WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.940 So Mark chapter 15, we're going to read from verse 1 to verse 20. 00:00:05.299 --> 00:00:08.939 Last week we looked at Jesus' trial before the Jewish religious leaders. 00:00:08.939 --> 00:00:13.580 This time here is Jesus before the Roman governor Pilate. 00:00:14.019 --> 00:00:16.480 Let's hear the word of God together. 00:00:18.500 --> 00:00:22.440 Very early in the morning, the chief priests with the elders, 00:00:22.620 --> 00:00:25.519 the teachers of the law, and the whole Sanhedrin reached a decision. 00:00:25.519 --> 00:00:31.179 They bound Jesus, led him away, and turned him over to Pilate. 00:00:31.879 --> 00:00:34.519 Are you the king of the Jews? asked Pilate. 00:00:35.000 --> 00:00:37.799 Yes, it is as you say, Jesus replied. 00:00:38.480 --> 00:00:41.159 The chief priests accused him of many things. 00:00:41.820 --> 00:00:45.320 So again Pilate asked him, aren't you going to answer? 00:00:45.939 --> 00:00:48.399 See how many things they are accusing you of. 00:00:49.359 --> 00:00:53.799 But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed. 00:00:53.799 --> 00:00:59.559 Now it was the custom at the feast to release a prisoner whom the people requested. 00:01:00.359 --> 00:01:03.759 A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists 00:01:03.759 --> 00:01:06.099 who had committed murder in the uprising. 00:01:06.739 --> 00:01:10.799 The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did. 00:01:11.799 --> 00:01:15.000 Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews? asked Pilate, 00:01:15.599 --> 00:01:19.659 knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. 00:01:19.659 --> 00:01:24.899 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. 00:01:26.019 --> 00:01:29.799 What shall I do then with the one you call the king of the Jews? 00:01:29.899 --> 00:01:30.719 Pilate asked them. 00:01:31.620 --> 00:01:33.500 Crucify him, they shouted. 00:01:34.179 --> 00:01:34.679 Why? 00:01:35.219 --> 00:01:37.859 What crime has he committed? asked Pilate. 00:01:38.280 --> 00:01:41.900 But they shouted all the louder, crucify him. 00:01:41.900 --> 00:01:47.880 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. 00:01:48.500 --> 00:01:52.860 He had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified. 00:01:53.920 --> 00:01:58.620 The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace, that is the praetorium, 00:01:58.920 --> 00:02:02.340 and called together the whole company of soldiers. 00:02:02.340 --> 00:02:09.319 They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. 00:02:09.819 --> 00:02:12.000 And they began to call out to him, 00:02:12.500 --> 00:02:14.500 Hail, king of the Jews. 00:02:15.120 --> 00:02:20.879 Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spat on him. 00:02:21.939 --> 00:02:24.580 Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. 00:02:24.580 --> 00:02:31.720 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. 00:02:32.200 --> 00:02:35.720 Then they led him out to crucify him. 00:02:36.520 --> 00:02:37.120 Amen. 00:02:38.080 --> 00:02:41.439 Let's think about the first 20 verses there. 00:02:42.280 --> 00:02:48.140 As we look again at this, now the second trial that Jesus undergoes. 00:02:48.139 --> 00:02:54.979 As we see Jesus being rejected as king in this section. 00:02:56.379 --> 00:03:03.099 There is a saying that goes along the lines that we need to learn from history, 00:03:03.799 --> 00:03:08.599 or we will simply repeat its mistakes. 00:03:09.659 --> 00:03:15.759 And I think it's important for us as we focus on this second trial scene, 00:03:15.759 --> 00:03:20.659 as we look at Jesus now on trial as king of the Jews. 00:03:21.259 --> 00:03:25.159 So the Jewish religious leaders had tried him in the religious court 00:03:25.159 --> 00:03:28.000 in order to find him guilty of blasphemy. 00:03:28.620 --> 00:03:33.379 But they knew that a Roman court would never convict a person to die for blasphemy. 00:03:33.500 --> 00:03:37.219 So they're charging Jesus with claiming to be king of the Jews. 00:03:37.620 --> 00:03:41.299 They want Pilate to find him guilty of treason against Caesar. 00:03:41.300 --> 00:03:51.640 It's important for us to recognize that while in some ways Pilate and the soldiers are very different from us, 00:03:52.700 --> 00:03:56.700 they are also guilty of mistakes that we ourselves can make. 00:03:57.300 --> 00:04:04.840 As we find Jesus being subjected to more injustice, as we see him face dishonor, 00:04:04.840 --> 00:04:09.400 it's important for us to see that these figures, these stories, 00:04:10.120 --> 00:04:12.240 can and should in a way serve as mirrors, 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:15.740 exposing our own hearts and lives, 00:04:15.860 --> 00:04:20.959 causing us to reflect on how we respond to Jesus. 00:04:21.639 --> 00:04:23.660 So we're going to think about Pilate. 00:04:23.759 --> 00:04:25.319 We're going to think about the Roman soldiers. 00:04:25.459 --> 00:04:26.899 We're going to think about Barabbas. 00:04:27.399 --> 00:04:30.860 We're going to think about how did Jesus impact their lives? 00:04:30.860 --> 00:04:33.360 How do they react to Jesus? 00:04:34.660 --> 00:04:37.379 And in what ways, if any, am I like them? 00:04:38.560 --> 00:04:40.259 How should I pray for myself? 00:04:40.580 --> 00:04:43.480 How should I pray for others in light of these character traits? 00:04:43.580 --> 00:04:49.600 What difference will it make to see our own hearts being revealed in this story? 00:04:50.699 --> 00:04:53.819 So let's look at these characters and let's see what we can learn, 00:04:53.960 --> 00:04:57.580 beginning with Pilate, who is the Roman governor. 00:04:57.579 --> 00:05:08.240 Now, I think Mark wants us to understand that Pilate doesn't believe Jesus is worthy of death. 00:05:08.279 --> 00:05:12.919 He believes Jesus is innocent of this charge that's brought against him. 00:05:13.759 --> 00:05:15.459 Well, let's see how this plays out. 00:05:15.560 --> 00:05:21.860 So in verse 1, the religious leaders of the Jews bring Jesus to Pilate. 