WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.300 You may be seated. 00:00:04.719 --> 00:00:05.560 Good morning. 00:00:07.200 --> 00:00:11.320 My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church, 00:00:11.320 --> 00:00:14.480 and it's my joy to bring God's Word to you today. 00:00:14.919 --> 00:00:18.240 A special welcome if you are new or visiting with us. 00:00:18.280 --> 00:00:23.920 We're glad that you're here, and we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, 00:00:23.920 --> 00:00:26.460 but because we're following Jesus together. 00:00:27.220 --> 00:00:30.719 And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced there's no one so good, 00:00:30.800 --> 00:00:34.399 they don't need God's grace, and no one so bad that they can't have it, 00:00:34.460 --> 00:00:39.939 which is why we come back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in His Word. 00:00:40.859 --> 00:00:43.780 We're continuing our series in the Gospel of Mark. 00:00:43.960 --> 00:00:49.939 We remember that the Gospels tell the story of Jesus and His life and His death and His resurrection, 00:00:49.939 --> 00:00:57.579 and we're moving slowly but surely through the week before Jesus' death and His resurrection, 00:00:57.699 --> 00:00:58.780 His last week here. 00:00:58.899 --> 00:01:04.259 And last week, in particular, we looked at the fact that Jesus was betrayed and abandoned, 00:01:04.500 --> 00:01:08.019 betrayed by Judas and abandoned by His disciples. 00:01:08.219 --> 00:01:10.979 And so at the end, Jesus is all alone. 00:01:12.079 --> 00:01:14.280 We contribute nothing. 00:01:14.680 --> 00:01:16.099 We bring nothing to Him. 00:01:16.140 --> 00:01:17.000 We only receive. 00:01:17.700 --> 00:01:18.959 This week, we're continuing. 00:01:18.959 --> 00:01:25.059 We're going to see just another angle, another piece of Jesus' beauty as He walks towards the cross. 00:01:25.219 --> 00:01:31.119 And this week underscores not that Jesus does it alone, but that He is innocent and willing. 00:01:31.739 --> 00:01:36.560 He's innocent and willing as He walks towards the cross, but He is not toothless. 00:01:37.439 --> 00:01:41.319 And so He's going to tell us what's going to happen after His death. 00:01:41.399 --> 00:01:46.219 He has a warning for those who would put Him to death. 00:01:46.219 --> 00:01:49.620 And so with that, I invite you to turn with me now. 00:01:49.719 --> 00:01:53.959 We're going to be in Mark chapter 14, and we're starting at verse 53. 00:01:54.140 --> 00:01:57.739 And as we turn to God's Word, remember what He tells us about it, 00:01:57.780 --> 00:02:01.180 that His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, 00:02:01.400 --> 00:02:04.799 which means that God has not left us to stumble alone in the dark, 00:02:05.019 --> 00:02:08.819 but instead He's given us His Word to show us the way to go. 00:02:08.819 --> 00:02:12.319 And so that's where we read now, starting at verse 53. 00:02:12.319 --> 00:02:39.180 Verse 56. 00:02:42.319 --> 00:02:59.400 Yet even about this their testimony did not agree. 00:02:59.400 --> 00:03:03.580 And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, 00:03:04.080 --> 00:03:06.060 Have you no answer to make? 00:03:06.659 --> 00:03:09.420 What is it that these men testify against you? 00:03:10.060 --> 00:03:12.480 But he remained silent and made no answer. 00:03:13.400 --> 00:03:14.960 Again the high priest asked him, 00:03:15.480 --> 00:03:18.460 Are you the Christ, the Son of the blessed? 00:03:18.960 --> 00:03:20.140 And Jesus said, 00:03:20.400 --> 00:03:25.080 I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of power 00:03:25.080 --> 00:03:27.719 and coming with the clouds of heaven. 00:03:27.719 --> 00:03:29.900 Verse 63. 00:03:30.280 --> 00:03:32.960 And the high priest tore his garments and said, 00:03:33.199 --> 00:03:35.479 What further witnesses do we need? 00:03:36.060 --> 00:03:37.539 You have heard his blasphemy. 00:03:38.120 --> 00:03:39.500 What is your decision? 00:03:40.039 --> 00:03:42.939 And they all condemned him as deserving death. 00:03:43.620 --> 00:03:47.219 And some began to spit on him and to cover his face 00:03:47.219 --> 00:03:49.079 and to strike him, saying to him, 00:03:49.579 --> 00:03:50.079 Prophesy. 00:03:50.879 --> 00:03:54.060 And the guards received him with blows. 00:03:54.060 --> 00:03:59.140 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:04:01.039 --> 00:04:04.340 Our Father in heaven, we thank you for our Lord Jesus, 00:04:04.580 --> 00:04:08.199 for his sacrifice on our behalf, 00:04:08.319 --> 00:04:10.900 that you do make it just as if we'd never sinned. 00:04:11.520 --> 00:04:13.740 We ask that you would open our eyes this morning, 00:04:13.840 --> 00:04:18.000 that you would help us to see Jesus clearly in this passage, 00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:24.240 that it would not be something we merely consider intellectually or theoretically, 00:04:24.560 --> 00:04:27.439 but you would use it to move our hearts, 00:04:27.500 --> 00:04:30.360 that you'd stir them up with conviction of our sin, 00:04:30.420 --> 00:04:31.540 with love for you, 00:04:32.019 --> 00:04:35.560 as we understand the grace that you offer to us in Christ. 00:04:36.240 --> 00:04:40.000 We know that we can't earn or deserve any of these things. 00:04:40.060 --> 00:04:40.740 We know we don't. 00:04:40.740 --> 00:04:44.740 And so we ask instead that you would simply give them to us 00:04:44.740 --> 00:04:47.040 because we ask them in Jesus' name. 00:04:47.639 --> 00:04:47.939 Amen. 00:04:52.960 --> 00:04:55.660 The action continues from last week. 00:04:55.720 --> 00:04:58.300 You'll remember that Jesus had his arrest. 