.900 And he thinks that will win the sympathy 00:12:55.900 --> 00:12:57.320 of the crowd. 00:12:57.680 --> 00:12:59.160 And it almost does the opposite. 00:12:59.400 --> 00:13:00.759 They're even more determined 00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:02.660 to crucify him. 00:13:03.540 --> 00:13:05.040 And they come up with, as I said, 00:13:05.040 --> 00:13:07.420 with an alternative accusation. 00:13:07.960 --> 00:13:09.680 So they seem to have realised 00:13:09.680 --> 00:13:12.259 this accusation that Jesus is a revolutionary, 00:13:12.440 --> 00:13:13.460 is dangerous to Rome. 00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:15.100 That's not going to wash. 00:13:15.639 --> 00:13:18.160 Here's something that Pilate can't argue with. 00:13:18.480 --> 00:13:20.200 Let's hit him with our own laws, 00:13:20.300 --> 00:13:21.620 with the Jewish laws, 00:13:21.720 --> 00:13:23.480 with our religious laws. 00:13:24.639 --> 00:13:25.340 Now the Romans, 00:13:25.540 --> 00:13:26.620 anywhere they occupied, 00:13:27.040 --> 00:13:28.960 were very aware of the sensitivities 00:13:29.639 --> 00:13:31.460 of the religious views 00:13:31.460 --> 00:13:33.460 of the occupied lands. 00:13:33.460 --> 00:13:34.800 And they tried, where possible, 00:13:35.300 --> 00:13:36.820 to accommodate them. 00:13:36.820 --> 00:13:38.080 So the Jews thought, 00:13:38.200 --> 00:13:39.120 well, here's a plan 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:41.460 that we can put into effect. 00:13:42.560 --> 00:13:43.960 And what Pilate should have done 00:13:43.960 --> 00:13:44.680 was to say, 00:13:44.740 --> 00:13:45.900 well, these are your laws. 00:13:46.140 --> 00:13:47.460 They're not the laws of Rome. 00:13:47.640 --> 00:13:49.860 I still find Jesus innocent. 00:13:51.140 --> 00:13:52.640 He maybe tried to do that 00:13:52.640 --> 00:13:53.620 a bit obliquely 00:13:53.620 --> 00:13:54.860 by saying to him, 00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:55.560 well, you take him 00:13:55.560 --> 00:13:56.900 and crucify him then 00:13:56.900 --> 00:13:58.200 if he's broken your law. 00:13:58.620 --> 00:13:59.700 Knowing full well 00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:01.140 that the Jews couldn't do that 00:14:01.140 --> 00:14:03.240 because they didn't have 00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:04.280 the authority. 00:14:04.279 --> 00:14:07.439 But what's happened here, 00:14:07.819 --> 00:14:08.419 ultimately, 00:14:09.059 --> 00:14:10.259 is that the Jews, 00:14:10.659 --> 00:14:12.559 their plan has backfired too. 00:14:13.360 --> 00:14:14.079 Because it says, 00:14:14.179 --> 00:14:16.879 Pilate was even more afraid 00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:18.399 when he heard this. 00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:20.019 Why was that? 00:14:20.579 --> 00:14:21.899 Pilate was a Roman, of course, 00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:22.799 or a Roman citizen. 00:14:23.579 --> 00:14:24.939 And Romans believed 00:14:24.939 --> 00:14:26.899 in many different gods. 00:14:27.899 --> 00:14:29.079 They believed also 00:14:29.079 --> 00:14:30.039 that on occasion, 00:14:30.339 --> 00:14:31.480 gods might come down 00:14:31.480 --> 00:14:32.480 as humans. 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:35.139 And I think in this situation, 00:14:35.740 --> 00:14:37.120 Pilate is really worried 00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:38.840 that maybe Jesus is 00:14:38.840 --> 00:14:40.100 who he says he is 00:14:40.100 --> 00:14:41.759 and who the Jews 00:14:41.759 --> 00:14:42.940 are accusing him of. 00:14:43.539 --> 00:14:45.500 Is he a son of the gods 00:14:45.500 --> 00:14:46.360 because they believed 00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:47.039 in plural gods? 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:48.200 Is he a son of the gods 00:14:48.200 --> 00:14:49.019 come to earth? 00:14:49.440 --> 00:14:50.460 And what will happen 00:14:50.460 --> 00:14:51.220 to Pilate 00:14:51.220 --> 00:14:52.920 if he kills someone 00:14:52.920 --> 00:14:54.060 who's one of the gods? 00:14:54.519 --> 00:14:55.759 What dreadful fate 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:57.159 is going to befall him 00:14:57.159 --> 00:14:59.360 as a result of that? 00:15:00.440 --> 00:15:01.759 So we have the next scene then 00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:03.620 where Pilate goes back in 00:15:03.620 --> 00:15:05.299 and he talks again 00:15:05.299 --> 00:15:06.340 with Jesus. 00:15:07.299 --> 00:15:08.340 And he asks him first, 00:15:08.580 --> 00:15:09.679 where do you come from? 00:15:10.319 --> 00:15:11.299 Now I'm sure Pilate 00:15:11.299 --> 00:15:12.080 wasn't expecting 00:15:12.080 --> 00:15:13.659 the answer in Nazareth to that. 00:15:14.179 --> 00:15:15.059 He was asking 00:15:15.059 --> 00:15:16.039 a spiritual question. 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:17.659 He was asking Jesus effectively, 00:15:18.019 --> 00:15:20.220 are you really a god? 00:15:21.019 --> 00:15:22.700 And Jesus doesn't reply, 00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:24.379 maybe because he's already 00:15:24.379 --> 00:15:25.299 given the answer. 00:15:25.980 --> 00:15:27.159 Back in chapter 18 00:15:27.159 --> 00:15:28.620 that we looked at last week, 00:15:28.620 --> 00:15:29.740 Jesus says, 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:30.560 my kingdom 00:15:30.560 --> 00:15:32.840 is not from this world. 00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:35.539 So he was admitting 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:37.100 the claim that he was a king, 00:15:37.580 --> 00:15:39.259 but saying he was a spiritual, 00:15:39.620 --> 00:15:40.720 a heavenly kingdom 00:15:40.720 --> 00:15:43.060 rather than an earthly one. 00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:45.899 So Jesus doesn't answer Pilate. 