00:05:21.860 --> 00:05:27.620 And they've obviously told Pilate that he is claiming to be the king of the Jews. 00:05:28.300 --> 00:05:32.020 And so Pilate asks Jesus the question, are you the king of the Jews? 00:05:32.480 --> 00:05:34.060 Yes, it is as you say. 00:05:34.699 --> 00:05:39.139 One of the interesting things about this trial, same as with the religious trial, 00:05:39.699 --> 00:05:41.220 is the silence of Jesus. 00:05:42.379 --> 00:05:45.180 And see there in verse 4, 00:05:45.180 --> 00:05:52.000 Pilate is struck by the fact that Jesus remains silent despite the many accusations being brought 00:05:52.000 --> 00:05:54.600 by the Jewish religious leaders. 00:05:55.220 --> 00:06:02.100 Pilate is not used in his courtroom to see someone with this level of composure and dignity 00:06:02.100 --> 00:06:05.460 when they're on trial for their lives. 00:06:05.720 --> 00:06:09.379 But this is Jesus fulfilling his role as the suffering servant. 00:06:09.579 --> 00:06:14.100 In Isaiah 53, we're told that Jesus would suffer silently. 00:06:14.100 --> 00:06:16.280 And we see this here. 00:06:17.640 --> 00:06:20.960 So here is Jesus before Pilate. 00:06:21.400 --> 00:06:25.879 Pilate, we're told in verse 5, is amazed by Jesus. 00:06:27.220 --> 00:06:29.379 And it seems that from the beginning, 00:06:29.980 --> 00:06:35.960 Pilate wants to find a way to not have to try or sentence Jesus. 00:06:36.540 --> 00:06:40.360 And so we're introduced to this custom in verse 6. 00:06:40.360 --> 00:06:45.939 It was the custom at the feast, that's the Passover feast, 00:06:46.220 --> 00:06:49.780 to release a prisoner whom the people requested. 00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:52.220 So the Romans are now in charge over Israel. 00:06:53.259 --> 00:06:56.759 But they have set this law where once a year at the Passover, 00:06:56.960 --> 00:07:01.340 time of great national celebration, a prisoner can be set free. 00:07:01.339 --> 00:07:11.639 So Pilate, naturally, when the crowd in verse 8 come and ask Pilate for a release, 00:07:12.699 --> 00:07:13.539 says to them, 00:07:13.919 --> 00:07:17.439 Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews? 00:07:18.099 --> 00:07:20.579 Because at this stage, he's already figured out 00:07:20.579 --> 00:07:26.000 that the real motive behind the charge against Jesus is envy, 00:07:26.599 --> 00:07:28.339 is self-interest. 00:07:29.599 --> 00:07:33.039 That they are issuing trumped up charges 00:07:33.039 --> 00:07:36.000 in order to get rid of an opponent 00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:39.779 who's taking popularity from the religious leaders. 00:07:39.779 --> 00:07:44.559 When it gets to the end, 00:07:45.339 --> 00:07:48.719 when Pilate nails his colors to the mast, 00:07:49.599 --> 00:07:54.359 when the crowd begin crying out that Jesus should be crucified, 00:07:55.739 --> 00:07:57.619 look at verse 14. 00:07:59.199 --> 00:08:00.299 Pilate asks the question, 00:08:00.500 --> 00:08:00.879 Why? 00:08:01.679 --> 00:08:04.919 What crime has he committed? 00:08:05.659 --> 00:08:08.099 So there is Pilate's personal verdict. 00:08:08.100 --> 00:08:12.580 Pilate, Jesus has done nothing deserving of death. 00:08:12.660 --> 00:08:17.140 He's not the dangerous revolutionary guilty of treason 00:08:17.140 --> 00:08:20.900 that the religious establishment have set him up to be. 00:08:21.280 --> 00:08:24.740 So Pilate believes he has done no crime, 00:08:25.120 --> 00:08:28.800 but in verse 15, 00:08:28.879 --> 00:08:33.180 nevertheless, he condemns Jesus as guilty. 00:08:34.420 --> 00:08:36.759 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, 00:08:36.759 --> 00:08:39.519 Pilate released Barabbas to them. 00:08:40.360 --> 00:08:44.259 He had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified. 00:08:45.899 --> 00:08:48.879 Here is another injustice against Jesus. 00:08:49.980 --> 00:08:53.399 Here is a judge willingly and knowingly 00:08:53.399 --> 00:08:56.179 condemning an innocent man 00:08:56.179 --> 00:09:00.879 and doing it blatantly in order to please the crowd, 00:09:00.879 --> 00:09:05.220 in order to secure his political position. 00:09:06.220 --> 00:09:10.519 Now when we see this going on in world politics today, 00:09:10.600 --> 00:09:11.980 we are rightly horrified. 00:09:12.100 --> 00:09:15.120 But here we see it in Jesus, 00:09:16.399 --> 00:09:22.700 that Pilate condemns him as guilty for his own self-interest. 00:09:22.700 --> 00:09:30.040 That begs an important question from us. 00:09:30.920 --> 00:09:35.700 Are you and I, are we, like Pilate, people pleasers? 00:09:36.700 --> 00:09:40.860 Do we live with the fear of man 00:09:40.860 --> 00:09:46.879 so that that's what determines how we live and how we act? 00:09:46.879 --> 00:09:50.600 What does that look like for us compared to Pilate? 00:09:50.679 --> 00:09:54.700 Well, perhaps it might look like hiding our beliefs, 00:09:55.799 --> 00:09:59.700 hiding our values and behavior under pressure 00:09:59.700 --> 00:10:02.860 from family, from friends, from colleagues. 00:10:02.860 --> 00:10:04.639 Or maybe it's just a perception 00:10:04.639 --> 00:10:07.480 that if I stand and be counted as a Christian, 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:09.220 that life will get difficult for me. 00:10:09.879 --> 00:10:12.120 Maybe you know that Japanese proverb, 00:10:12.120 --> 00:10:14.360 the nail that sticks out will be hammered in. 00:10:14.779 --> 00:10:17.120 We instinctively do not want to be hammered. 00:10:18.360 --> 00:10:20.759 So it's a challenge for us to count the cost 00:10:20.759 --> 00:10:22.840 to stand up and be a Christian. 00:10:22.980 --> 00:10:25.840 And so perhaps you know what it is 00:10:25.840 --> 00:10:27.320 to hide your belief and behavior. 00:10:29.080 --> 00:10:32.799 I was talking to our young people, our edge group, 00:10:32.960 --> 00:10:36.419 and that was my experience as a teen, as an early 20, 00:10:37.039 --> 00:10:40.919 trying desperately to fit in, to blend in, 00:10:40.919 --> 00:10:43.819 to not have anybody ask those questions. 