00:04:59.120 --> 00:05:01.560 And after that, after Judas had betrayed him 00:05:01.560 --> 00:05:04.120 and that his disciples had fled and abandoned him, 00:05:04.300 --> 00:05:07.240 and then there was a young man who even had to leave naked. 00:05:07.240 --> 00:05:10.319 Jesus shows up here immediately, verse 53, 00:05:10.519 --> 00:05:15.120 before the high priest, the chief priest, the elders, and the scribes. 00:05:15.560 --> 00:05:17.519 And this is, we're not told in the passage, 00:05:17.660 --> 00:05:19.920 but this is what we would understand as the Sanhedrin, 00:05:20.019 --> 00:05:22.900 which would be the highest court of the Jewish people. 00:05:23.280 --> 00:05:26.060 It would be similar in some ways to what we would think of 00:05:26.060 --> 00:05:28.480 in our nation today as a supreme court. 00:05:28.759 --> 00:05:31.040 This is the Jewish supreme court. 00:05:31.120 --> 00:05:35.639 And so it's the most serious group of men before whom Jesus might stand. 00:05:35.639 --> 00:05:38.240 Now, as we get into this, it's important to know 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:40.459 that this is not the first trial that we're going to, 00:05:40.500 --> 00:05:42.319 or not the only trial we're going to see. 00:05:42.419 --> 00:05:43.259 It's only the first. 00:05:43.659 --> 00:05:47.360 Jesus is actually going to stand before two different trials. 00:05:47.680 --> 00:05:50.339 He's going to stand first here before the religious leaders, 00:05:50.539 --> 00:05:53.519 and then he's going to stand before the Romans, the civil leaders. 00:05:53.620 --> 00:05:56.019 And there's a very simple reason for that. 00:05:56.379 --> 00:05:59.399 Remember, at the very beginning of chapter 14, verse 1, 00:05:59.479 --> 00:06:02.279 we were told the goal of the religious leaders, 00:06:02.279 --> 00:06:07.819 the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth 00:06:07.819 --> 00:06:09.199 and kill him. 00:06:10.119 --> 00:06:11.639 So they're clear on their goals. 00:06:11.719 --> 00:06:14.859 The problem is they actually don't have the power to make that happen. 00:06:15.259 --> 00:06:18.939 The Sanhedrin has not been given the authority by the Romans 00:06:18.939 --> 00:06:20.099 to put people to death. 00:06:20.339 --> 00:06:22.819 And so they're going to have to jump through a couple hoops here. 00:06:23.159 --> 00:06:25.439 Hoop one is to hold their own trial 00:06:25.439 --> 00:06:29.259 to come up with the accusation they're going to present to the Romans. 00:06:29.259 --> 00:06:32.459 And then they're going to have to move to step two, the Roman trial, 00:06:32.539 --> 00:06:34.680 because that is how they're going to reach their goal. 00:06:35.019 --> 00:06:37.680 That is what is going to result in a death sentence, 00:06:37.800 --> 00:06:41.099 something that they cannot administer on their own. 00:06:41.579 --> 00:06:45.240 And so there's a chess game that's being played here by the religious leaders. 00:06:45.319 --> 00:06:49.779 And in fact, Jesus is going to play into that chess game a bit. 00:06:49.939 --> 00:06:52.219 He also has goals. 00:06:52.939 --> 00:06:55.360 He also has an end state. 00:06:55.360 --> 00:06:57.939 And so that's what we see in verse 53. 00:06:58.100 --> 00:07:00.860 And then verse 54 is simply something to keep in mind 00:07:00.860 --> 00:07:02.060 and remember for next week. 00:07:02.439 --> 00:07:04.040 Peter has not disappeared. 00:07:04.580 --> 00:07:07.980 You'll remember he promised that even if everyone else fell away, 00:07:08.080 --> 00:07:08.680 he would not. 00:07:08.759 --> 00:07:10.860 And so he's trying to keep his promise in a sense, 00:07:11.319 --> 00:07:14.020 even after everyone abandoned Jesus in the last passage, 00:07:14.160 --> 00:07:18.360 apparently Peter has caught up and he is hanging close by. 00:07:19.639 --> 00:07:22.460 Commentators point out one thing that's important to remember 00:07:22.459 --> 00:07:26.319 for next week, and that is that he's warming himself at the fire. 00:07:27.680 --> 00:07:30.199 The importance of the fire has several pieces to it. 00:07:30.259 --> 00:07:33.899 One of them is that his face is extremely visible. 00:07:35.500 --> 00:07:38.199 Peter has put himself in a very bad position 00:07:38.199 --> 00:07:40.199 if he doesn't want to be recognized. 00:07:41.500 --> 00:07:42.479 Okay, hold on to that. 00:07:42.719 --> 00:07:44.919 We'll come back to that next week. 00:07:45.459 --> 00:07:48.199 So Jesus' religious trial is underway, 00:07:48.539 --> 00:07:50.039 and it's a problem though. 00:07:50.040 --> 00:07:54.439 We see in verse 55 that the religious leaders have a purpose, 00:07:55.220 --> 00:07:56.760 and they also have a problem. 00:07:56.879 --> 00:07:58.879 Their purpose is to put Jesus to death. 00:07:59.120 --> 00:08:01.460 They want testimony that's going to help them do that. 00:08:01.760 --> 00:08:07.379 However, run into a problem, but they found none. 00:08:08.540 --> 00:08:09.680 And why do they find none? 00:08:09.759 --> 00:08:13.100 Because they're just surrounded by these false accusations 00:08:13.100 --> 00:08:15.820 in verses 56 to 59. 00:08:16.259 --> 00:08:17.860 The problem with these accusations 00:08:17.860 --> 00:08:20.139 is that the Old Testament law is very specific. 00:08:20.259 --> 00:08:22.699 To put someone to death, to find them guilty of a crime, 00:08:23.020 --> 00:08:26.199 you need to have two or three witnesses. 00:08:27.259 --> 00:08:28.819 It appears that in this situation, 00:08:28.960 --> 00:08:30.120 they have a number of witnesses 00:08:30.120 --> 00:08:32.320 who've been standing by just at the ready 00:08:32.320 --> 00:08:35.720 to step in when they deliver Jesus to have this trial. 00:08:36.039 --> 00:08:37.120 And the problem is though 00:08:37.120 --> 00:08:39.600 that they have not made their testimony agree. 00:08:39.720 --> 00:08:40.960 They haven't gathered beforehand 00:08:40.960 --> 00:08:43.320 to make sure that they're saying the right thing. 