00:15:46.679 --> 00:15:48.460 And Pilate then pushes and says, 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:49.860 don't you realize 00:15:49.860 --> 00:15:50.679 I have power 00:15:50.679 --> 00:15:52.200 either to free you 00:15:52.200 --> 00:15:53.879 or to crucify you? 00:15:54.840 --> 00:15:56.000 And Jesus gives him a reply. 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:58.279 That gives him two replies to that. 00:15:59.000 --> 00:16:00.340 One is to say, 00:16:00.799 --> 00:16:02.000 you would have no power 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:03.860 unless it was given to you 00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:04.720 from above. 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:05.720 Now again, 00:16:05.840 --> 00:16:06.299 from above, 00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:07.759 I don't think means Rome. 00:16:07.919 --> 00:16:08.820 Pilate would have no power 00:16:08.820 --> 00:16:10.720 if it wasn't given to him by Rome. 00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:11.960 But Jesus means 00:16:11.960 --> 00:16:13.360 it's come from heaven. 00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:15.139 And then he says, 00:16:15.220 --> 00:16:17.279 the one who handed me over to you 00:16:17.279 --> 00:16:20.779 is guilty of a greater sin. 00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:23.539 Who was it who handed Jesus over to Pilate? 00:16:23.539 --> 00:16:25.980 I don't think he's talking about Judas here. 00:16:26.319 --> 00:16:27.919 He's talking particularly about Caiaphas, 00:16:28.059 --> 00:16:28.839 the high priest, 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:31.539 and the chief priests of the Jews generally. 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:33.199 They are the ones 00:16:33.199 --> 00:16:36.179 who bear the greatest guilt for this. 00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:38.559 And as Pilate hears that, 00:16:38.959 --> 00:16:41.719 Pilate appears to be convinced by it. 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:44.240 Because as he goes out again, 00:16:44.719 --> 00:16:46.179 John says that he made 00:16:46.179 --> 00:16:47.919 continuing efforts 00:16:47.919 --> 00:16:50.659 to get Jesus freed. 00:16:50.659 --> 00:16:53.740 He wanted to be able to release Jesus. 00:16:54.319 --> 00:16:56.539 He just never could quite bring himself 00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:57.819 to do it. 00:16:58.919 --> 00:17:00.539 And as he goes out again and says, 00:17:00.939 --> 00:17:01.959 here is your king, 00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:04.139 and the Jews shall take him away 00:17:04.139 --> 00:17:05.139 and crucify him. 00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:06.859 They also say, 00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:09.240 if you let this man go, 00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:11.599 you are no friend of Caesar. 00:17:11.599 --> 00:17:12.839 That's in verse 12, 00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:14.119 if you're following. 00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:16.059 Anyone who claims to be a king 00:17:16.059 --> 00:17:17.819 opposes Caesar. 00:17:17.819 --> 00:17:20.359 Now, to understand this, 00:17:20.439 --> 00:17:21.299 we need to know a little bit 00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:22.599 about Pilate's situation. 00:17:23.539 --> 00:17:25.679 Pilate was the governor of Judea. 00:17:26.359 --> 00:17:27.379 In many ways, 00:17:27.419 --> 00:17:28.879 he wasn't a very good governor. 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:31.299 There was quite a lot of rebellion 00:17:31.299 --> 00:17:32.319 during his time, 00:17:32.619 --> 00:17:34.539 which Pilate crushed quite brutally. 00:17:35.419 --> 00:17:36.599 But even with that, 00:17:36.659 --> 00:17:38.500 he wouldn't be well regarded in Rome 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:40.259 if his province was seen 00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:41.819 as being a bit unruly. 00:17:41.819 --> 00:17:44.720 On top of that, 00:17:44.839 --> 00:17:48.220 his neighbor Herod, 00:17:48.339 --> 00:17:49.899 who was in charge in Galilee, 00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:51.240 was highly regarded. 00:17:51.359 --> 00:17:52.879 He was quite in 00:17:52.879 --> 00:17:56.179 with the people in power in Rome. 00:17:56.700 --> 00:17:57.359 So, on that point, 00:17:57.419 --> 00:17:58.740 if two things were a bit shaky 00:17:58.740 --> 00:18:00.119 for Pilate, 00:18:00.779 --> 00:18:02.119 and the third thing was 00:18:02.119 --> 00:18:03.099 the house of Annas, 00:18:03.179 --> 00:18:05.500 the high priestly house of Israel, 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:08.299 was very wealthy and influential. 