00:10:45.360 --> 00:10:47.079 You know, God calls us to be holy. 00:10:47.219 --> 00:10:49.579 Jesus said we should be a different kind of people, 00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:51.979 living a different kind of culture. 00:10:52.639 --> 00:10:53.740 That's hard. 00:10:55.620 --> 00:10:59.599 Perhaps for us, we have an inner tug of war 00:10:59.599 --> 00:11:05.339 between our convictions that we would love to live out, 00:11:05.699 --> 00:11:08.019 but then we get weak and we get fearful. 00:11:08.240 --> 00:11:10.139 And so we're constantly feeling guilty 00:11:10.139 --> 00:11:12.500 because there's things we should do and say that we don't. 00:11:13.360 --> 00:11:16.740 Or maybe you feel really drawn to Jesus, 00:11:17.259 --> 00:11:20.980 but you've never committed because you're aware of the cost. 00:11:21.639 --> 00:11:24.100 Perhaps what it will mean within your family or friends. 00:11:25.039 --> 00:11:28.639 I had a Chinese friend called Larry in Glasgow, 00:11:29.179 --> 00:11:33.019 and we spent years reading the Bible together. 00:11:33.019 --> 00:11:35.699 And he was really drawn to Jesus. 00:11:35.779 --> 00:11:36.539 You could see it. 00:11:37.019 --> 00:11:39.559 He went home to visit his family, 00:11:39.559 --> 00:11:41.699 and he came back and he sat down with me and he said, 00:11:41.939 --> 00:11:43.860 I would love to follow Jesus, but I can't 00:11:44.939 --> 00:11:46.559 because my parents would not approve. 00:11:48.100 --> 00:11:49.740 Perhaps that's our experience. 00:11:51.299 --> 00:11:55.340 Perhaps living with the fear of man means we seek approval 00:11:55.340 --> 00:11:57.279 in the wrong places. 00:11:57.279 --> 00:12:00.240 Ed Welch has written a book with a great title, 00:12:00.360 --> 00:12:03.220 When People Are Big and God Is Small. 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:07.120 We can find ourselves doing that all the time, 00:12:07.620 --> 00:12:09.879 not living for God's approval, 00:12:10.259 --> 00:12:11.019 but being concerned, 00:12:11.139 --> 00:12:13.079 what will other people around me think 00:12:13.079 --> 00:12:18.740 if I stand up for Jesus in this way or in that way? 00:12:18.740 --> 00:12:22.620 And when we are like that, 00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:24.940 if we're Christians and we're struggling 00:12:24.940 --> 00:12:26.299 with the fear of man, 00:12:26.500 --> 00:12:28.240 one inevitable consequence 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:30.779 is that we will always struggle with sharing our faith, 00:12:31.500 --> 00:12:34.000 that our evangelism and mission will suffer. 00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:38.539 I read an incredibly convicting sentence 00:12:38.539 --> 00:12:40.860 from a man by the name of Tahir. 00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:45.480 Tahir is somebody who works in some of the Stan states 00:12:45.480 --> 00:12:47.120 in the former Soviet Republic. 00:12:47.120 --> 00:12:50.740 He plants churches among Muslim people groups. 00:12:51.379 --> 00:12:53.100 And he said this, he said, 00:12:53.240 --> 00:12:56.440 the world is more ready to receive the gospel 00:12:56.440 --> 00:13:00.419 than the church is to share the gospel. 00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:03.539 Because so often we're afraid. 00:13:04.279 --> 00:13:06.940 So often we're concerned to please people 00:13:06.940 --> 00:13:10.779 rather than to please our God. 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:15.240 When that's you, when that's me, 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:17.100 what do we do about that? 00:13:17.200 --> 00:13:20.120 Where does change come from? 00:13:22.799 --> 00:13:24.680 Can I suggest that the change will come 00:13:24.680 --> 00:13:27.379 when we focus on identity? 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:32.620 First of all, focusing on the identity of Jesus. 00:13:34.299 --> 00:13:38.159 To see who Jesus is and what Jesus has done for us. 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:41.519 To recognize here is the son of God 00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:43.980 who has left the glory of heaven. 00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:46.079 That he has become fully human. 00:13:46.199 --> 00:13:48.019 He's been tried and tested and tempted 00:13:48.019 --> 00:13:49.679 as we are yet without sin. 00:13:50.299 --> 00:13:53.159 That he's lived in perfect obedience on our behalf. 00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:56.100 That he's going through all this suffering, 00:13:56.319 --> 00:13:58.779 ultimately taking him to the cross 00:13:58.779 --> 00:14:02.419 in order to pay the price for our sin 00:14:02.419 --> 00:14:05.199 to bring us to God. 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:11.460 If we understand the cost that Jesus was willing to pay 00:14:11.460 --> 00:14:14.140 in order to make us children of God, 00:14:14.640 --> 00:14:18.860 as we continue to live in that reality, 00:14:19.480 --> 00:14:21.320 as that dominates our thinking, 00:14:21.340 --> 00:14:25.840 that's the only way to overcome being a people pleaser. 00:14:26.560 --> 00:14:29.580 To be overwhelmed by the love of God 00:14:29.580 --> 00:14:31.240 as it's shown to us in Jesus. 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:34.840 So we need to see the identity of Christ, 00:14:34.919 --> 00:14:36.560 but we also need to be so clear 00:14:36.560 --> 00:14:40.519 on our identity as Christians in Christ. 00:14:42.360 --> 00:14:45.299 To see that when our faith is in Jesus, 00:14:45.480 --> 00:14:47.240 we are children of God. 00:14:47.759 --> 00:14:50.960 That we have this eternal inheritance laid up for us. 00:14:51.320 --> 00:14:54.080 We have absolute security. 