00:08:43.320 --> 00:08:47.460 And so no one is able to fully agree with anyone else. 00:08:47.540 --> 00:08:49.540 These witnesses are contradicting each other. 00:08:51.600 --> 00:08:53.720 Numbers 35 and Deuteronomy 17, 00:08:53.940 --> 00:08:55.960 the Old Testament law clarify for us 00:08:55.960 --> 00:08:58.960 that you have to have witnesses that agree. 00:09:00.160 --> 00:09:02.000 You can't just execute someone 00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:05.100 on the testimony of one person. 00:09:05.100 --> 00:09:10.960 Even 57 and 58, this accusation here 00:09:10.960 --> 00:09:12.840 would seem at first glance to be true. 00:09:13.360 --> 00:09:15.379 Verse 58, they say that Jesus said, 00:09:15.480 --> 00:09:17.740 I will destroy this temple that is made with hands. 00:09:18.080 --> 00:09:20.000 And in three days, I will build another, 00:09:20.480 --> 00:09:21.440 not made with hands. 00:09:22.180 --> 00:09:23.279 Now, if you're a student of the Bible, 00:09:23.379 --> 00:09:24.240 you might think to yourself, 00:09:24.320 --> 00:09:26.300 wait, that's a true accusation, right? 00:09:26.879 --> 00:09:29.820 Didn't Jesus say that at some point in the gospels 00:09:29.820 --> 00:09:31.379 that he was gonna destroy the temple 00:09:31.379 --> 00:09:32.899 and rebuild it in three days? 00:09:32.899 --> 00:09:36.819 Well, close, not quite. 00:09:37.779 --> 00:09:40.779 Jesus says something like that in John chapter two, 00:09:40.899 --> 00:09:42.139 but what he says is this, 00:09:42.600 --> 00:09:45.340 destroy this temple and in three days, 00:09:45.419 --> 00:09:46.299 I will raise it up. 00:09:47.059 --> 00:09:50.620 Jesus does not say, I will destroy it. 00:09:51.579 --> 00:09:53.559 He just says, you destroy it, destroy it, 00:09:53.579 --> 00:09:54.559 and I'll build it back up. 00:09:55.159 --> 00:09:59.360 So even that, they are not able to trap Jesus. 00:10:01.159 --> 00:10:02.340 Question though is this, 00:10:02.899 --> 00:10:05.879 why do we need to know all this? 00:10:07.220 --> 00:10:10.620 We have, you know, a couple chapters in the gospel 00:10:10.620 --> 00:10:14.000 that talk about Jesus last week before his death. 00:10:14.759 --> 00:10:16.519 And there could have been a whole book that was written, 00:10:16.899 --> 00:10:20.579 which tells us that the details that are included 00:10:20.579 --> 00:10:21.779 bear importance for us. 00:10:21.819 --> 00:10:23.799 There's something that we're meant to gather 00:10:23.799 --> 00:10:24.919 from each of these stories. 00:10:25.019 --> 00:10:27.779 There's a reason that Mark included these details 00:10:27.779 --> 00:10:28.779 and not other details. 00:10:28.779 --> 00:10:31.259 There's reasons that he said what he said here, 00:10:31.299 --> 00:10:32.899 and there's perhaps other testimony 00:10:32.899 --> 00:10:35.079 that doesn't make it into the gospel. 00:10:36.299 --> 00:10:38.019 And so that's the question we've been asking. 00:10:38.139 --> 00:10:40.220 We're going to continue to ask with all of these stories 00:10:40.220 --> 00:10:42.419 leading up to Jesus' death and resurrection. 00:10:42.659 --> 00:10:46.379 Why do we need to know these things about this trial? 00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:51.019 And the answer is surprisingly simple. 00:10:52.840 --> 00:10:55.980 We need to know that Jesus is innocent. 00:10:58.080 --> 00:11:02.700 We need to see false accusations brought against him 00:11:02.700 --> 00:11:06.439 so we know that he was not put to death 00:11:06.439 --> 00:11:08.759 for any legitimate cause. 00:11:09.460 --> 00:11:10.080 Why? 00:11:10.080 --> 00:11:16.000 Jesus had to be innocent to save us. 00:11:17.700 --> 00:11:19.720 Jesus had to be innocent to save us 00:11:19.720 --> 00:11:21.560 because if he were found guilty, 00:11:22.040 --> 00:11:24.200 if he were found guilty of a legitimate offense, 00:11:24.259 --> 00:11:24.960 what would he be doing? 00:11:25.060 --> 00:11:26.759 He would be dying for himself. 00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:32.180 And so it's critical for Mark to show us 00:11:32.180 --> 00:11:34.300 the details of this trial 00:11:34.300 --> 00:11:36.660 and the disagreement of the witnesses 00:11:36.659 --> 00:11:39.959 to put into the spotlight for us 00:11:39.959 --> 00:11:42.039 how innocent Jesus is, 00:11:42.519 --> 00:11:46.139 how falsely accused he is. 00:11:47.159 --> 00:11:49.799 Reminding us of the very simple logic of the gospel, 00:11:50.299 --> 00:11:53.339 the innocent dies for the guilty. 00:11:55.100 --> 00:11:57.779 The innocent dies for the guilty. 00:11:57.919 --> 00:11:59.579 That is the logic of the gospel, 00:11:59.899 --> 00:12:03.779 and it's also the scandal of the gospel. 00:12:06.659 --> 00:12:11.860 If you find the gospel, 00:12:12.860 --> 00:12:19.639 if you find these stories boring or irrelevant or old hat, 00:12:20.199 --> 00:12:22.639 the reason is this. 00:12:24.100 --> 00:12:26.799 You don't believe you're so guilty 00:12:26.799 --> 00:12:29.860 you need an innocent man to die for you. 00:12:29.860 --> 00:12:37.440 If you find these stories or the gospel boring or irrelevant or old hat, 00:12:37.620 --> 00:12:41.940 it is because you do not believe deep down 00:12:41.940 --> 00:12:46.740 that things are so bad that an innocent man had to die. 00:12:49.539 --> 00:12:51.039 Yeah, Mark here is reminding us, 00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:53.659 no, things actually are that bad. 00:12:53.659 --> 00:12:57.799 That is actually what you need. 00:12:58.980 --> 00:13:05.279 This is how deeply broken and sinful and rebellious the world is. 00:13:05.959 --> 00:13:10.139 An innocent man had to be condemned as guilty. 