WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.299 Well, good morning, church. Wherever you may be, turn with us in a Bible, if you have one, 00:00:07.879 --> 00:00:17.140 to the Gospel of Luke, chapter 22, beginning at verse 63. We'll be reading from there through 00:00:17.140 --> 00:00:29.000 to chapter 23, verse 25. Luke, chapter 22, beginning at verse 63. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:40.019 Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. They also 00:00:40.019 --> 00:00:47.600 blindfolded him and kept asking him, prophesy, who is it that struck you? And they said many other 00:00:47.600 --> 00:00:55.439 things against him, blaspheming him. When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered 00:00:55.439 --> 00:01:00.439 together, both chief priests and scribes, and they led him away to their council, and they said, 00:01:00.820 --> 00:01:09.659 if you are the Christ, tell us. But he said to them, if I tell you, you will not believe, 00:01:09.659 --> 00:01:18.000 and if I ask you, you will not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man shall be seated at the right 00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:27.179 hand of the power of God. So they all said, are you the Son of God then? And he said to them, 00:01:28.039 --> 00:01:34.340 you say that I am. And they said, what further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves 00:01:34.340 --> 00:01:40.200 from his own lips. Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 00:01:41.299 --> 00:01:47.100 And they began to accuse him, saying, we found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us 00:01:47.100 --> 00:01:53.219 to give tribute to Caesar and saying that he himself is Christ, a king. And Pilate asked him, 00:01:53.620 --> 00:02:03.080 are you the king of the Jews? And he answered him, you've said so. And Pilate said to the chief 00:02:03.079 --> 00:02:08.939 priests and to the crowds, I find no guilt in this man. But they were urgent, saying, 00:02:09.199 --> 00:02:13.659 he stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place. 00:02:15.159 --> 00:02:20.719 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he belonged 00:02:20.719 --> 00:02:25.439 to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 00:02:26.539 --> 00:02:31.939 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, 00:02:31.939 --> 00:02:37.699 because he had heard about him. And he was hoping to see some sign done by him. 00:02:38.680 --> 00:02:41.319 So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. 00:02:42.159 --> 00:02:45.620 The chief priests and the scribes stood by vehemently accusing him. 00:02:47.419 --> 00:02:51.240 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. 00:02:52.060 --> 00:02:55.099 Then arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 00:02:56.159 --> 00:02:59.280 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, 00:02:59.280 --> 00:03:01.680 for before this they had been at enmity with each other. 00:03:03.280 --> 00:03:06.960 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people and said to them, 00:03:07.420 --> 00:03:10.780 You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. 00:03:11.460 --> 00:03:17.539 And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 00:03:18.520 --> 00:03:21.080 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. 00:03:21.080 --> 00:03:51.060 Pilate said, 00:03:51.080 --> 00:04:04.600 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 00:04:05.080 --> 00:04:09.600 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, 00:04:10.260 --> 00:04:11.160 for whom they asked. 00:04:11.620 --> 00:04:15.660 But he delivered Jesus over to their will. 00:04:15.659 --> 00:04:45.639 Pilate said, 00:04:45.639 --> 00:04:48.620 And that our world is currently facing because of COVID-19. 00:04:48.620 --> 00:04:54.000 It's not primarily about how to deal with unemployment and financial stress 00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:58.199 or how to persevere in a job that suddenly has become ten times more stressful. 00:04:59.199 --> 00:05:02.720 It is not primarily about how to endure physical isolation 00:05:02.720 --> 00:05:06.360 or how to make the most of an extended season at home with spouse and children. 00:05:07.120 --> 00:05:10.699 It's not about how to avoid spreading illness or getting sick oneself 00:05:10.699 --> 00:05:16.939 or how to discern appropriate boundaries or an appropriate risk to take for the sake of loving God and others. 00:05:18.539 --> 00:05:24.639 So on the face of it, this passage may not immediately speak to every one of our present circumstances 00:05:24.639 --> 00:05:26.719 and conditions and conundrums. 00:05:26.720 --> 00:05:34.460 But this passage is about a day when the darkness only seemed to get darker. 00:05:34.459 --> 00:05:39.060 In verse 53 of chapter 22, 00:05:39.180 --> 00:05:41.339 Jesus said to those who had come out to arrest him, 00:05:41.799 --> 00:05:46.239 This is your hour and the power of darkness. 00:05:47.379 --> 00:05:50.719 And even though the rooster had crowed and the day had dawned, 00:05:50.939 --> 00:05:53.859 it would be a bitter and evil day 00:05:53.859 --> 00:05:57.539 when the Son of God would be sentenced to death, 00:05:58.279 --> 00:06:01.679 when the powers of darkness would seem to prevail. 00:06:01.680 --> 00:06:07.900 You know, sometimes when we're overwhelmed by our burdens in the present 00:06:07.900 --> 00:06:09.920 and by our anxieties about the future, 00:06:10.360 --> 00:06:14.540 I think it's helpful to hear from someone else that we know and love 00:06:14.540 --> 00:06:20.639 who is enduring or who has endured a very different kind of trouble. 00:06:22.360 --> 00:06:25.720 Now, it's not that one person's trouble matters and another doesn't. 00:06:26.620 --> 00:06:28.860 It's not usually helpful to try to rank 00:06:28.860 --> 00:06:32.160 different kinds of human troubles against each other, 00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:34.939 but it is helpful to remember that my troubles 00:06:34.939 --> 00:06:38.379 are not the only ones that matter in this world. 00:06:39.699 --> 00:06:41.960 Other people are fighting their own battles, 00:06:42.560 --> 00:06:44.460 externally or internally, 00:06:44.680 --> 00:06:46.400 often in ways that are invisible 00:06:46.400 --> 00:06:49.340 and unknown to me. 00:06:49.339 --> 00:06:53.359 So this morning, I want us to turn our eyes 00:06:53.359 --> 00:06:56.060 from our present troubles and concerns 00:06:56.060 --> 00:07:02.560 to the trial that Jesus, our Savior, endured. 