00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:10.819 And they were quite capable 00:18:10.819 --> 00:18:11.960 of going to Rome 00:18:11.960 --> 00:18:12.779 and saying, 00:18:12.899 --> 00:18:14.180 look, this man Pilate, 00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:16.019 he's not doing a good job. 00:18:16.319 --> 00:18:17.599 He's even letting someone 00:18:17.599 --> 00:18:19.039 who stands against Rome 00:18:19.039 --> 00:18:20.119 go free. 00:18:21.339 --> 00:18:22.659 And Pilate would have been worried 00:18:22.659 --> 00:18:23.700 not just for his job, 00:18:23.779 --> 00:18:25.559 but probably also for his life, 00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:27.619 because Caesar Tiberius, 00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:29.000 who was the emperor at this time, 00:18:29.379 --> 00:18:30.059 was notorious, 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:32.259 as many despots are, 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:34.019 was notorious for his jealousy 00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:35.859 and for putting to death 00:18:35.859 --> 00:18:36.639 anyone who showed 00:18:36.639 --> 00:18:38.000 even the slightest sign 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:40.240 of not being behind him. 00:18:41.099 --> 00:18:42.819 So, Pilate is feeling here 00:18:42.819 --> 00:18:44.099 that his life, 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:45.220 certainly his job, 00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:46.519 is at stake. 00:18:47.720 --> 00:18:48.599 And ultimately, 00:18:48.839 --> 00:18:50.859 that is more important to him 00:18:50.859 --> 00:18:52.400 than doing justice. 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:54.779 He believed firmly 00:18:54.779 --> 00:18:57.139 that Jesus is innocent. 00:18:58.119 --> 00:18:59.619 But at the end of the day, 00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:01.619 what he's most interested in 00:19:01.619 --> 00:19:02.720 is his own welfare, 00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:04.400 his own safety, 00:19:05.079 --> 00:19:06.600 his own job. 00:19:07.700 --> 00:19:08.360 He really is, 00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:09.039 in that sense, 00:19:09.120 --> 00:19:10.519 pretty pathetic and powerless 00:19:10.519 --> 00:19:11.620 as he gives in 00:19:11.620 --> 00:19:13.299 to the chief priests 00:19:13.299 --> 00:19:14.500 and the rulers. 00:19:15.400 --> 00:19:15.620 And so, 00:19:15.640 --> 00:19:16.400 he's a final effort 00:19:16.400 --> 00:19:17.279 to talk about Jesus 00:19:17.279 --> 00:19:18.200 as the king, 00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:20.220 and then he releases him 00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:22.079 to be crucified. 00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:22.980 We'll follow that 00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:25.339 over the next couple of weeks. 00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:27.480 Let's go back, though, 00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:28.740 as we come towards the end, 00:19:29.120 --> 00:19:30.539 and let's just think about, 00:19:30.539 --> 00:19:31.079 again, 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:32.919 a bit about the characters 00:19:32.919 --> 00:19:34.279 in the story. 00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:34.879 And we'll take them 00:19:34.879 --> 00:19:35.819 in the reverse order 00:19:35.819 --> 00:19:37.500 from what we looked at them 00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:38.460 previously. 00:19:40.399 --> 00:19:41.679 So, first of all, 00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:43.759 we have the chief priests, 00:19:43.879 --> 00:19:46.220 the leaders of the Israelites. 00:19:47.339 --> 00:19:48.559 What do we make of them? 00:19:48.639 --> 00:19:49.359 Well, their minds 00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:50.439 were totally closed 00:19:50.439 --> 00:19:51.179 to the truth, 00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:51.799 weren't they? 00:19:51.799 --> 00:19:54.480 They had managed 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:55.839 to convince themselves, 00:19:56.339 --> 00:19:57.079 or at least to try 00:19:57.079 --> 00:19:58.000 and convince others, 00:19:58.339 --> 00:19:59.839 that Jesus was a threat 00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:00.460 to Rome, 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:01.960 but also to them. 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:03.299 He was a threat to them 00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:04.379 because he exposed 00:20:04.379 --> 00:20:05.680 their hypocrisy. 00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:07.819 And whatever happened, 00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:09.539 they were not willing 00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:12.180 to yield one inch 00:20:12.180 --> 00:20:13.539 in their determination 00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:15.339 to see him crucified. 00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:17.359 Jesus made them 00:20:17.359 --> 00:20:18.259 uncomfortable. 00:20:18.639 --> 00:20:21.259 He exposed their hypocrisy. 00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:23.980 And they wanted rid of him, 00:20:24.339 --> 00:20:25.180 whatever happened. 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:28.180 I think we can put 00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:29.220 a modern context 00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:30.019 on that too. 00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:31.919 There are a lot of people 00:20:31.919 --> 00:20:32.919 around today 00:20:32.919 --> 00:20:34.440 who Jesus makes 00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:35.839 feel very uncomfortable 00:20:35.839 --> 00:20:37.720 and would really not 00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:38.639 want anything 00:20:38.639 --> 00:20:39.680 to do with him. 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:40.359 They would rather 00:20:40.359 --> 00:20:41.259 he wasn't there. 00:20:41.639 --> 00:20:42.299 They would rather 00:20:42.299 --> 00:20:43.500 forget about him. 00:20:43.500 --> 00:20:44.180 I'm not talking, 00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:44.899 by and large, 00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:46.240 about religious people. 