00:13:13.299 --> 00:13:18.899 And so this story is here to remind us of a simple but profound truth. 00:13:20.299 --> 00:13:21.839 Things are that bad. 00:13:21.840 --> 00:13:24.560 We are that bad. 00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:28.980 The world is this sinful and rebellious. 00:13:30.180 --> 00:13:35.700 Nothing less than the death of an innocent man would do. 00:13:35.700 --> 00:13:38.600 And so, 00:13:39.160 --> 00:13:45.820 if you are always the hero of the story and never the villain, 00:13:46.480 --> 00:13:50.680 if you have got it all figured out 00:13:50.680 --> 00:13:53.940 and you're just waiting for everyone else to catch up with you, 00:13:54.660 --> 00:13:58.680 if you have lots of questions, 00:13:59.300 --> 00:13:59.660 excuse me, 00:13:59.720 --> 00:14:00.580 lots of answers, 00:14:00.720 --> 00:14:01.820 but zero questions, 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:04.500 lots of success, 00:14:04.500 --> 00:14:06.759 and no betrayal, 00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:12.519 the gospel will not be relevant to you. 00:14:14.860 --> 00:14:17.919 The church might be a place of duty 00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:20.460 and pride and identity, 00:14:21.039 --> 00:14:26.080 but it will not be a place of love and joy and affection. 00:14:26.080 --> 00:14:32.240 The church might be a place of duty, 00:14:32.240 --> 00:14:32.940 of pride, 00:14:32.940 --> 00:14:34.520 of identity, 00:14:34.520 --> 00:14:38.740 but it will not be one of love and joy and affection. 00:14:38.740 --> 00:14:46.779 We have a rule in our society when it comes to the death of someone, 00:14:46.899 --> 00:14:48.639 especially the death of someone famous. 00:14:48.639 --> 00:14:49.019 That is, 00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:51.419 in the weeks following their death, 00:14:51.460 --> 00:14:54.120 what is it that you are not allowed to do? 00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:59.840 You're not allowed to say anything mean about that person. 00:15:00.700 --> 00:15:00.860 Okay? 00:15:01.159 --> 00:15:02.860 The weeks following someone's death, 00:15:02.860 --> 00:15:05.139 you can only speak well of them. 00:15:05.220 --> 00:15:06.820 If you want to trash them, 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:08.940 you need to wait one month, 00:15:09.080 --> 00:15:10.399 two months at least, 00:15:10.460 --> 00:15:10.700 right? 00:15:11.779 --> 00:15:12.220 Now, 00:15:12.300 --> 00:15:14.360 this rule is disappearing a little bit, 00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:14.899 I've been told, 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:17.820 as Christianity is struggling in the West. 00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:19.120 This is less and less true, 00:15:19.180 --> 00:15:20.560 but it's still a rule that's in place. 00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:20.879 Okay? 00:15:21.399 --> 00:15:22.539 In our denomination, 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:24.039 our Presbyterian church, 00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:24.800 you might be aware, 00:15:24.919 --> 00:15:27.480 we had two titans of the church 00:15:27.480 --> 00:15:28.940 die this past week 00:15:28.940 --> 00:15:30.639 within 24 hours of each other. 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:33.240 And what is everyone saying about them? 00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:34.919 Wonderful, 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:35.740 glorious, 00:15:36.080 --> 00:15:36.860 beautiful things, 00:15:36.919 --> 00:15:37.120 right? 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:39.879 People who disagreed with them, 00:15:39.939 --> 00:15:41.639 who were their enemies and opponents, 00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:44.960 are posting these tributes about how wonderful these people are. 00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:46.559 Why? 00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:47.960 Because you don't dishonor the dead, 00:15:48.019 --> 00:15:48.220 right? 00:15:48.340 --> 00:15:50.720 You don't speak ill of them. 00:15:51.779 --> 00:15:53.460 Why is that the rule, 00:15:53.559 --> 00:15:53.779 though? 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:55.159 What does that rule imply? 00:15:56.299 --> 00:15:59.500 The rule implies there are nasty things you could say, 00:16:00.279 --> 00:16:00.559 right? 00:16:01.419 --> 00:16:02.879 The rule's a reminder, 00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:07.059 all of us are a spotted record. 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:08.259 As one person has put it, 00:16:08.439 --> 00:16:11.039 everyone has a rap sheet. 00:16:13.179 --> 00:16:16.899 The rule implies there are things you could say about someone to tear them down. 00:16:17.159 --> 00:16:21.659 There are criticisms you could make of every man and every woman. 00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:24.419 You can read these glorious tributes of these men 00:16:24.419 --> 00:16:26.080 and also know the truth. 00:16:26.080 --> 00:16:27.460 They have been faithful, 00:16:28.039 --> 00:16:29.819 and they also had great failure. 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:41.340 All of us have lives that have the stains of failure and offense and betrayal. 00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:45.960 In fact, Peter is going to show us next week his catastrophic failure. 00:16:45.960 --> 00:16:51.879 All of us have our Peter moments. 