00:07:04.359 --> 00:07:06.719 This is a long series of events that we just read. 00:07:07.479 --> 00:07:09.719 First, Jesus was brought before the Jewish council. 00:07:10.599 --> 00:07:12.839 Then he was taken to the Roman governor, Pilate. 00:07:12.839 --> 00:07:15.539 Then Pilate sent him over to Herod. 00:07:16.639 --> 00:07:18.319 Then Herod sent him back to Pilate. 00:07:19.019 --> 00:07:20.500 Then Pilate pronounced his verdict. 00:07:21.179 --> 00:07:22.379 Then the crowd protested. 00:07:23.319 --> 00:07:25.120 And so Pilate reversed his initial decision 00:07:25.120 --> 00:07:29.299 and ultimately issued the death sentence. 00:07:31.639 --> 00:07:34.179 But rather than taking each of these events one by one, 00:07:34.259 --> 00:07:37.539 I want to look at three themes that run through the whole story. 00:07:37.540 --> 00:07:42.960 First, the sufferings Jesus endured. 00:07:44.220 --> 00:07:49.060 Second, the steadfastness Jesus displayed. 00:07:50.280 --> 00:07:54.740 And third, the salvation Jesus secured. 00:07:55.800 --> 00:07:57.500 The sufferings Jesus endured, 00:07:58.060 --> 00:07:59.580 the steadfastness he displayed, 00:08:00.020 --> 00:08:02.300 and the salvation he endured. 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:07.140 So first consider the sufferings that Jesus endured. 00:08:07.540 --> 00:08:10.580 In verse 63 to 65, 00:08:10.720 --> 00:08:12.379 Jesus was shamefully beaten 00:08:12.379 --> 00:08:15.420 by cruel temple officials. 00:08:17.180 --> 00:08:19.280 Physical pain is hard enough to deal with, 00:08:19.340 --> 00:08:21.439 and here Jesus was beaten. 00:08:23.040 --> 00:08:25.200 But being repeatedly humiliated, 00:08:26.400 --> 00:08:27.560 shamefully mocked, 00:08:28.220 --> 00:08:30.259 that can cut even deeper. 00:08:31.580 --> 00:08:33.659 And the wounds can last even longer 00:08:33.659 --> 00:08:35.779 than those of a physical beating. 00:08:35.779 --> 00:08:40.179 And the Gospels all emphasize 00:08:40.179 --> 00:08:42.079 not only the physical pain 00:08:42.079 --> 00:08:44.100 of Jesus' trial and crucifixion, 00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:46.600 but also the shame and dishonor 00:08:46.600 --> 00:08:48.459 that was heaped upon him 00:08:48.459 --> 00:08:50.199 from all sides. 00:08:53.699 --> 00:08:54.959 But that wasn't all. 00:08:55.039 --> 00:08:56.699 Then in verses 66 to 71, 00:08:56.879 --> 00:08:58.799 Jesus was forcibly interrogated 00:08:58.799 --> 00:09:02.039 before hostile religious authorities. 00:09:02.039 --> 00:09:06.079 Now these leaders were not asking 00:09:06.079 --> 00:09:07.699 sincere questions. 00:09:08.819 --> 00:09:10.559 Three times in chapter 20, 00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:11.959 they had approached Jesus 00:09:11.959 --> 00:09:13.459 with hostile questions 00:09:13.459 --> 00:09:15.360 seeking to trap him in his words. 00:09:16.559 --> 00:09:18.839 They had been looking for some way 00:09:18.839 --> 00:09:21.219 to arrest and kill Jesus 00:09:21.219 --> 00:09:22.659 for some time already. 00:09:24.259 --> 00:09:25.539 And it's almost certain 00:09:25.539 --> 00:09:26.959 that they weren't even following 00:09:26.959 --> 00:09:29.759 their own recognized legal procedures 00:09:29.759 --> 00:09:30.919 that were put in place 00:09:30.919 --> 00:09:32.139 to safeguard the rights 00:09:32.139 --> 00:09:32.960 of the accused. 00:09:34.860 --> 00:09:36.059 The Jewish Mishnah 00:09:36.059 --> 00:09:37.480 from about 200 AD 00:09:37.480 --> 00:09:39.240 summarizes the legal rights 00:09:39.240 --> 00:09:40.559 of those who were being tried 00:09:40.559 --> 00:09:41.659 for capital offenses. 00:09:43.059 --> 00:09:44.019 Among other things, 00:09:44.100 --> 00:09:44.860 it says these, 00:09:44.860 --> 00:09:48.700 A guilty verdict cannot be finalized 00:09:48.700 --> 00:09:50.279 in one trial on one day. 00:09:51.279 --> 00:09:53.240 It was necessary to sleep on it, 00:09:53.320 --> 00:09:54.399 come back the next day, 00:09:54.500 --> 00:09:56.340 and then make a final decision. 00:09:58.779 --> 00:10:01.039 Also, it says that death penalty cases 00:10:01.039 --> 00:10:03.100 cannot be tried on the eve of a festival, 00:10:04.200 --> 00:10:05.879 as in the Passover here. 00:10:07.639 --> 00:10:09.800 Third, it says that reasons for acquittal, 00:10:09.960 --> 00:10:11.440 for letting the defendant go, 00:10:11.620 --> 00:10:13.620 or exonerating him from the charges, 00:10:13.620 --> 00:10:15.159 must be brought forth 00:10:15.159 --> 00:10:17.139 before reasons for conviction. 00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:19.919 And finally, it says 00:10:19.919 --> 00:10:21.340 that a blasphemy charge 00:10:21.340 --> 00:10:22.799 can only be sustained 00:10:22.799 --> 00:10:24.240 if the defendant has cursed 00:10:24.240 --> 00:10:25.480 God's name itself. 00:10:28.560 --> 00:10:30.179 Now, we can't be entirely sure 00:10:30.179 --> 00:10:31.980 whether all of those procedures 00:10:31.980 --> 00:10:34.000 were in place in Jesus' day, 00:10:34.460 --> 00:10:35.600 because that's from a document 00:10:35.600 --> 00:10:36.940 that comes from a bit later, 00:10:37.480 --> 00:10:38.560 but in Jesus' trial, 00:10:38.740 --> 00:10:40.860 none of these were followed. 00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:44.740 Jesus' legal rights were denied. 00:10:47.919 --> 00:10:49.060 And then it goes on, 00:10:49.120 --> 00:10:50.019 verses 1 to 5, 00:10:50.360 --> 00:10:51.779 Jesus was falsely accused 00:10:51.779 --> 00:10:52.879 before the Roman governor. 00:10:55.159 --> 00:10:57.200 The Jewish council did not have authority 00:10:57.200 --> 00:10:59.200 to carry out death sentences. 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:01.800 Only the Roman governor, Pilate, 00:11:01.840 --> 00:11:03.279 could authorize the death penalty, 00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:04.759 and so the leaders brought Jesus 00:11:04.759 --> 00:11:06.340 before Pilate and accused him. 00:11:06.340 --> 00:11:09.700 We found this man misleading 00:11:09.700 --> 00:11:11.139 or corrupting our nation 00:11:11.139 --> 00:11:12.600 and forbidding tribute to Caesar 00:11:12.600 --> 00:11:13.800 and saying that he himself 00:11:13.800 --> 00:11:15.200 is Christ, a king. 00:11:15.440 --> 00:11:16.420 Now, if you've been reading 00:11:16.420 --> 00:11:17.560 through Luke's gospel 00:11:17.560 --> 00:11:18.940 up to this point, 00:11:19.820 --> 00:11:21.600 you know immediately 00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:23.960 that all these accusations 00:11:23.960 --> 00:11:26.040 are false and twisted. 