00:14:54.740 --> 00:14:57.899 We have a love that will never let us go. 00:14:57.899 --> 00:15:00.340 We have an acceptance that is guaranteed 00:15:00.340 --> 00:15:03.659 from the one who matters more than anybody else. 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:07.819 If you get the chance over the summer to read one book, 00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:09.399 I've recommended it before, 00:15:09.539 --> 00:15:11.860 Tim Keller's The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness. 00:15:11.980 --> 00:15:13.059 The Gospel of Self-Forgetfulness. 00:15:13.299 --> 00:15:14.139 I can't remember which one it is. 00:15:14.199 --> 00:15:15.740 Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness, I think it is. 00:15:16.179 --> 00:15:20.120 An incredible book on helping us to think less of ourselves, 00:15:20.220 --> 00:15:23.899 to think more of Jesus as the way into joy 00:15:23.899 --> 00:15:27.879 and as the way into mission as the people of God. 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:32.720 So there's some lessons from Pilate. 00:15:33.819 --> 00:15:36.819 What lessons can we draw from the Roman soldiers? 00:15:37.059 --> 00:15:38.679 What do we see of them? 00:15:38.779 --> 00:15:40.879 We see men who are professional 00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:44.419 in cruelty and humiliation, don't we? 00:15:44.959 --> 00:15:45.840 Verse 16, 00:15:45.840 --> 00:16:13.840 These Roman soldiers, they're experts in torture. 00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:15.560 They're experts in killing. 00:16:16.280 --> 00:16:19.899 They're experts in degrading and humiliating their prisoners. 00:16:22.180 --> 00:16:23.780 Remember a few years ago, 00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:25.580 some of those horrible images 00:16:25.580 --> 00:16:27.879 that came out of the Abu Ghraib Detention Center. 00:16:28.019 --> 00:16:31.040 Whenever prisoners are treated as less than, 00:16:32.160 --> 00:16:33.639 it's not a nice thing to see. 00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:37.639 Here is Jesus being treated as less than, 00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:40.280 dishonored shamefully, 00:16:40.780 --> 00:16:42.639 mocking Jesus' claim to be king. 00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:44.539 There's this cruel theater show. 00:16:44.919 --> 00:16:48.960 Let's dress Jesus up as a king 00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:51.179 in order to tear him down, 00:16:51.519 --> 00:16:53.039 is the soldiers thinking. 00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:57.220 They would agree with the Jewish crowd at the cross 00:16:57.220 --> 00:16:58.039 that cried, 00:16:58.139 --> 00:16:59.460 We have no king but Caesar. 00:17:00.360 --> 00:17:02.340 They don't see Jesus as a king. 00:17:03.819 --> 00:17:05.619 They respond to power, 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:07.639 to the power and glory of Rome. 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:09.019 That's the emperor. 00:17:09.160 --> 00:17:10.180 He's the true king. 00:17:10.180 --> 00:17:11.860 They look at Jesus. 00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:15.120 They see nothing worth value. 00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:17.400 And so they mock him 00:17:17.400 --> 00:17:22.200 and they continue to go about their business of execution. 00:17:23.840 --> 00:17:27.340 Here's one lesson that we can take for ourselves 00:17:27.340 --> 00:17:28.500 from the Roman soldiers. 00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:33.620 Are you and I too busy for Jesus? 00:17:33.619 --> 00:17:39.879 Are you and I too busy to build a relationship with Jesus? 00:17:40.199 --> 00:17:45.419 Or too busy to even get to know who he truly is in the first place? 00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:49.879 It seems such a tragedy in the case of these Roman soldiers. 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:54.039 They have this unique opportunity to examine Jesus' claim. 00:17:54.039 --> 00:17:56.740 You know, he's come from the courthouse. 00:17:56.859 --> 00:17:59.779 He's been tried as the son of God, 00:17:59.859 --> 00:18:00.940 as the savior of the world, 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:02.119 as the king of the Jews, 00:18:02.159 --> 00:18:04.099 but they have no interest in discovering, 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:05.839 is any of this true? 00:18:05.940 --> 00:18:07.700 And if that's true, what difference does it make? 00:18:08.539 --> 00:18:10.420 They're too busy doing their job 00:18:10.420 --> 00:18:13.519 to take the opportunity that's presented to them. 00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:22.960 Like them, for us, life can get crazy, crazy busy. 00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:26.920 Even in summer, when it should be, in a sense, 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:29.079 a time for many of us to rest, 00:18:29.299 --> 00:18:32.119 it seems like things are just relentless. 00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:36.299 There are things that we must do to do with work. 00:18:36.420 --> 00:18:38.099 There are commitments in the home. 00:18:38.220 --> 00:18:40.460 There are family and friends to take care of. 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:43.500 There's stuff that we sometimes just waste time on. 00:18:43.579 --> 00:18:45.819 There's good hobbies to pursue. 00:18:46.079 --> 00:18:48.339 But all of that taken together means often 00:18:48.339 --> 00:18:51.240 we leave very little time for Jesus. 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:56.379 We don't make blocks in our calendar 00:18:56.379 --> 00:18:58.680 for reading, for prayer, 00:18:59.779 --> 00:19:01.940 making time to be with other Christians. 00:19:03.160 --> 00:19:04.940 Sometimes we find that that time 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:07.279 can very easily be squeezed out, if we're honest. 