00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:56.439 I had a friend whose daughter was getting married, 00:16:57.340 --> 00:17:01.059 and he kind of described her future husband to me this way. 00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:02.519 He said, you know, he's a really good guy. 00:17:02.580 --> 00:17:03.159 I like him a lot. 00:17:03.259 --> 00:17:04.319 I mean, you know, 00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:06.480 he's had his conversations with the devil. 00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:09.380 We've all had our conversations with the devil. 00:17:09.380 --> 00:17:12.460 And I've never forgotten that. 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:15.520 Because I thought, what a great description of humanity, right? 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:21.560 Even the people we would describe as good, upright, outstanding citizens. 00:17:22.520 --> 00:17:26.240 We have all had conversations with the devil. 00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:32.640 We all have lives that are spotted with the stains of failure and betrayal. 00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:36.120 I tell you those two stories, 00:17:36.120 --> 00:17:38.780 and I bring all this up to say one simple thing. 00:17:39.800 --> 00:17:43.220 There's only one type of person in this world. 00:17:45.620 --> 00:17:50.740 And that type of person is the person who needs the death of an innocent man. 00:17:53.120 --> 00:17:55.160 That's true of you, 00:17:55.360 --> 00:17:58.080 and it's true of me. 00:17:58.079 --> 00:18:03.480 There's a reason that we confess our sin together every week in our worship service. 00:18:04.519 --> 00:18:05.939 It's because we need it, 00:18:06.419 --> 00:18:08.559 and it's also because it's true. 00:18:09.859 --> 00:18:15.740 We're people every week who come with failure and sin and betrayal. 00:18:16.899 --> 00:18:19.059 And we do it with hope and confidence, right? 00:18:20.119 --> 00:18:24.799 We do it with hope and confidence because we know that there's forgiveness and a Savior. 00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:29.039 You'll remember 1 Timothy 2, verse 15, 00:18:29.119 --> 00:18:30.279 I mentioned from time to time, 00:18:30.339 --> 00:18:31.740 where the apostle Paul says this, 00:18:32.159 --> 00:18:34.139 I'm the chief of sinners. 00:18:35.099 --> 00:18:37.200 And he writes this near the end of his life. 00:18:37.259 --> 00:18:40.019 It's one of the last letters that Paul writes 00:18:40.019 --> 00:18:42.220 when he tells this to Timothy. 00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:43.440 Why? 00:18:45.099 --> 00:18:46.960 Because as Paul has grown, 00:18:47.119 --> 00:18:49.000 as he's this great apostle of the church, 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:50.460 as he's continued in his life, 00:18:50.460 --> 00:18:55.620 he never believes he has reached a point where he is finished with sin. 00:18:56.920 --> 00:19:02.860 No, he still needs an innocent man to die. 00:19:07.980 --> 00:19:10.059 That's the scandal of the gospel. 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:17.100 Scandal of the gospel is that many good people will not make it, 00:19:17.099 --> 00:19:20.899 and many bad people will 00:19:20.899 --> 00:19:24.379 because there's only one type of person, 00:19:24.879 --> 00:19:29.399 a person who needs Jesus to die. 00:19:33.339 --> 00:19:36.839 This passage doesn't simply remind us, though, of Jesus' innocence. 00:19:36.839 --> 00:19:41.719 It's also another display of his great love. 00:19:43.119 --> 00:19:46.439 The religious leaders are playing a chess game, as I mentioned, 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:49.880 but Jesus is playing a chess game, as well. 00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:51.779 Verses 60 and 61, 00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:55.160 the high priest, in frustration, asks Jesus this, 00:19:55.440 --> 00:19:57.900 have you no answer to make? 00:19:58.600 --> 00:20:01.039 Which raises an important question for us, as well. 00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:03.259 Why doesn't Jesus respond? 00:20:04.660 --> 00:20:08.559 We've seen Jesus over and over in the gospels 00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:12.320 come back with these devastating one-liners, right? 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:15.700 No matter what question they brought to him, 00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:17.899 he was able to defeat it. 00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:20.679 No matter what accusation had occurred, 00:20:21.059 --> 00:20:22.759 Jesus would come out on top. 00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:25.519 Jesus' verbal skills were better than theirs. 00:20:25.659 --> 00:20:27.460 His logic was stronger. 00:20:28.419 --> 00:20:30.119 And so why, in this situation, 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:33.539 does Jesus choose to remain silent? 00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:37.399 We know he's capable of defending himself. 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:39.779 He could have stood up and said, 00:20:39.879 --> 00:20:41.480 look, I don't need to say anything. 00:20:41.599 --> 00:20:43.019 Look how ridiculous this is. 00:20:44.420 --> 00:20:46.539 And yet he remains silent. 00:20:47.420 --> 00:20:47.779 Why? 00:20:50.899 --> 00:20:54.379 Some say that's Jesus' way of saying that he's innocent, 00:20:54.879 --> 00:20:58.920 that these accusations are not worth responding to. 00:20:58.920 --> 00:21:04.400 I think we have to admit that it's also telling us 00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:06.140 that Jesus is willing. 00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:10.960 Jesus is willing to be sentenced to death. 