00:11:27.720 --> 00:11:29.399 Jesus hadn't been corrupting 00:11:29.399 --> 00:11:30.300 the nation of Israel. 00:11:31.080 --> 00:11:32.620 It was already corrupt 00:11:32.620 --> 00:11:34.019 long before Jesus arrived. 00:11:34.019 --> 00:11:36.000 John the Baptist had proclaimed that 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:37.759 even before Jesus came on the scene 00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:40.179 and called people to repentance. 00:11:41.699 --> 00:11:42.600 And the temple leaders 00:11:42.600 --> 00:11:44.159 were perpetuating that corruption 00:11:44.159 --> 00:11:46.679 through their love of honor and power. 00:11:50.199 --> 00:11:51.659 Jesus had never forbade 00:11:51.659 --> 00:11:52.919 paying taxes to Caesar. 00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:55.259 In fact, he had pointed to a coin 00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:56.480 with Caesar's image on it 00:11:56.480 --> 00:11:56.840 and said, 00:11:57.039 --> 00:11:58.419 give to Caesar what is Caesar's. 00:12:00.279 --> 00:12:01.419 And interestingly, 00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:02.620 in Luke's gospel, 00:12:02.620 --> 00:12:04.580 Jesus never publicly claims 00:12:04.580 --> 00:12:06.000 to be the Messiah, 00:12:06.340 --> 00:12:06.919 the Christ. 00:12:08.039 --> 00:12:09.060 Now, you might ask why 00:12:09.060 --> 00:12:10.679 because Jesus obviously believed 00:12:10.679 --> 00:12:12.539 that he was the true Messiah 00:12:12.539 --> 00:12:14.200 prophesied in the scriptures. 00:12:15.560 --> 00:12:17.279 But see, in those days, 00:12:17.720 --> 00:12:19.440 nearly everyone expected 00:12:19.440 --> 00:12:20.379 that the Messiah 00:12:20.379 --> 00:12:22.360 would be a military leader 00:12:22.360 --> 00:12:23.419 who would lead a revolt. 00:12:24.179 --> 00:12:25.940 And many men had arisen 00:12:25.940 --> 00:12:27.580 even in Jesus' time 00:12:27.580 --> 00:12:29.440 and in the century or two beforehand 00:12:29.440 --> 00:12:31.220 who had led military, 00:12:31.340 --> 00:12:32.680 who had claimed to be the Messiah, 00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:34.700 who had led military uprisings, 00:12:34.820 --> 00:12:36.160 tried to drive out the Romans 00:12:36.160 --> 00:12:39.180 and establish an independent Jewish nation. 00:12:39.280 --> 00:12:40.080 They had all failed. 00:12:40.400 --> 00:12:41.580 But that was the meaning, 00:12:41.780 --> 00:12:43.160 the primary meaning of the term 00:12:43.160 --> 00:12:44.140 in people's minds 00:12:44.140 --> 00:12:45.640 in those days. 00:12:47.520 --> 00:12:49.300 And so Jesus never publicly 00:12:49.300 --> 00:12:50.420 introduced himself 00:12:50.420 --> 00:12:51.880 using that title 00:12:51.880 --> 00:12:54.100 because it was so widely misunderstood. 00:12:54.100 --> 00:12:56.800 And because he was 00:12:56.800 --> 00:12:58.700 such a different kind 00:12:58.700 --> 00:13:00.019 of Messiah 00:13:00.019 --> 00:13:01.259 than people expected. 00:13:03.580 --> 00:13:05.180 So Jesus was shamefully beaten. 00:13:05.340 --> 00:13:06.680 He was forcibly interrogated. 00:13:06.740 --> 00:13:07.740 He was falsely accused. 00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:08.740 And then that's not all. 00:13:08.820 --> 00:13:09.820 Verses 6 to 12, 00:13:10.759 --> 00:13:12.100 Jesus was openly ridiculed. 00:13:12.100 --> 00:13:15.899 He was brought to Herod. 00:13:17.279 --> 00:13:18.440 Herod was the tetrarch, 00:13:18.860 --> 00:13:20.100 the ruler over Galilee 00:13:20.100 --> 00:13:23.540 where Jesus had done 00:13:23.540 --> 00:13:24.639 much of his public ministry 00:13:24.639 --> 00:13:26.180 and he was in Jerusalem 00:13:26.180 --> 00:13:27.019 likely visiting 00:13:27.019 --> 00:13:28.800 to keep tabs on things 00:13:28.800 --> 00:13:29.639 during the Passover. 00:13:32.560 --> 00:13:33.560 So Pilate says, 00:13:33.659 --> 00:13:35.980 well, I'll send him over to Herod. 00:13:36.580 --> 00:13:37.879 See what Herod wants to do with him. 00:13:37.960 --> 00:13:39.120 Maybe Herod will make a decision 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:40.100 so I don't have to. 00:13:40.100 --> 00:13:42.759 Maybe Herod will become an ally 00:13:42.759 --> 00:13:43.600 even if he doesn't want 00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:44.560 to decide this case. 00:13:44.600 --> 00:13:45.159 Either way, 00:13:45.920 --> 00:13:46.840 I think it'll 00:13:46.840 --> 00:13:48.899 be a positive thing. 00:13:50.560 --> 00:13:51.879 But Herod just saw it 00:13:51.879 --> 00:13:55.720 as sort of an amusement. 00:13:57.680 --> 00:13:58.360 Verse 8, 00:13:58.480 --> 00:13:59.460 when Herod saw Jesus, 00:13:59.560 --> 00:14:00.360 he was very glad 00:14:00.360 --> 00:14:01.320 for he had long desire 00:14:01.320 --> 00:14:02.040 to see him 00:14:02.040 --> 00:14:04.160 because he had heard about him 00:14:04.160 --> 00:14:05.279 and he was hoping to see 00:14:05.279 --> 00:14:06.899 some sign 00:14:06.899 --> 00:14:08.279 done by him. 00:14:08.279 --> 00:14:10.539 notice that Herod 00:14:10.539 --> 00:14:11.600 didn't want to hear 00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:13.559 what Jesus had to say. 00:14:15.559 --> 00:14:16.519 Herod just wanted 00:14:16.519 --> 00:14:17.459 to see Jesus 00:14:17.459 --> 00:14:19.620 do something spectacular. 00:14:21.039 --> 00:14:21.879 A miracle 00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:23.279 or Herod wanted 00:14:23.279 --> 00:14:24.279 some exciting 00:14:24.279 --> 00:14:25.539 spiritual experience 00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:26.379 to be able to 00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:27.100 check off 00:14:27.100 --> 00:14:28.579 something else 00:14:28.579 --> 00:14:29.639 on his bucket list. 00:14:32.100 --> 00:14:32.899 But when Jesus 00:14:32.899 --> 00:14:33.579 didn't provide 00:14:33.579 --> 00:14:34.279 the entertainment 00:14:34.279 --> 00:14:35.959 that Pilate desired, 00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:37.199 that Herod desired, 00:14:37.200 --> 00:14:39.460 Herod decided 00:14:39.460 --> 00:14:40.540 to make a comedy show 00:14:40.540 --> 00:14:41.420 out of it himself. 