00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:48.159 Certainly secularists, 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:48.859 many of them, 00:20:49.079 --> 00:20:49.919 would be like that. 00:20:49.920 --> 00:20:51.300 Let's just get rid of Jesus. 00:20:51.920 --> 00:20:53.360 We don't want anything 00:20:53.360 --> 00:20:55.140 to do with him. 00:20:55.840 --> 00:20:57.120 Perhaps someone here 00:20:57.120 --> 00:20:58.640 is a bit like that. 00:20:58.759 --> 00:20:59.800 Jesus makes you feel 00:20:59.800 --> 00:21:00.519 uncomfortable. 00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:01.960 You don't know 00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:02.759 what to make of him, 00:21:02.800 --> 00:21:03.460 but you just want 00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:04.400 to blank him out, 00:21:04.800 --> 00:21:05.580 not have anything 00:21:05.580 --> 00:21:07.480 to do with him. 00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:09.799 If you're like that, 00:21:09.880 --> 00:21:10.519 can I urge you 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:11.860 not to close your mind 00:21:11.860 --> 00:21:12.839 the way that 00:21:12.839 --> 00:21:13.900 the chief priests 00:21:13.900 --> 00:21:15.579 and the Jewish leaders did. 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:17.319 Read one of the books 00:21:17.319 --> 00:21:18.140 we've got in the foyer, 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:18.799 perhaps particularly 00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:19.940 read the John's Gospels 00:21:19.940 --> 00:21:20.920 that are there. 00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:22.019 Come to them 00:21:22.019 --> 00:21:23.240 with an open mind 00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:24.799 and read sincerely 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:26.660 looking for the truth. 00:21:27.360 --> 00:21:28.519 Who is this man, 00:21:28.640 --> 00:21:28.920 Jesus? 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.740 What happened to him? 00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:31.819 What did he do? 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:33.140 What relevance 00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:34.759 does he have today? 00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:37.640 See whether it rings true 00:21:37.640 --> 00:21:39.180 as it has for so many 00:21:39.180 --> 00:21:40.599 others here. 00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:42.559 Perhaps I could also say 00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:43.379 to those of you 00:21:43.379 --> 00:21:44.059 who are Christians, 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:45.299 who are followers of Jesus, 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:46.980 you may have friends 00:21:46.980 --> 00:21:48.559 you think are like that. 00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:50.480 They are never going 00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:51.559 to accept Jesus. 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:52.619 They're so opposed 00:21:52.619 --> 00:21:53.240 to everything 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:54.839 that you stand for, 00:21:55.140 --> 00:21:56.539 to any kind of faith, 00:21:56.839 --> 00:21:57.819 they are never going 00:21:57.819 --> 00:21:59.379 to become Christians. 00:22:00.279 --> 00:22:01.379 Well, can I encourage you 00:22:01.379 --> 00:22:02.759 keep praying for them 00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:04.440 and keep your witness 00:22:04.440 --> 00:22:05.980 to them active. 00:22:06.759 --> 00:22:07.819 We don't know 00:22:07.819 --> 00:22:08.720 whose heart God 00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:09.660 is going to soften 00:22:09.660 --> 00:22:10.940 and it is often 00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:11.740 those who appear 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:12.680 most opposed 00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:14.180 to Christian faith 00:22:14.180 --> 00:22:15.220 and to the Lord Jesus 00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:17.079 actually who come 00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:17.740 to be broken 00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:19.619 and moved by the Spirit 00:22:19.619 --> 00:22:21.160 and come to trust 00:22:21.160 --> 00:22:21.980 in him. 00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:23.519 Keep praying 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.420 for your friends 00:22:24.420 --> 00:22:25.420 or your family 00:22:25.420 --> 00:22:27.220 that God will 00:22:27.220 --> 00:22:28.039 draw them 00:22:28.039 --> 00:22:29.019 to himself. 00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:32.180 Secondly, 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:33.099 in this we have 00:22:33.099 --> 00:22:33.859 Pilate. 00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:35.279 Pilate, 00:22:35.400 --> 00:22:36.180 the one who seemed 00:22:36.180 --> 00:22:37.059 to be in power 00:22:37.059 --> 00:22:39.500 but actually wasn't. 00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:40.680 Pilate, 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:41.759 the man who wanted 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:43.259 to do what was right 00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:44.660 but actually 00:22:44.660 --> 00:22:45.879 at the end of the day 00:22:45.879 --> 00:22:47.160 because of his own 00:22:47.160 --> 00:22:48.119 self-interest 00:22:48.119 --> 00:22:49.740 he just couldn't 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:50.559 bring himself 00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:51.799 to do that. 00:22:53.319 --> 00:22:54.240 Perhaps people like here, 00:22:54.319 --> 00:22:55.200 perhaps someone here 00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:57.019 is in that position too. 00:22:57.819 --> 00:22:59.000 You've looked at Jesus. 