00:21:12.420 --> 00:21:13.580 In fact, there's an irony here, 00:21:13.640 --> 00:21:15.120 which is that Jesus and these men, 00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:17.140 at least in the short term, want the same thing. 00:21:18.100 --> 00:21:20.380 Their goal is to put Jesus to death. 00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:24.240 Jesus' goal is to die for the sins of his people. 00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:28.500 And so why would he stop his enemy 00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:30.059 when they're succeeding? 00:21:32.579 --> 00:21:34.779 There's an old line that says, 00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:36.240 never get in the way of your enemy 00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:38.160 when they're making a mistake. 00:21:39.460 --> 00:21:42.240 And Jesus does the same thing here. 00:21:42.339 --> 00:21:43.900 He doesn't get in their way 00:21:43.900 --> 00:21:45.779 when they're making a mistake. 00:21:46.640 --> 00:21:48.460 He remains silent. 00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:50.359 Why would he defend himself? 00:21:50.940 --> 00:21:52.460 Why would he try to get free? 00:21:52.460 --> 00:21:56.440 No, Jesus once again is showing his willingness 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:59.000 to head to the cross. 00:22:00.059 --> 00:22:01.620 And so we've seen it in previous weeks. 00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:02.299 We'll see it again. 00:22:02.380 --> 00:22:03.779 We've seen it over and over. 00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:06.920 Jesus is choosing to die. 00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:12.799 Jesus chooses to go to the cross. 00:22:13.620 --> 00:22:16.259 Jesus chooses not to defend himself. 00:22:16.840 --> 00:22:20.759 Jesus allows himself to be sentenced to death. 00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:22.940 This was not an accident. 00:22:24.460 --> 00:22:26.740 Jesus didn't stumble into this. 00:22:27.940 --> 00:22:29.879 He didn't find himself in a courtroom 00:22:29.879 --> 00:22:31.059 not knowing what to do. 00:22:31.140 --> 00:22:34.579 No, this was the plan all along. 00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:40.660 There's a quote on the back of your worship guide 00:22:40.660 --> 00:22:43.259 from John Calvin, which basically says this, 00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:47.779 Jesus was mute then so that we can speak to Jesus, 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:48.700 to God now. 00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:54.400 He was mute then so he can intercede for us now. 00:22:56.019 --> 00:23:00.660 Jesus remained silent then so that he could later speak 00:23:00.660 --> 00:23:03.140 to God the Father on our behalf. 00:23:04.420 --> 00:23:05.799 Jesus was silent. 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:08.720 And because he was silent, 00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:13.019 Scott prayed for us earlier this morning in the service. 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:16.180 And because Jesus was silent then, 00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:22.200 he interceded and intercedes for us on our behalf. 00:23:22.200 --> 00:23:29.400 Jesus remained silent so that God could hear us now. 00:23:34.319 --> 00:23:39.140 And so we see crystal clearly Jesus' love for us. 00:23:39.700 --> 00:23:41.720 Romans chapter five reminds us of this. 00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:44.580 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person, 00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:46.000 though perhaps for a good person, 00:23:46.080 --> 00:23:47.460 one would dare even to die. 00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:50.259 But God chose his love for us 00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:51.779 and that while we were still sinners, 00:23:52.620 --> 00:23:54.960 Christ died for us. 00:23:58.920 --> 00:24:00.400 Brothers and sisters, 00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:04.700 either you believe that you need his death 00:24:04.700 --> 00:24:07.400 or you believe you don't. 00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:11.880 It is that simple. 00:24:13.860 --> 00:24:16.519 There's no complicated secrets for me 00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:19.299 to reveal to you in this passage. 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:21.339 It's the simple, 00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:23.099 offensive, 00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:26.200 counterintuitive message of the gospel. 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:30.160 The message that there's not two kinds of people 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:30.740 or three, 00:24:31.359 --> 00:24:32.460 there's one. 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:35.279 The person who needs Jesus to die. 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:38.500 Either you recognize that 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:39.960 and admit it or you don't. 00:24:40.740 --> 00:24:42.819 Either you follow Jesus 00:24:42.819 --> 00:24:45.139 or you don't. 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:48.559 Those are two 00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:51.139 and the only two options. 00:24:52.359 --> 00:24:54.960 Mark does not leave open the door 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:57.500 for merely an intellectual exercise. 00:24:58.240 --> 00:25:00.660 No, he presents this question over and over. 