00:14:43.280 --> 00:14:44.340 Dressing Jesus up 00:14:44.340 --> 00:14:45.340 in royal robes, 00:14:46.060 --> 00:14:46.660 sending him back 00:14:46.660 --> 00:14:47.280 to Pilate, 00:14:48.140 --> 00:14:48.960 mocking his claim 00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:50.200 to be a king. 00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:53.379 Herod didn't even 00:14:53.379 --> 00:14:54.520 take Jesus seriously. 00:14:58.980 --> 00:14:59.800 And finally, 00:15:00.680 --> 00:15:02.020 in verses 13 to 25, 00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:03.259 Jesus was unjustly 00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:03.980 condemned. 00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:06.379 Three times, 00:15:06.460 --> 00:15:07.019 verse 4, 00:15:07.139 --> 00:15:07.759 verse 15, 00:15:07.840 --> 00:15:08.680 and verse 22, 00:15:09.060 --> 00:15:09.800 Jesus heard 00:15:09.800 --> 00:15:11.060 Pilate pronounce 00:15:11.060 --> 00:15:12.320 a not guilty 00:15:12.320 --> 00:15:13.000 verdict. 00:15:13.639 --> 00:15:14.480 And every time, 00:15:15.180 --> 00:15:16.639 the leaders 00:15:16.639 --> 00:15:17.300 objected 00:15:17.300 --> 00:15:19.600 and every time, 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:20.500 Pilate 00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:21.100 backpedaled. 00:15:22.200 --> 00:15:23.539 The first time, 00:15:24.820 --> 00:15:25.379 Pilate sent 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:25.620 him over 00:15:25.620 --> 00:15:26.060 to Herod. 00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:29.759 The second time, 00:15:30.440 --> 00:15:30.960 Pilate offered 00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:31.519 to punish 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:32.420 and then release 00:15:32.420 --> 00:15:32.659 him. 00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:33.579 Now that word 00:15:33.579 --> 00:15:34.079 punish 00:15:34.079 --> 00:15:36.019 referred to 00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:36.620 a severe 00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:37.559 flogging, 00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:38.860 a whipping, 00:15:39.799 --> 00:15:40.500 using a leather 00:15:40.500 --> 00:15:41.679 whip containing 00:15:41.679 --> 00:15:42.600 pieces of bone 00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:43.319 and metal. 00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:46.659 And the third time, 00:15:46.719 --> 00:15:48.039 Pilate granted 00:15:48.039 --> 00:15:48.679 their demand 00:15:48.679 --> 00:15:50.100 and handed 00:15:50.100 --> 00:15:50.620 Jesus over 00:15:50.620 --> 00:15:51.299 to be crucified. 00:15:53.719 --> 00:15:54.620 Jesus was at 00:15:54.620 --> 00:15:54.959 the mercy 00:15:54.959 --> 00:15:55.600 of a corrupt 00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:57.139 judicial system. 00:15:58.720 --> 00:15:59.639 And at the end 00:15:59.639 --> 00:16:00.139 of the day, 00:16:01.199 --> 00:16:02.019 justice was not 00:16:02.019 --> 00:16:02.299 done. 00:16:04.799 --> 00:16:05.740 So we see 00:16:05.740 --> 00:16:06.679 Jesus shamefully 00:16:06.679 --> 00:16:07.000 beaten, 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:07.600 forcibly 00:16:07.600 --> 00:16:08.319 interrogated, 00:16:08.480 --> 00:16:09.279 falsely accused, 00:16:09.460 --> 00:16:10.399 openly ridiculed, 00:16:10.699 --> 00:16:11.539 and unjustly 00:16:11.539 --> 00:16:12.199 condemned. 00:16:13.779 --> 00:16:14.579 Consider the 00:16:14.579 --> 00:16:15.120 sufferings 00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:16.159 Jesus endured. 00:16:18.740 --> 00:16:19.720 But second, 00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:20.360 consider 00:16:20.360 --> 00:16:22.740 the steadfastness 00:16:22.740 --> 00:16:23.399 Jesus 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:24.480 displayed. 00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:27.279 Through all 00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:28.240 these sufferings 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:29.079 that he endured, 00:16:29.080 --> 00:16:29.900 Jesus 00:16:29.900 --> 00:16:30.080 didn't 00:16:30.080 --> 00:16:31.759 crack. 00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:34.920 He didn't 00:16:34.920 --> 00:16:35.900 explode in 00:16:35.900 --> 00:16:37.020 fury and rage. 00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:37.420 He didn't 00:16:37.420 --> 00:16:38.379 crumple up in a 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.180 ball of despair. 00:16:39.420 --> 00:16:39.759 He didn't 00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:40.560 plead guilty 00:16:40.560 --> 00:16:41.400 to false 00:16:41.400 --> 00:16:42.080 accusations 00:16:42.080 --> 00:16:42.720 that were being 00:16:42.720 --> 00:16:43.820 thrown at him. 00:16:44.860 --> 00:16:45.620 He didn't 00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:46.540 break down. 00:16:47.420 --> 00:16:48.460 Through it all, 00:16:48.540 --> 00:16:49.220 he remained 00:16:49.220 --> 00:16:50.700 steadfast. 00:16:50.700 --> 00:16:50.820 steadfast. 00:16:54.680 --> 00:16:55.200 Consider 00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:55.500 Jesus' 00:16:55.660 --> 00:16:56.500 steadfastness. 00:16:57.420 --> 00:16:57.879 Consider how 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:58.500 Jesus remains 00:16:58.500 --> 00:16:59.240 steadfast in 00:16:59.240 --> 00:16:59.980 his answers, 00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:01.020 in his words. 00:17:02.020 --> 00:17:02.460 At the end 00:17:02.460 --> 00:17:03.420 of chapter 22, 00:17:03.700 --> 00:17:04.279 in the beginning 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:05.240 of chapter 23, 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:05.960 Luke records 00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:07.480 three questions 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:09.420 posed to 00:17:09.420 --> 00:17:09.880 Jesus, 00:17:10.660 --> 00:17:11.799 and three answers 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:12.779 that Jesus 00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:13.240 gave. 00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:14.980 Now, 00:17:15.039 --> 00:17:15.400 obviously, 00:17:15.539 --> 00:17:15.819 Luke is 00:17:15.819 --> 00:17:16.779 presenting an 00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:17.559 abridged version, 00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:18.180 a summary, 00:17:18.180 --> 00:17:19.340 of the trial 00:17:19.340 --> 00:17:19.920 proceedings. 