00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:00.740 You see someone 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.519 who's attractive. 00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:02.579 Perhaps you believe 00:23:02.579 --> 00:23:03.240 even that he's 00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:04.119 a son of God 00:23:04.119 --> 00:23:05.039 that he died 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:05.740 on the cross 00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:07.559 for our sins. 00:23:08.180 --> 00:23:09.359 And yet you've not 00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:11.059 taken that final step 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:12.519 of trusting in him 00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:13.480 and committing 00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:15.019 your life to him. 00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:16.839 Perhaps it would mean 00:23:16.839 --> 00:23:17.799 too many changes 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:19.220 to your lifestyle. 00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:21.119 Or perhaps you're 00:23:21.119 --> 00:23:21.660 worried about 00:23:21.660 --> 00:23:22.359 what others, 00:23:22.460 --> 00:23:22.940 your family, 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:23.500 your friends 00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:24.019 or whoever 00:23:24.019 --> 00:23:25.539 might say about it 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:26.519 and it's just 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:27.019 you feel 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:27.779 too much 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:29.420 for you to do. 00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:31.399 Again today 00:23:31.399 --> 00:23:32.180 can I urge you 00:23:32.180 --> 00:23:32.960 look at Jesus, 00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:33.720 look at all 00:23:33.720 --> 00:23:34.799 that he has done 00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:35.879 for you. 00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:37.599 If he has done 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:38.839 so much for you 00:23:38.839 --> 00:23:40.240 then you must be 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:41.700 willing to trust him 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:42.940 and to commit 00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:43.579 your life 00:23:43.579 --> 00:23:44.379 to him. 00:23:44.879 --> 00:23:45.200 Yes, 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:46.200 there may be difficulties, 00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:46.960 it's not easy 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:48.119 always being a Christian 00:23:48.119 --> 00:23:49.379 but ultimately 00:23:49.379 --> 00:23:50.159 it's worthwhile 00:23:50.159 --> 00:23:50.920 as our sins 00:23:50.920 --> 00:23:51.539 are forgiven, 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:52.779 as we have 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.480 a relationship 00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:54.339 with God 00:23:54.339 --> 00:23:55.519 as we know 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:56.539 our future 00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:57.860 is secure. 00:23:59.140 --> 00:23:59.500 And again 00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:00.240 if you're a Christian 00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:01.120 you've got family 00:24:01.120 --> 00:24:01.680 or friends 00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:02.120 who you think 00:24:02.120 --> 00:24:03.099 are in that kind 00:24:03.099 --> 00:24:03.579 of position 00:24:03.579 --> 00:24:04.660 again keep praying 00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:05.240 for them, 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:06.460 keep your witness 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:07.779 consistent to them, 00:24:08.099 --> 00:24:08.940 help them to see 00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:09.500 in you 00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:10.940 that it is worthwhile 00:24:10.940 --> 00:24:12.099 following Jesus 00:24:12.099 --> 00:24:13.759 in spite of any 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:14.539 sacrifices 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:15.819 you might need 00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:16.400 to make. 00:24:19.339 --> 00:24:20.120 And let's end 00:24:20.120 --> 00:24:20.299 with, 00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:20.759 as I said, 00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:21.180 we would 00:24:21.180 --> 00:24:22.759 with Jesus. 00:24:24.360 --> 00:24:25.200 Fix your eyes 00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:25.500 on him, 00:24:25.620 --> 00:24:27.039 behold the man 00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:27.980 says Pilate, 00:24:28.080 --> 00:24:29.840 behold your king. 