00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:11.299 There was some leadership advice 00:19:11.299 --> 00:19:12.559 I was reminded of this week, 00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:14.480 which I think is really appropriate 00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:15.619 when it comes to this. 00:19:16.359 --> 00:19:16.919 And it's simply, 00:19:17.159 --> 00:19:19.159 don't let the good swallow the great. 00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:21.399 We have many good things 00:19:21.399 --> 00:19:22.819 that we have to do in our lives. 00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:25.139 Many noble things to pursue. 00:19:25.500 --> 00:19:28.500 But don't let those block out the time 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:31.720 that we need to build a relationship 00:19:31.720 --> 00:19:33.639 with Jesus, our Lord and our Savior. 00:19:33.640 --> 00:19:37.680 to grow in our faith or to come to faith. 00:19:39.900 --> 00:19:44.440 To make this relationship with Jesus a priority. 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:47.840 To really understand who he is 00:19:47.840 --> 00:19:49.280 and what he has done. 00:19:49.360 --> 00:19:51.780 To not let him simply pass us by 00:19:51.780 --> 00:19:53.000 like the soldiers did. 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:56.859 Maybe we can think of the story 00:19:56.859 --> 00:20:00.000 of when Jesus went to visit Mary and Martha. 00:20:00.140 --> 00:20:01.799 Boys and girls, I'm sure you remember the story 00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:04.440 of when Jesus went to visit Mary and Martha. 00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:05.819 Two sisters. 00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:06.839 Jesus came. 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:08.119 He was their friend. 00:20:08.420 --> 00:20:11.660 And he sat down and he began teaching in one room. 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:13.680 There's one sister, Martha, 00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:14.960 and she's like super busy. 00:20:15.059 --> 00:20:15.759 She's cooking. 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:17.099 She's cleaning. 00:20:17.719 --> 00:20:20.240 She's preparing a meal for Jesus. 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:22.559 And she's really annoyed with Mary 00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:24.839 because Mary is sitting 00:20:24.839 --> 00:20:27.099 simply listening to Jesus. 00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:30.079 Boys and girls, do you remember what Jesus said? 00:20:30.579 --> 00:20:33.179 He said, Mary's chosen the better thing 00:20:33.179 --> 00:20:35.959 because Mary's listening to Jesus. 00:20:36.799 --> 00:20:37.740 It's good to be busy. 00:20:38.079 --> 00:20:39.159 It's good to work. 00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:41.519 But it's most important 00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:45.319 for each one of us to spend time with Jesus. 00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:47.819 So again, if we find ourselves, 00:20:47.939 --> 00:20:49.259 you know, coming into the summer season 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:51.639 thinking, man, my calendar is absolutely crammed. 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:53.279 How is change going to come? 00:20:54.119 --> 00:20:55.980 We're going to have to be really deliberate 00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:58.319 about slowing down. 00:20:59.139 --> 00:21:01.019 We're going to need to be really deliberate 00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:02.759 in our time management, 00:21:02.899 --> 00:21:04.419 in our calendar management, 00:21:04.419 --> 00:21:08.359 if we want to invest in our relationship 00:21:08.359 --> 00:21:09.359 with the Lord Jesus. 00:21:09.839 --> 00:21:12.279 If we want to be serious about knowing him 00:21:12.279 --> 00:21:13.519 and knowing him better, 00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:15.420 perhaps there are changes, 00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:16.759 really practical changes 00:21:16.759 --> 00:21:17.700 that need to happen 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:21.440 to how our weeks, our days look. 00:21:24.079 --> 00:21:25.639 It would be a wonderful thing 00:21:25.639 --> 00:21:27.480 if we could look ahead to this summer 00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:28.559 and say, this is a summer 00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:31.039 where I'm really going to dig deep into the Bible, 00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:33.480 where I'm going to examine who Jesus is. 00:21:33.539 --> 00:21:35.539 I'm going to think about what the cross is all about 00:21:35.539 --> 00:21:38.339 and to see how that would change us 00:21:38.339 --> 00:21:43.299 to prioritize church, 00:21:43.899 --> 00:21:45.619 whether that's Sunday morning, Sunday evening, 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:47.459 whether it's Wednesday evenings 00:21:47.459 --> 00:21:49.480 and outside of term times, 00:21:50.579 --> 00:21:52.980 prioritizing Bible reading and prayer. 00:21:54.439 --> 00:21:56.119 Your man shall not live by bread alone, 00:21:56.199 --> 00:21:58.179 but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. 00:21:58.259 --> 00:22:00.639 We need God's word for our spiritual life. 00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:04.920 The change will come as we slow down, 00:22:04.980 --> 00:22:05.860 as we reevaluate, 00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:07.300 as we set new priorities 00:22:07.300 --> 00:22:11.120 to build, to grow a relationship that will last 00:22:11.120 --> 00:22:13.980 so we won't be too busy for Jesus. 00:22:15.460 --> 00:22:16.540 And what about Barabbas? 