00:17:20.100 --> 00:17:20.539 Matthew and 00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:21.500 Mark include 00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:21.880 some other 00:17:21.880 --> 00:17:22.640 details about 00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:24.200 the hearing 00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:24.680 before the 00:17:24.680 --> 00:17:25.039 council, 00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:26.380 and John 00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:27.160 relates a 00:17:27.160 --> 00:17:27.940 longer conversation 00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:28.580 between Jesus 00:17:28.580 --> 00:17:29.200 and Pilate. 00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:30.620 But Luke 00:17:30.620 --> 00:17:31.799 highlights three 00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:32.860 questions, 00:17:33.360 --> 00:17:34.640 and they all 00:17:34.640 --> 00:17:35.799 focus on 00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:36.920 the identity 00:17:36.920 --> 00:17:38.140 of Jesus. 00:17:39.400 --> 00:17:40.620 Verse 67, 00:17:41.340 --> 00:17:42.240 if you are 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:42.860 the Christ, 00:17:43.580 --> 00:17:44.160 the Messiah, 00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:45.680 tell us. 00:17:46.560 --> 00:17:47.539 Verse 70, 00:17:48.180 --> 00:17:49.480 are you the 00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:49.980 Son of God 00:17:49.980 --> 00:17:50.279 then? 00:17:51.600 --> 00:17:52.279 Verse 3, 00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:54.000 are you the 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:54.380 King of the 00:17:54.380 --> 00:17:54.700 Jews? 00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:57.880 These are all 00:17:57.880 --> 00:17:58.640 questions about 00:17:58.640 --> 00:18:00.320 the core of 00:18:00.320 --> 00:18:01.340 who Jesus 00:18:01.340 --> 00:18:02.180 was claiming 00:18:02.180 --> 00:18:02.960 to be. 00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:05.299 Now, 00:18:05.380 --> 00:18:05.860 at one level, 00:18:05.940 --> 00:18:06.299 when you look 00:18:06.299 --> 00:18:06.620 at Jesus' 00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:07.299 answers, 00:18:07.900 --> 00:18:08.560 Jesus doesn't 00:18:08.560 --> 00:18:09.299 just give a 00:18:09.299 --> 00:18:09.759 straightforward 00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:11.160 yes or no 00:18:11.160 --> 00:18:11.880 to these 00:18:11.880 --> 00:18:12.799 three questions. 00:18:12.799 --> 00:18:12.919 Jesus. 00:18:15.919 --> 00:18:16.859 And if you 00:18:16.859 --> 00:18:17.399 look throughout 00:18:17.399 --> 00:18:18.159 the Gospels, 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:18.960 when people 00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:19.500 come to 00:18:19.500 --> 00:18:20.419 Jesus with 00:18:20.419 --> 00:18:21.659 sincere and 00:18:21.659 --> 00:18:22.119 straightforward 00:18:22.119 --> 00:18:22.819 questions, 00:18:22.819 --> 00:18:23.339 when people 00:18:23.339 --> 00:18:24.240 really want 00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:24.759 to learn 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:25.279 from him, 00:18:25.399 --> 00:18:25.720 Jesus 00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:26.500 consistently 00:18:26.500 --> 00:18:27.419 gives people 00:18:27.419 --> 00:18:28.599 sincere and 00:18:28.599 --> 00:18:29.240 straightforward 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:30.279 answers. 00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:32.940 A scribe 00:18:32.940 --> 00:18:33.279 came to 00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:33.759 Jesus and 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:33.799 said, 00:18:33.839 --> 00:18:34.099 Teacher, 00:18:34.419 --> 00:18:35.299 what is the 00:18:35.299 --> 00:18:35.579 greatest 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:36.099 commandment 00:18:36.099 --> 00:18:36.359 in the 00:18:36.359 --> 00:18:36.659 law? 00:18:36.660 --> 00:18:38.400 And Jesus 00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:38.680 says, 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:39.200 love the 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:39.560 Lord your 00:18:39.560 --> 00:18:40.560 God with 00:18:40.560 --> 00:18:40.880 all your 00:18:40.880 --> 00:18:41.279 heart, 00:18:41.620 --> 00:18:41.960 soul, 00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:42.640 mind, 00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:43.279 and strength, 00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:43.900 and love 00:18:43.900 --> 00:18:44.279 your neighbor 00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:45.040 as yourself. 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:49.700 But sometimes 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:50.420 people didn't 00:18:50.420 --> 00:18:51.040 come to Jesus 00:18:51.040 --> 00:18:51.800 with sincere 00:18:51.800 --> 00:18:52.480 and straightforward 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:53.140 questions. 00:18:53.340 --> 00:18:53.820 They approached 00:18:53.820 --> 00:18:54.420 Jesus with 00:18:54.420 --> 00:18:55.660 loaded questions, 00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:56.200 trying to 00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:56.820 trick him, 00:18:57.540 --> 00:18:58.019 trying to 00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:58.600 trap him. 00:19:00.019 --> 00:19:00.500 And in 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:01.380 those cases, 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:02.460 Jesus usually 00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:03.400 did not answer 00:19:03.400 --> 00:19:04.180 them directly. 