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:31.700 Don't you notice 00:24:31.700 --> 00:24:32.820 in last week's reading 00:24:32.820 --> 00:24:33.680 and this week's 00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:34.600 how often 00:24:34.600 --> 00:24:36.000 the kingship 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:36.560 of Jesus 00:24:36.560 --> 00:24:38.039 is referred to? 00:24:38.620 --> 00:24:40.279 I think 11 times 00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:41.100 it talks about 00:24:41.100 --> 00:24:41.600 the king 00:24:41.600 --> 00:24:42.320 or the kingdom 00:24:42.320 --> 00:24:43.820 or whatever. 00:24:44.519 --> 00:24:45.500 11 times 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.560 often 00:24:46.560 --> 00:24:47.980 an accusation, 00:24:48.860 --> 00:24:49.320 sometimes 00:24:49.320 --> 00:24:50.539 said in mockery, 00:24:51.180 --> 00:24:51.920 perhaps said 00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:52.640 in sarcasm 00:24:52.640 --> 00:24:53.340 by Pilate 00:24:53.340 --> 00:24:54.019 as he says, 00:24:54.279 --> 00:24:55.820 behold your king. 00:24:56.779 --> 00:24:57.120 And yet 00:24:57.120 --> 00:24:58.039 John is wanting 00:24:58.039 --> 00:24:58.720 very much 00:24:58.720 --> 00:24:59.440 to direct 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:00.019 our thoughts 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:00.640 to the fact 00:25:00.640 --> 00:25:01.240 that Jesus 00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:03.000 is a true 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.779 king. 00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:05.779 He is the king 00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:07.039 of the universe. 00:25:08.080 --> 00:25:08.560 He might not 00:25:08.560 --> 00:25:09.400 have looked like it 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:10.680 but his kingdom 00:25:10.680 --> 00:25:11.740 is not 00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:13.039 of this world. 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:14.920 And it's actually 00:25:14.920 --> 00:25:15.440 in Jesus' 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:16.039 suffering 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:16.759 we read in 00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.440 John's gospel 00:25:17.440 --> 00:25:18.160 that we really 00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:19.640 see his glory. 00:25:19.640 --> 00:25:21.180 he says, 00:25:21.300 --> 00:25:22.000 if I be lifted 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.520 up, 00:25:22.640 --> 00:25:23.740 that's on the cross, 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:25.020 I will draw 00:25:25.020 --> 00:25:26.020 all men 00:25:26.020 --> 00:25:27.020 to me. 00:25:27.540 --> 00:25:28.300 He talks about 00:25:28.300 --> 00:25:29.800 being glorified. 00:25:30.860 --> 00:25:31.720 And in this 00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:32.820 scene of weakness, 00:25:33.180 --> 00:25:33.640 which we'll see 00:25:33.640 --> 00:25:34.420 continued over 00:25:34.420 --> 00:25:35.080 the next week 00:25:35.080 --> 00:25:35.540 or so, 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.400 in this scene 00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:36.920 of apparent 00:25:36.920 --> 00:25:37.400 weakness, 00:25:38.080 --> 00:25:39.540 we see actually 00:25:39.540 --> 00:25:41.060 Jesus the king 00:25:41.060 --> 00:25:42.980 being glorified. 00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:44.820 And one day, 00:25:45.500 --> 00:25:45.980 one day, 00:25:46.040 --> 00:25:46.480 and it may not 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:47.160 be very long, 00:25:47.160 --> 00:25:48.460 Jesus will return 00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:49.920 and everyone 00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:50.600 will see 00:25:50.600 --> 00:25:51.779 that he is 00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:53.300 the true king. 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:54.259 He will return 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:55.279 to reign 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:56.259 in his 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:58.100 rightful place. 00:25:58.660 --> 00:25:59.420 We need today 00:25:59.420 --> 00:26:00.680 to fix our eyes 00:26:00.680 --> 00:26:01.620 on Jesus 00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:02.700 the king 00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:04.180 and to own him 00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:05.880 as our king. 00:26:06.380 --> 00:26:07.000 As Graham Kendrick 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:07.240 said, 00:26:07.320 --> 00:26:08.519 meekness and majesty, 00:26:09.300 --> 00:26:10.320 manhood and deity 00:26:10.320 --> 00:26:11.759 in perfect harmony, 00:26:12.640 --> 00:26:13.240 the man 00:26:13.240 --> 00:26:14.220 who is 00:26:14.220 --> 00:26:15.120 God. 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:16.579 But there's more 00:26:16.579 --> 00:26:17.019 than that. 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:18.399 If you look at 00:26:18.399 --> 00:26:19.279 the end of the 00:26:19.279 --> 00:26:19.919 passage today, 00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:20.459 towards the end 00:26:20.459 --> 00:26:20.899 of the passage 00:26:20.899 --> 00:26:21.479 and towards the 00:26:21.479 --> 00:26:22.119 beginning of last 00:26:22.119 --> 00:26:22.639 week's passage, 00:26:22.739 --> 00:26:23.479 Archie took us 00:26:23.479 --> 00:26:24.679 through on the 00:26:24.679 --> 00:26:25.219 trial before 00:26:25.219 --> 00:26:25.799 Pilate, 00:26:26.099 --> 00:26:26.839 there are references 00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:27.799 to the Passover 00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:28.359 feast. 