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:03.359 Remember, especially in chapters one through eight 00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:04.500 of who is Jesus? 00:25:04.639 --> 00:25:05.839 That's the question that we asked 00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:08.240 over and over again. 00:25:09.259 --> 00:25:10.400 And Jesus finally, 00:25:10.879 --> 00:25:12.619 finally in chapter 14, 00:25:12.619 --> 00:25:15.459 gives his own answer. 00:25:16.379 --> 00:25:17.959 And his own answer reminds us 00:25:17.959 --> 00:25:21.199 of the urgency of following Jesus 00:25:21.199 --> 00:25:24.879 because the day of judgment is coming. 00:25:25.859 --> 00:25:28.259 And that's what Jesus goes on to see, 00:25:28.579 --> 00:25:29.299 to say. 00:25:30.179 --> 00:25:31.759 Remember verse 55, 00:25:31.879 --> 00:25:34.739 I told you they had a purpose and a problem. 00:25:34.859 --> 00:25:36.419 Their purpose was to get testimony 00:25:36.419 --> 00:25:37.639 to put Jesus to death. 00:25:37.979 --> 00:25:39.399 Problem was they couldn't find any. 00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:43.220 Jesus here solves their problem for them. 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:44.780 Verse 61, 00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:47.460 he remained silent and made no answer. 00:25:47.620 --> 00:25:49.019 Again, the high priest asked him, 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:50.259 are you the Christ, 00:25:50.620 --> 00:25:52.340 the son of the blessed? 00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:55.700 In the past, 00:25:55.780 --> 00:25:56.940 we would have expected Jesus 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:58.320 to dodge this question. 00:25:58.920 --> 00:26:00.500 Remember, he would perform a healing 00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:01.340 and then he would say, 00:26:01.540 --> 00:26:02.800 don't tell anyone about this. 00:26:03.280 --> 00:26:04.640 Don't tell anyone who I am. 00:26:05.080 --> 00:26:06.840 But here he doesn't hide it. 00:26:06.839 --> 00:26:08.159 Verse 62, 00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:11.539 I am and you will see the son of man 00:26:11.539 --> 00:26:13.299 seated at the right hand of power 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:16.740 and coming with the clouds of heaven. 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:23.079 And the high priest understands Jesus' meaning 00:26:23.079 --> 00:26:24.480 all too well. 00:26:24.619 --> 00:26:25.319 Verse 63, 00:26:26.179 --> 00:26:27.439 tore his garments and said, 00:26:27.679 --> 00:26:30.299 what further witnesses do we need? 00:26:30.599 --> 00:26:32.480 You have heard his blasphemy. 00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:34.119 What is your decision? 00:26:34.859 --> 00:26:36.519 And what is Jesus' blasphemy here? 00:26:37.579 --> 00:26:39.099 Jesus is saying, 00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:39.720 yes, 00:26:40.359 --> 00:26:42.579 I am God. 00:26:43.079 --> 00:26:43.519 Yes, 00:26:43.579 --> 00:26:44.740 I am the son of God. 00:26:44.859 --> 00:26:46.199 Even more than that, 00:26:46.439 --> 00:26:47.299 he makes allusions 00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:48.980 to two Old Testament passages. 00:26:49.139 --> 00:26:50.899 He alludes to Daniel chapter 7 00:26:50.899 --> 00:26:52.759 and Psalm 110, 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:54.519 which both drive home 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.819 at the same point. 00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:57.099 This is on verse 7 00:26:57.099 --> 00:26:58.059 of your worship guide. 00:26:59.199 --> 00:27:00.279 In both of these, 00:27:00.359 --> 00:27:02.439 the Messiah comes as a judge. 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:03.319 Therefore, 00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:04.859 by replying as he does, 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:05.759 Jesus is saying, 00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:07.119 I will come to the earth 00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:08.980 in the very glory of God 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:12.220 and judge the entire world. 00:27:14.180 --> 00:27:16.420 Jesus comes in his first coming 00:27:16.420 --> 00:27:18.240 to receive judgment. 00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:20.700 That's why he remains silent here. 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:22.700 But he is reminding us 00:27:22.700 --> 00:27:23.819 and these religious leaders 00:27:23.819 --> 00:27:25.900 that he comes in his second coming 00:27:25.900 --> 00:27:28.099 to bring judgment. 00:27:28.920 --> 00:27:30.420 Jesus is a sacrifice, 00:27:30.420 --> 00:27:32.500 but he is neither powerless 00:27:32.500 --> 00:27:34.259 nor helpless. 00:27:34.600 --> 00:27:36.279 He is going to play their game 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:37.100 for a time 00:27:37.100 --> 00:27:39.259 to achieve his ends, 00:27:39.380 --> 00:27:41.779 but the tables will be turned. 00:27:42.080 --> 00:27:45.060 The fortunes will be reversed. 00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:48.000 The man who sits right now 00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:48.819 in this trial 00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:50.440 and is judged 00:27:50.440 --> 00:27:53.759 will come one day 00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:55.879 as the judge. 00:27:57.940 --> 00:28:00.119 The man who sits in this trial 00:28:00.119 --> 00:28:01.259 and is judged 00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:03.000 will come one day 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:04.460 and be judged. 