00:19:05.220 --> 00:19:06.080 He often 00:19:06.080 --> 00:19:06.640 answered a 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:07.180 question with 00:19:07.180 --> 00:19:07.980 another question, 00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:09.600 or he spoke 00:19:09.600 --> 00:19:10.259 in a parable, 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:12.100 or he directly 00:19:12.100 --> 00:19:12.880 challenged the 00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:13.700 motives of the 00:19:13.700 --> 00:19:14.200 person who 00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:14.700 was asking. 00:19:16.020 --> 00:19:16.360 You see, 00:19:16.440 --> 00:19:17.259 Jesus did not 00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:18.100 allow people 00:19:18.100 --> 00:19:18.640 who were trying 00:19:18.640 --> 00:19:19.500 to trick and 00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:20.640 trap him to 00:19:20.640 --> 00:19:21.660 completely dictate 00:19:21.660 --> 00:19:23.000 the terms of 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:23.759 the conversation. 00:19:25.780 --> 00:19:26.380 So, 00:19:26.560 --> 00:19:27.300 we see here, 00:19:27.660 --> 00:19:28.500 in verse 67, 00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:29.240 he challenged 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:30.000 the motives of 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:30.500 the council. 00:19:32.180 --> 00:19:33.220 If I tell 00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:35.259 you that I'm 00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:35.800 the Messiah, 00:19:35.799 --> 00:19:37.200 you won't 00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:37.680 believe. 00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:39.019 And if I 00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:39.740 ask you, 00:19:39.819 --> 00:19:40.259 who do you 00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:40.839 say that I 00:19:40.839 --> 00:19:41.079 am, 00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:41.500 you won't 00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:41.899 answer. 00:19:42.299 --> 00:19:42.740 Jesus had 00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:43.619 already asked 00:19:43.619 --> 00:19:44.599 them multiple 00:19:44.599 --> 00:19:45.319 questions, 00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:46.539 throughout chapter 00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:47.379 20 especially, 00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:48.700 and they had 00:19:48.700 --> 00:19:49.519 refused to 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:50.119 answer him. 00:19:52.619 --> 00:19:53.500 Did John the 00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:54.259 Baptist's authority 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:55.019 come from heaven 00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:55.859 or from men, 00:19:55.919 --> 00:19:56.480 he had asked? 00:19:58.220 --> 00:19:58.980 Was it from 00:19:58.980 --> 00:20:00.839 God or just 00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:01.579 a human initiative? 00:20:01.579 --> 00:20:03.059 And they 00:20:03.059 --> 00:20:03.720 refused to 00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:04.079 answer. 00:20:07.099 --> 00:20:07.480 You see, 00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:09.720 Jesus challenged 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:10.339 them because 00:20:10.339 --> 00:20:11.059 their problem 00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:13.519 was not a 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:14.039 lack of 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:14.699 evidence, 00:20:15.699 --> 00:20:17.460 but a lack 00:20:17.460 --> 00:20:18.099 of openness 00:20:18.099 --> 00:20:18.759 to even 00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:19.359 consider 00:20:19.359 --> 00:20:20.980 whether he 00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:21.279 was the 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:21.659 Messiah. 00:20:23.139 --> 00:20:23.939 And then in 00:20:23.939 --> 00:20:24.599 verse 70 and 00:20:24.599 --> 00:20:25.039 verse 3, 00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:26.099 he again challenged 00:20:26.099 --> 00:20:26.759 his accusers. 00:20:26.899 --> 00:20:27.960 You say that I 00:20:27.960 --> 00:20:28.259 am. 00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:29.539 You say so. 00:20:29.539 --> 00:20:30.599 You see, 00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:31.079 Jesus was 00:20:31.079 --> 00:20:31.960 challenging them, 00:20:32.639 --> 00:20:33.440 what do you 00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:33.839 say? 00:20:34.539 --> 00:20:35.460 Where do you 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:35.859 stand? 00:20:36.859 --> 00:20:37.819 Who are you 00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:38.599 saying that I 00:20:38.599 --> 00:20:39.000 am? 00:20:40.839 --> 00:20:41.819 He wants 00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:42.220 them to 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:43.000 consider that 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:44.519 all-important 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:45.359 question. 00:20:48.039 --> 00:20:48.819 But while 00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:49.680 Jesus challenged 00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:50.420 the motives of 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:51.279 his questioners, 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:52.099 he remained 00:20:52.099 --> 00:20:52.899 steadfast in 00:20:52.899 --> 00:20:53.519 his claims. 00:20:55.399 --> 00:20:55.639 Jesus' 00:20:55.819 --> 00:20:56.359 answers to 00:20:56.359 --> 00:20:56.819 these three 00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:57.599 questions were 00:20:57.599 --> 00:20:58.519 not ultimately 00:20:58.519 --> 00:20:59.259 evasive 00:20:59.259 --> 00:21:00.079 or unclear 00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:00.940 or ambiguous. 