00:26:28.819 --> 00:26:29.779 It was Passover 00:26:29.779 --> 00:26:30.379 time. 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:32.719 And John again 00:26:32.719 --> 00:26:33.659 is wanting to 00:26:33.659 --> 00:26:34.599 present to us 00:26:34.599 --> 00:26:36.199 Jesus as our 00:26:36.199 --> 00:26:37.939 Passover lamb. 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:39.019 The one who 00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:39.359 bled. 00:26:39.439 --> 00:26:39.859 We see the 00:26:39.859 --> 00:26:40.699 bleeding today 00:26:40.699 --> 00:26:42.439 in the flogging 00:26:42.439 --> 00:26:42.979 in the crown 00:26:42.979 --> 00:26:43.659 of thorns 00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:44.600 and the one 00:26:44.600 --> 00:26:45.220 who ultimately 00:26:45.220 --> 00:26:45.960 would bleed 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:46.980 and die 00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:48.140 on the cross. 00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.480 He was the 00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:49.940 one who 00:26:49.940 --> 00:26:50.820 willingly gave 00:26:50.820 --> 00:26:52.040 himself as 00:26:52.040 --> 00:26:53.060 God's sacrifice 00:26:53.060 --> 00:26:54.380 for us. 00:26:55.080 --> 00:26:55.720 Enduring the 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:56.120 pain, 00:26:56.820 --> 00:26:57.519 enduring the 00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:58.060 scorn, 00:26:58.720 --> 00:26:59.620 ultimately taking 00:26:59.620 --> 00:27:00.460 God's penalty 00:27:00.460 --> 00:27:01.980 for sin as he 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:02.740 was separated 00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:03.340 from his 00:27:03.340 --> 00:27:04.740 father on the 00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:05.160 cross. 00:27:05.880 --> 00:27:06.480 We need to 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:07.160 look at him 00:27:07.160 --> 00:27:08.340 and see the 00:27:08.340 --> 00:27:08.680 king, 00:27:08.840 --> 00:27:09.580 the king of 00:27:09.580 --> 00:27:10.060 kings, 00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:11.320 but we also 00:27:11.320 --> 00:27:12.060 need to see the 00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:12.819 perfect lamb 00:27:12.819 --> 00:27:13.419 of God, 00:27:13.899 --> 00:27:14.859 the sacrifice 00:27:14.859 --> 00:27:16.740 given for us. 00:27:17.159 --> 00:27:17.839 And as we do, 00:27:17.919 --> 00:27:18.679 as we see these 00:27:18.679 --> 00:27:20.079 two things in 00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:20.419 Jesus, 00:27:21.179 --> 00:27:22.079 we should trust 00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:23.279 in him and 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.960 we should fall 00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:25.220 down and 00:27:25.220 --> 00:27:26.399 worship him. 00:27:27.339 --> 00:27:28.059 This Easter 00:27:28.059 --> 00:27:29.299 lets all of us 00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:30.059 make sure that 00:27:30.059 --> 00:27:30.960 we understand 00:27:30.960 --> 00:27:32.259 who Jesus is, 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:33.579 what he's done, 00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:35.000 that our trust is 00:27:35.000 --> 00:27:35.639 in him and that 00:27:35.639 --> 00:27:36.559 we truly worship 00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:38.019 him as our 00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:38.480 king, 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.700 as our 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:40.599 God. 00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:42.019 I want to 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:42.659 finish by 00:27:42.659 --> 00:27:43.199 reading some 00:27:43.199 --> 00:27:43.699 words that 00:27:43.699 --> 00:27:44.319 Peter wrote 00:27:44.319 --> 00:27:44.899 in his first 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:45.399 letter in 00:27:45.399 --> 00:27:46.139 chapter 2. 00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:47.240 We'll then have 00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:48.079 a short pause 00:27:48.079 --> 00:27:48.799 for reflection 00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:49.839 and then I'll 00:27:49.839 --> 00:27:50.299 pray and I'll 00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:50.919 hand back to 00:27:50.919 --> 00:27:52.059 Simon to 00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:52.959 lead us in 00:27:52.959 --> 00:27:53.439 our closing 00:27:53.439 --> 00:27:54.019 worship. 00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:55.439 Verses from 00:27:55.439 --> 00:27:56.259 1 Peter chapter 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:57.099 2 from 00:27:57.099 --> 00:27:58.119 verse 22. 00:27:58.240 --> 00:27:58.519 He's writing 00:27:58.519 --> 00:27:59.179 about Jesus 00:27:59.179 --> 00:28:00.579 and it says, 00:28:00.699 --> 00:28:01.259 he committed 00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:02.459 no sin 00:28:02.459 --> 00:28:04.539 and no deceit 00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:05.139 was found 00:28:05.139 --> 00:28:05.980 in his mouth. 00:28:06.939 --> 00:28:07.599 When they 00:28:07.599 --> 00:28:08.099 harrowed their 00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:09.119 insults at him, 00:28:09.119 --> 00:28:10.139 he did not 00:28:10.139 --> 00:28:10.899 retaliate. 00:28:11.839 --> 00:28:12.439 When he 00:28:12.439 --> 00:28:12.839 suffered, 00:28:12.959 --> 00:28:13.379 he made 00:28:13.379 --> 00:28:14.179 no threats. 