00:22:16.600 --> 00:22:20.220 What lessons can we draw from Barabbas? 00:22:20.360 --> 00:22:22.220 We don't learn too much about him, 00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:25.740 but we know that he was a political freedom fighter. 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:27.180 Verse 7, 00:22:28.380 --> 00:22:31.160 a man called Barabbas was in prison 00:22:31.160 --> 00:22:32.759 with the insurrectionists 00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:36.720 who had committed murder in the uprising. 00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:39.819 He was a man who wanted revolution. 00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:41.579 There was lots of people called zealots 00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:44.599 who were keen to see a free Israel. 00:22:45.099 --> 00:22:47.559 He wanted to get rid of the Romans. 00:22:48.099 --> 00:22:49.400 And Barabbas is one of those guys 00:22:49.400 --> 00:22:51.579 who's willing to kill for the cause. 00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:53.620 What do you live for, Barabbas? 00:22:53.619 --> 00:22:56.119 I live for the freedom of Israel. 00:22:57.559 --> 00:23:00.979 But he's obviously been found captured, 00:23:01.399 --> 00:23:03.059 been found guilty of murder, 00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:05.739 and here he stands condemned and guilty 00:23:05.739 --> 00:23:07.879 with just a few hours left to live. 00:23:09.619 --> 00:23:12.319 But then that remarkable thing happens at the feast. 00:23:12.479 --> 00:23:16.719 This condemned and guilty man walks free. 00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:18.779 Verse 9, again, 00:23:18.859 --> 00:23:20.119 do you want me to release to you 00:23:20.119 --> 00:23:22.059 the king of the Jews? 00:23:22.679 --> 00:23:24.879 Ask Pilate, verse 11, 00:23:25.379 --> 00:23:27.779 but the chief priests stirred up the crowd 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:32.059 to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. 00:23:33.379 --> 00:23:35.419 So the religious leaders, along with the masses, 00:23:35.559 --> 00:23:37.019 they choose this murderer, 00:23:37.239 --> 00:23:39.459 this political freedom fighter, 00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:41.559 rather than Jesus. 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:44.679 Perhaps for many of the people, 00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:46.759 they thought this is the kind of savior 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:47.519 that we want. 00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:50.400 Of course, it's not the savior that they needed, 00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:54.180 but perhaps Barabbas represented the hopes of many 00:23:54.180 --> 00:23:56.339 for political freedom. 00:23:56.559 --> 00:23:58.460 We see that in Jesus' ministry. 00:23:58.599 --> 00:24:00.339 The expectations of God's king 00:24:00.339 --> 00:24:03.119 were in many ways far too low, 00:24:03.660 --> 00:24:05.379 only thinking in terms of political 00:24:05.379 --> 00:24:06.379 and national freedom, 00:24:06.379 --> 00:24:09.259 rather than recognizing that Jesus, 00:24:09.420 --> 00:24:11.019 the true king, God's king, 00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:12.680 he brings spiritual freedom, 00:24:12.680 --> 00:24:16.240 he brings an eternal global kingdom. 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:22.779 A question related to Barabbas' life, 00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:24.099 a lesson for ourselves. 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:28.220 What difference does the substitution of Jesus 00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:31.160 make to our lives? 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:33.759 So at this trial, 00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:35.900 Pilate willingly and knowingly 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:39.339 switches the guilty Barabbas 00:24:39.339 --> 00:24:41.740 for the innocent Jesus. 00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:45.299 Barabbas, who should have been condemned to die, 00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:46.920 walks free, 00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:48.940 expecting death and judgment, 00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:50.940 but he tastes freedom. 00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:53.799 Now we're not told 00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:56.180 whether Barabbas watched 00:24:56.180 --> 00:24:58.420 as Jesus took his place on that cross. 00:24:59.059 --> 00:25:00.779 We're not told whether he cared, 00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:02.339 whether that made any difference 00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:03.519 to his life. 00:25:03.559 --> 00:25:05.539 We have no idea. 00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:09.319 It doesn't really matter for us. 00:25:09.399 --> 00:25:11.799 What matters profoundly for us though 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:16.700 is what difference does that substitution make for us? 00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:18.759 Because this swap that's happening 00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:21.980 prepares us for the good news of the Bible. 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:26.700 Barabbas stands for all of us. 00:25:27.180 --> 00:25:29.359 As sinners who disobey God, 00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:31.259 who dishonor God, 00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:33.619 we stand with Barabbas 00:25:33.619 --> 00:25:36.420 deserving the judgment of God. 00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:39.660 But then there is the cross. 