00:28:04.819 --> 00:28:06.419 Yes, Jesus is gentle 00:28:06.419 --> 00:28:07.659 and lowly in heart, 00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:09.259 and he is coming 00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:10.720 to judge the world 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:12.240 and bring an end 00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:14.140 to all evil. 00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:19.620 Jesus and the religious leaders 00:28:19.620 --> 00:28:21.000 want the same thing, 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:22.019 his death, 00:28:22.140 --> 00:28:23.980 only for a time. 00:28:24.140 --> 00:28:27.200 Jesus has a long-term plan. 00:28:28.920 --> 00:28:30.339 Yes, he is going to die 00:28:30.339 --> 00:28:31.140 for his people, 00:28:31.380 --> 00:28:32.599 and yes, 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:34.200 he is coming back 00:28:34.200 --> 00:28:36.160 as the judge. 00:28:37.579 --> 00:28:39.599 A day that will be wonderful 00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:42.279 for those who follow him 00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:43.159 and terrible 00:28:43.159 --> 00:28:45.639 for those who do not. 00:28:48.439 --> 00:28:49.419 John chapter 5 00:28:49.419 --> 00:28:50.319 tells us a little bit 00:28:50.319 --> 00:28:51.159 about what this day 00:28:51.159 --> 00:28:51.799 will be like. 00:28:52.939 --> 00:28:54.039 Jesus says this 00:28:54.039 --> 00:28:55.059 in John chapter 5, 00:28:55.159 --> 00:28:56.179 Do not marvel at this, 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:57.179 for an hour is coming 00:28:57.179 --> 00:28:58.659 when all who are in the tombs 00:28:58.659 --> 00:28:59.639 will hear his voice 00:28:59.639 --> 00:29:00.819 and come out, 00:29:01.159 --> 00:29:02.419 those who have done good 00:29:02.419 --> 00:29:03.839 to the resurrection of life 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:05.459 and those who have done evil 00:29:05.459 --> 00:29:06.339 to the resurrection 00:29:06.339 --> 00:29:07.740 of judgment. 00:29:07.740 --> 00:29:07.920 judgment. 00:29:11.420 --> 00:29:12.680 Which resurrection 00:29:12.680 --> 00:29:16.380 will you experience? 00:29:18.380 --> 00:29:20.620 The resurrection of life 00:29:20.620 --> 00:29:23.299 or the resurrection 00:29:23.299 --> 00:29:24.759 of judgment? 00:29:26.059 --> 00:29:28.019 The resurrection of life 00:29:28.019 --> 00:29:30.980 is not for those 00:29:30.980 --> 00:29:33.480 who have done enough good. 00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:37.819 The resurrection of life 00:29:37.819 --> 00:29:38.559 is for 00:29:38.559 --> 00:29:40.420 and is only for 00:29:40.420 --> 00:29:42.140 those who know 00:29:42.140 --> 00:29:43.660 they're so bad 00:29:43.660 --> 00:29:46.200 that they need 00:29:46.200 --> 00:29:47.539 an innocent man 00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:48.700 to die 00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:49.779 for them. 00:29:52.000 --> 00:29:53.120 The resurrection 00:29:53.120 --> 00:29:54.180 of life 00:29:54.180 --> 00:29:55.539 is for those 00:29:55.539 --> 00:29:56.039 who are able 00:29:56.039 --> 00:29:56.640 to sing 00:29:56.640 --> 00:29:58.660 In Christ alone 00:29:58.660 --> 00:30:00.079 my hope 00:30:00.079 --> 00:30:01.299 is found. 00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:04.200 Let that be our hope 00:30:04.200 --> 00:30:05.059 as well. 00:30:05.559 --> 00:30:06.000 Let's pray. 00:30:07.399 --> 00:30:08.579 Our Father in Heaven 00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:10.059 we praise you 00:30:10.059 --> 00:30:10.680 and thank you 00:30:10.680 --> 00:30:11.259 that you 00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:13.240 give us 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:14.460 your word 00:30:14.460 --> 00:30:15.619 about your son 00:30:15.619 --> 00:30:16.980 that you remind us 00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:18.000 of our great need 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:18.779 and his innocence 00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:20.659 and your grace 00:30:20.659 --> 00:30:21.259 to us 00:30:21.259 --> 00:30:22.879 that he goes 00:30:22.879 --> 00:30:23.659 out of his love 00:30:23.659 --> 00:30:24.359 to the cross 00:30:24.359 --> 00:30:25.200 for us 00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:26.700 that he takes 00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:27.220 the punishment 00:30:27.220 --> 00:30:27.980 we deserve 00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:29.039 so that we could have 00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:29.700 his life. 00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:30.400 We ask that you 00:30:30.400 --> 00:30:31.759 would stir up 00:30:31.759 --> 00:30:32.240 that truth 00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:32.819 in our hearts 00:30:32.819 --> 00:30:33.360 that we would 00:30:33.360 --> 00:30:34.680 embrace Christ 00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:35.559 more and more 00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:36.920 that we would 00:30:36.920 --> 00:30:38.019 admit our need 00:30:38.019 --> 00:30:39.360 and look forward 00:30:39.360 --> 00:30:39.980 to the resurrection 00:30:39.980 --> 00:30:40.580 of life. 00:30:40.860 --> 00:30:41.779 We ask all these 00:30:41.779 --> 00:30:42.519 things in the mighty 00:30:42.519 --> 00:30:43.660 name of Jesus Christ. 00:30:44.019 --> 00:30:44.319 Amen. 00:30:44.319 --> 00:30:44.480 Amen. 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:44.519 Amen. 00:30:44.519 --> 00:30:44.580 Amen.