00:28:15.399 --> 00:28:15.719 Instead, 00:28:15.959 --> 00:28:16.579 he entrusted 00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:17.359 himself to 00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:17.799 him who 00:28:17.799 --> 00:28:18.359 judges 00:28:18.359 --> 00:28:19.299 justly. 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:21.339 He himself 00:28:21.339 --> 00:28:22.099 bore our 00:28:22.099 --> 00:28:23.159 sins in 00:28:23.159 --> 00:28:23.819 his body 00:28:23.819 --> 00:28:24.679 on the 00:28:24.679 --> 00:28:25.119 cross. 00:28:25.679 --> 00:28:26.539 So that we 00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:27.299 might die to 00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:27.839 sins and 00:28:27.839 --> 00:28:28.259 live for 00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:28.839 righteousness, 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:30.139 by his 00:28:30.139 --> 00:28:31.239 wounds you 00:28:31.239 --> 00:28:31.719 have been 00:28:31.719 --> 00:28:32.119 healed. 00:28:33.159 --> 00:28:33.539 For you 00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:33.919 were like 00:28:33.919 --> 00:28:34.519 sheep going 00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:35.000 astray, 00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:36.279 but now you 00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:36.859 have returned 00:28:36.859 --> 00:28:37.279 to the 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:38.500 shepherd and 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:40.140 overseer of 00:28:40.140 --> 00:28:40.819 your souls. 00:28:41.380 --> 00:28:41.799 Let's just 00:28:41.799 --> 00:28:42.140 think on 00:28:42.140 --> 00:28:42.660 these words 00:28:42.660 --> 00:28:42.960 and on the 00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:43.400 Lord Jesus 00:28:43.400 --> 00:28:43.859 for a few 00:28:43.859 --> 00:28:45.059 seconds and 00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:45.420 then I'll 00:28:45.420 --> 00:28:45.740 lead in 00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:46.019 prayer. 00:28:50.759 --> 00:28:51.440 Lord Jesus, 00:28:51.599 --> 00:28:52.200 we thank you 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:52.579 for your 00:28:52.579 --> 00:28:53.400 sacrifice for 00:28:53.400 --> 00:28:53.640 us. 00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:55.599 We thank you 00:28:55.599 --> 00:28:56.099 that you were 00:28:56.099 --> 00:28:56.799 willing to go 00:28:56.799 --> 00:28:57.460 all through 00:28:57.460 --> 00:28:58.180 what you 00:28:58.180 --> 00:28:59.599 suffered before 00:28:59.599 --> 00:29:00.180 Pilate, 00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:02.019 the indignity, 00:29:02.640 --> 00:29:03.140 the mocking 00:29:03.140 --> 00:29:03.940 and scorn, 00:29:04.680 --> 00:29:05.680 the agony of 00:29:05.680 --> 00:29:06.339 the flogging, 00:29:06.339 --> 00:29:06.980 the crown of 00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:08.059 thorns placed 00:29:08.059 --> 00:29:08.379 on your 00:29:08.379 --> 00:29:08.720 head. 00:29:09.759 --> 00:29:10.439 And ultimately 00:29:10.439 --> 00:29:10.839 you were 00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:11.359 willing to 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:12.159 go all 00:29:12.159 --> 00:29:12.639 the way to 00:29:12.639 --> 00:29:13.220 the cross 00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:14.059 and to 00:29:14.059 --> 00:29:14.679 take our 00:29:14.679 --> 00:29:15.899 place there. 00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:17.299 And we 00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:18.039 recognise that 00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:18.659 you did it 00:29:18.659 --> 00:29:19.500 knowing everything 00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:20.079 that was going 00:29:20.079 --> 00:29:20.819 to happen to 00:29:20.819 --> 00:29:21.959 you and 00:29:21.959 --> 00:29:22.740 determined to 00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:23.379 do God's 00:29:23.379 --> 00:29:23.659 will. 00:29:24.659 --> 00:29:25.199 That what 00:29:25.199 --> 00:29:25.839 happened was 00:29:25.839 --> 00:29:26.319 not some 00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:26.679 kind of 00:29:26.679 --> 00:29:27.099 accident, 00:29:27.980 --> 00:29:28.819 it was the 00:29:28.819 --> 00:29:29.419 will of God 00:29:29.419 --> 00:29:30.319 being fulfilled, 00:29:30.879 --> 00:29:32.179 albeit through 00:29:32.179 --> 00:29:33.059 sinful men. 00:29:34.059 --> 00:29:34.579 We thank you 00:29:34.579 --> 00:29:35.539 Lord Jesus for 00:29:35.539 --> 00:29:36.039 all that you 00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:36.379 have done 00:29:36.379 --> 00:29:36.940 for us. 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:38.299 Help us to 00:29:38.299 --> 00:29:39.000 trust in you. 00:29:39.779 --> 00:29:40.420 Help us to 00:29:40.420 --> 00:29:40.899 love you. 00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:42.440 Help us to 00:29:42.440 --> 00:29:43.159 worship you. 00:29:44.019 --> 00:29:44.659 Help us to 00:29:44.659 --> 00:29:45.399 live our lives 00:29:45.399 --> 00:29:46.180 for you. 00:29:46.839 --> 00:29:47.240 We thank you 00:29:47.240 --> 00:29:47.659 for our time 00:29:47.659 --> 00:29:48.200 together this 00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:48.460 morning. 00:29:48.579 --> 00:29:48.879 We commit 00:29:48.879 --> 00:29:49.460 ourselves to 00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:49.680 you. 00:29:50.099 --> 00:29:50.619 In Jesus' 00:29:50.819 --> 00:29:50.980 name. 00:29:51.539 --> 00:29:51.839 Amen.