00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:01.920 It was 00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:02.640 pretty clear 00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:03.940 to everyone 00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:05.019 present who 00:21:05.019 --> 00:21:05.680 Jesus was 00:21:05.680 --> 00:21:06.379 claiming to 00:21:06.379 --> 00:21:06.660 be. 00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:12.379 Verse 69, 00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:14.339 the answer 00:21:14.339 --> 00:21:14.759 to the first 00:21:14.759 --> 00:21:15.119 question, 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:15.599 Jesus says, 00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:16.400 from now on, 00:21:16.759 --> 00:21:17.200 the Son of 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:18.779 Man shall be 00:21:18.779 --> 00:21:19.379 seated at the 00:21:19.379 --> 00:21:20.019 right hand of 00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:20.700 the power of 00:21:20.700 --> 00:21:21.079 God. 00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:22.680 Throughout his 00:21:22.680 --> 00:21:23.019 ministry, 00:21:23.140 --> 00:21:23.519 Jesus had 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:24.180 referred to 00:21:24.180 --> 00:21:25.240 himself as 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:26.000 the Son of 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:26.359 Man. 00:21:26.359 --> 00:21:26.399 man. 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.639 And here he 00:21:28.639 --> 00:21:29.299 says that he 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:29.839 will be 00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:30.419 exalted, 00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:30.979 he will 00:21:30.979 --> 00:21:31.500 reign at 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:32.079 God's 00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:32.779 own 00:21:32.779 --> 00:21:33.479 right 00:21:33.479 --> 00:21:34.279 hand. 00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:36.579 And then 00:21:36.579 --> 00:21:36.939 when Jesus 00:21:36.939 --> 00:21:38.219 said in 00:21:38.219 --> 00:21:38.839 verse 70, 00:21:39.619 --> 00:21:40.419 in verse 3, 00:21:41.099 --> 00:21:41.639 when they said, 00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:42.059 are you the 00:21:42.059 --> 00:21:42.659 Son of God, 00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:43.079 are you the 00:21:43.079 --> 00:21:43.500 King of the 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:43.779 Jews, 00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:44.079 and he 00:21:44.079 --> 00:21:44.299 said, 00:21:44.379 --> 00:21:44.799 you say 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:45.199 that I 00:21:45.199 --> 00:21:45.459 am, 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:45.740 or you 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:46.159 have said 00:21:46.159 --> 00:21:46.599 so, 00:21:47.159 --> 00:21:48.799 a similar 00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:49.599 phrase is 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:50.219 used about 00:21:50.219 --> 00:21:51.079 ten times in 00:21:51.079 --> 00:21:51.359 the Old 00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:51.759 Testament, 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:52.619 and it 00:21:52.619 --> 00:21:53.680 always means 00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:54.259 yes. 00:21:54.879 --> 00:21:55.539 It always 00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:56.359 indicates an 00:21:56.359 --> 00:21:56.839 affirmative 00:21:56.839 --> 00:21:57.720 response. 00:21:58.140 --> 00:21:58.259 So, 00:21:58.359 --> 00:21:58.799 for example, 00:21:59.000 --> 00:21:59.379 Pharaoh, 00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:00.879 another hostile 00:22:00.879 --> 00:22:01.319 ruler, 00:22:02.200 --> 00:22:02.680 comes to 00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:03.740 Moses in 00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:04.379 Exodus chapter 00:22:04.379 --> 00:22:04.680 10, 00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:05.359 verse 28, 00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:06.740 and Pharaoh 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:06.980 says, 00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:07.400 get away 00:22:07.400 --> 00:22:07.859 from me. 00:22:08.879 --> 00:22:09.319 And Moses 00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:09.779 says, 00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:11.559 as you 00:22:11.559 --> 00:22:11.879 say, 00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:13.599 you say 00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:13.960 so, 00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:15.259 I won't 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:15.539 see your 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:16.019 face again. 00:22:17.640 --> 00:22:18.119 So, 00:22:18.200 --> 00:22:18.480 when Jesus 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:18.859 says, 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:19.599 you say 00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:19.980 so, 00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:20.379 or you 00:22:20.379 --> 00:22:21.339 say that 00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:21.720 I am, 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:22.299 he's not 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:23.720 being tricky 00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:24.339 and ambiguous 00:22:24.339 --> 00:22:25.039 and unclear 00:22:25.039 --> 00:22:25.859 and avoiding 00:22:25.859 --> 00:22:26.459 the question. 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.079 He's saying, 00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:29.579 you just 00:22:29.579 --> 00:22:29.959 said it. 00:22:31.599 --> 00:22:32.220 Do you 00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:32.699 realize what 00:22:32.699 --> 00:22:32.980 you just 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:33.220 said? 