00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:42.259 There's this wonderful exchange that takes place. 00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:43.900 Paul puts it this way, 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:44.859 God made him, 00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:45.680 that's Jesus, 00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:47.559 who knew no sin 00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:50.000 to be sin for us 00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:51.900 so that in him 00:25:51.900 --> 00:25:53.680 we might become 00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:56.700 the righteousness of God. 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:59.920 Jesus takes my sin 00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:03.620 suffers the judgment of God 00:26:03.620 --> 00:26:04.880 in my place, 00:26:05.580 --> 00:26:08.779 gives me his righteousness 00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:11.259 as a free gift of his grace 00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:13.120 so I can be welcomed, 00:26:13.539 --> 00:26:15.220 so I can be reconciled. 00:26:16.200 --> 00:26:17.740 The Bible says to us, 00:26:17.800 --> 00:26:18.660 I am Barabbas 00:26:18.660 --> 00:26:20.600 and you are Barabbas. 00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:22.240 I wonder, do we see that? 00:26:22.320 --> 00:26:23.620 Do we appreciate the difference 00:26:23.620 --> 00:26:26.480 that makes for how we think about life? 00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:29.160 Here is the grace of God 00:26:29.160 --> 00:26:31.200 being indicated to us 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:32.839 that Jesus becomes 00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:34.860 our legal representative. 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:37.799 He stands in our place 00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:39.160 in the court of law. 00:26:39.279 --> 00:26:41.680 He faces judgment and death 00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:42.500 so that you and I, 00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:43.500 we don't need to 00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:46.680 because he has gone there for us 00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:49.740 if our faith is in him. 00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:53.460 Jesus rises from the dead 00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:56.500 and returns to the glory of heaven 00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:59.019 and as our legal representative, 00:26:59.240 --> 00:27:01.359 we too receive new life in him 00:27:01.359 --> 00:27:03.579 with a promise of resurrection life 00:27:03.579 --> 00:27:06.220 that will never end after death. 00:27:07.779 --> 00:27:09.900 That he returns to the glory of heaven 00:27:09.900 --> 00:27:12.039 and he is our legal representative. 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:13.039 What belongs to him 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:14.259 belongs to us too. 00:27:14.359 --> 00:27:16.579 So that is our glorious future, 00:27:17.400 --> 00:27:19.299 the glory of heaven. 00:27:19.299 --> 00:27:21.460 seeing Jesus face to face 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:23.740 and being made like him. 00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:26.419 Jesus calls God Father. 00:27:26.819 --> 00:27:29.200 Jesus enjoys the eternal love of the Father 00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:30.359 and in him, 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:31.919 that's our privilege too. 00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:32.819 As the church, 00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:36.359 we can pray our Father in heaven. 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:40.279 He belongs to us. 00:27:44.419 --> 00:27:46.000 Mark writes this 00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:48.379 so that we wouldn't miss out. 00:27:49.299 --> 00:27:52.079 That we wouldn't walk by Jesus 00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:54.460 out of fear of what people might say. 00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:57.799 That we wouldn't put Jesus to one side 00:27:57.799 --> 00:28:01.659 because of the fear of our loss of reputation perhaps. 00:28:03.659 --> 00:28:06.419 Say don't miss out because of our busyness 00:28:06.419 --> 00:28:09.159 or other priorities that come ahead 00:28:09.159 --> 00:28:10.419 of the Lord Jesus. 00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:13.559 Recognize Jesus takes your place, 00:28:13.639 --> 00:28:15.019 is willing to take your place 00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:17.299 and gifts you his place. 00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:19.980 As a loved child of God. 00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:22.259 And he's on this journey towards the cross. 00:28:22.400 --> 00:28:24.660 He's going to this trial to show us 00:28:24.660 --> 00:28:29.019 just how great God's love is. 00:28:30.599 --> 00:28:33.920 Let me just finish by putting Jesus' trial here 00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:35.420 in the big picture of salvation. 00:28:35.579 --> 00:28:37.039 What can we see? 00:28:38.039 --> 00:28:39.639 One thing that we see very clearly 00:28:39.640 --> 00:28:41.480 is that the world in its sin 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:44.460 chooses to reject God's Savior. 00:28:44.580 --> 00:28:45.380 We saw last week 00:28:45.380 --> 00:28:47.420 the Jewish religious leaders reject Jesus. 00:28:47.800 --> 00:28:50.740 Now we see the Romans rejecting Jesus. 00:28:50.880 --> 00:28:52.380 The world is conspiring 00:28:52.380 --> 00:28:54.440 to get rid of Jesus 00:28:54.440 --> 00:28:56.600 because it reveals our hearts 00:28:56.600 --> 00:28:58.560 that every one of us 00:28:58.560 --> 00:29:00.100 by nature rebels, 00:29:00.300 --> 00:29:02.440 turns our back on our Creator 00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:03.980 and our Savior. 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:06.080 Every one of us 00:29:06.080 --> 00:29:07.520 in different ways every day 00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:09.440 dishonors our God. 00:29:11.139 --> 00:29:12.720 This trial reminds us of that. 00:29:13.960 --> 00:29:15.660 But putting this trial in the big picture 00:29:15.660 --> 00:29:16.519 also reminds us 00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:18.319 that God can bring good from evil. 00:29:19.299 --> 00:29:21.359 This trial is part of the world's 00:29:21.359 --> 00:29:22.539 greatest injustice 00:29:22.539 --> 00:29:23.619 that has ever been seen. 00:29:24.039 --> 00:29:25.119 Jesus, the one who deserves 00:29:25.119 --> 00:29:26.900 all the glory we could afford, 00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:29.139 is treated so shamefully, 00:29:29.339 --> 00:29:30.220 so badly, 00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:30.920 yet 00:29:30.920 --> 00:29:34.639 this is part of God's eternal plan. 00:29:35.440 --> 00:29:36.940 And in God's eternal plan, 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:39.000 this becomes the greatest act of love 00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:40.080 and grace 00:29:40.080 --> 00:29:40.840 and justice 00:29:40.840 --> 00:29:41.559 and mercy 00:29:41.559 --> 00:29:44.480 the world has ever known. 00:29:45.920 --> 00:29:46.580 And again, 00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:47.440 as we put this trial 00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:48.259 in the big picture, 00:29:48.380 --> 00:29:48.880 we see 00:29:48.880 --> 00:29:50.240 Jesus is 00:29:50.240 --> 00:29:51.360 the great, 00:29:51.460 --> 00:29:52.100 the greater, 00:29:52.220 --> 00:29:53.380 the greatest king 00:29:53.380 --> 00:29:54.759 the world has ever seen. 00:29:54.820 --> 00:29:56.019 The soldiers couldn't see it. 00:29:56.960 --> 00:29:57.840 They mocked Jesus. 00:29:58.580 --> 00:29:59.620 What kind of king is this? 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:01.820 They thought Caesar 00:30:01.820 --> 00:30:02.700 was the ultimate king, 00:30:02.779 --> 00:30:04.019 but of course the Roman Empire 00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:04.700 would collapse, 00:30:04.820 --> 00:30:06.059 collapsed in 476. 00:30:06.059 --> 00:30:07.919 All its power, 00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:08.980 all its glory was gone, 00:30:09.059 --> 00:30:09.919 but Jesus' kingdom 00:30:09.919 --> 00:30:11.960 is global. 00:30:13.159 --> 00:30:14.019 It spans history. 00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:14.559 It spans 00:30:14.559 --> 00:30:16.159 continents 00:30:16.159 --> 00:30:17.579 and languages 00:30:17.579 --> 00:30:18.700 and people groups 00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:20.519 and religious backgrounds. 00:30:21.259 --> 00:30:21.879 There is no 00:30:21.879 --> 00:30:23.079 Hadrian's wall 00:30:23.079 --> 00:30:24.299 that is strong enough 00:30:24.299 --> 00:30:25.179 to stop 00:30:25.179 --> 00:30:26.259 the spread 00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:27.720 of the gospel. 00:30:29.299 --> 00:30:30.599 Jesus is showing 00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:32.000 that he is building 00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:32.659 his church 00:30:32.660 --> 00:30:33.400 and nothing 00:30:33.400 --> 00:30:34.200 and no one 00:30:34.200 --> 00:30:35.700 can stop it. 00:30:36.620 --> 00:30:37.519 There's good news 00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:38.660 all around the world 00:30:38.660 --> 00:30:39.360 of what God 00:30:39.360 --> 00:30:40.120 is doing. 00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:40.640 I wonder, 00:30:40.800 --> 00:30:41.420 are we part 00:30:41.420 --> 00:30:42.720 of that kingdom today? 00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:44.100 Would we like 00:30:44.100 --> 00:30:44.640 to be part 00:30:44.640 --> 00:30:45.160 of that kingdom? 00:30:45.320 --> 00:30:46.600 Do we recognize 00:30:46.600 --> 00:30:47.779 Jesus is the king 00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:49.320 who loved us 00:30:49.320 --> 00:30:50.480 and gave himself 00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:51.160 for us? 00:30:53.100 --> 00:30:53.560 Live so, 00:30:53.700 --> 00:30:54.779 put your faith 00:30:54.779 --> 00:30:56.100 in Jesus. 00:30:56.980 --> 00:30:57.640 Trust that when 00:30:57.640 --> 00:30:58.700 he went to the cross, 00:30:58.759 --> 00:30:59.720 he went there 00:30:59.720 --> 00:31:00.759 for you 00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:02.480 in order to 00:31:02.480 --> 00:31:03.559 forgive you 00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:04.200 your sin 00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:05.500 and to give you 00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:06.319 eternal life. 00:31:07.279 --> 00:31:08.299 Turn from your sin, 00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:09.519 turn towards God 00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:10.319 and live 00:31:10.319 --> 00:31:11.640 for your king. 00:31:12.339 --> 00:31:13.380 Let's live for our king. 00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:14.500 Let's speak for him. 00:31:14.880 --> 00:31:15.880 Let's pray 00:31:15.880 --> 00:31:16.960 that his kingdom 00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:18.440 would come 00:31:18.440 --> 00:31:19.220 here 00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:19.940 in Edinburgh 00:31:19.940 --> 00:31:20.519 and Scotland 00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:22.120 and around 00:31:22.120 --> 00:31:23.299 our world.