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:34.980 You just 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:35.399 said it. 00:22:38.159 --> 00:22:38.399 So, 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:38.679 Jesus 00:22:38.679 --> 00:22:39.059 remains 00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:39.639 steadfast 00:22:39.639 --> 00:22:40.079 in his 00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:40.579 answers. 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.399 But notice 00:22:43.399 --> 00:22:44.240 how also 00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:44.559 Jesus 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:45.039 remains 00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:45.779 steadfast 00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:46.399 in his 00:22:46.399 --> 00:22:46.959 silence. 00:22:48.819 --> 00:22:49.159 Aside 00:22:49.159 --> 00:22:49.720 from his 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:50.759 brief answers, 00:22:51.339 --> 00:22:52.159 to these 00:22:52.159 --> 00:22:52.419 three 00:22:52.419 --> 00:22:53.139 questions, 00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:54.299 Jesus 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:55.379 remained 00:22:55.379 --> 00:22:56.259 silent 00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:57.379 in the 00:22:57.379 --> 00:22:57.740 face of 00:22:57.740 --> 00:22:57.879 his 00:22:57.879 --> 00:22:58.459 accusers. 00:22:59.699 --> 00:23:00.259 Why? 00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:02.599 Well, 00:23:02.639 --> 00:23:02.799 in the 00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:03.359 ancient world, 00:23:03.439 --> 00:23:03.799 probably 00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:04.740 many people 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:05.079 would have 00:23:05.079 --> 00:23:05.679 recognized 00:23:05.679 --> 00:23:06.000 Jesus' 00:23:06.199 --> 00:23:06.619 silence 00:23:06.619 --> 00:23:07.039 as an 00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:07.459 expression 00:23:07.459 --> 00:23:07.720 of 00:23:07.720 --> 00:23:08.500 self-control 00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:10.019 or even 00:23:10.019 --> 00:23:10.559 nobility. 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:13.220 But even 00:23:13.220 --> 00:23:13.619 more than 00:23:13.619 --> 00:23:13.959 that, 00:23:14.459 --> 00:23:14.919 it's how 00:23:14.919 --> 00:23:15.359 the prophet 00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:15.899 Isaiah 00:23:15.899 --> 00:23:16.779 described 00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:17.379 the 00:23:17.379 --> 00:23:17.920 suffering 00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:18.500 servant 00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:19.220 of God. 00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:20.859 As we 00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:21.480 read earlier, 00:23:22.859 --> 00:23:23.579 Isaiah 53, 00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:24.019 7, 00:23:24.099 --> 00:23:24.279 he was 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:24.700 oppressed 00:23:24.700 --> 00:23:24.980 and he 00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:25.639 was afflicted, 00:23:25.899 --> 00:23:26.200 yet he 00:23:26.200 --> 00:23:27.000 opened not 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:27.680 his mouth. 00:23:30.319 --> 00:23:31.119 Like a 00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:31.839 sheep that 00:23:31.839 --> 00:23:32.559 before its 00:23:32.559 --> 00:23:33.259 shears is 00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:33.660 silent, 00:23:34.379 --> 00:23:34.819 so he 00:23:34.819 --> 00:23:35.879 opened not 00:23:35.879 --> 00:23:36.660 his mouth. 00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:38.000 And by 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:38.759 oppression and 00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:39.059 judgment, 00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:39.720 he was taken 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:40.259 away. 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:42.480 And we 00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:43.099 know that 00:23:43.099 --> 00:23:43.539 Luke had 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:44.099 this chapter 00:23:44.099 --> 00:23:44.819 in mind 00:23:44.819 --> 00:23:46.279 because in 00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:47.480 chapter 22, 00:23:47.599 --> 00:23:48.379 verse 37, 00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:50.099 Luke has 00:23:50.099 --> 00:23:50.879 already referred 00:23:50.879 --> 00:23:52.059 to that 00:23:52.059 --> 00:23:52.759 very chapter. 00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:55.079 And Jesus 00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:55.559 has said, 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.319 the words 00:23:56.319 --> 00:23:56.940 of this 00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:57.400 prophecy 00:23:57.400 --> 00:23:58.200 are being 00:23:58.200 --> 00:23:58.779 fulfilled 00:23:58.779 --> 00:24:00.420 in me. 00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:02.619 Luke 00:24:02.619 --> 00:24:03.460 wants us 00:24:03.460 --> 00:24:03.960 to see 00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:04.579 in Jesus' 00:24:05.079 --> 00:24:05.759 steadfast 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:06.779 silence 00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:09.799 that he 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:11.000 is that 00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:11.559 suffering 00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:12.159 servant 00:24:12.159 --> 00:24:13.039 of God. 00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:14.759 The 00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:15.339 sacrificial 00:24:15.339 --> 00:24:15.859 lamb who 00:24:15.859 --> 00:24:16.240 had come 00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:16.599 to take 00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:17.059 away the 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:17.440 sins of 00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:18.019 the world. 00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:23.259 Again, 00:24:23.399 --> 00:24:23.799 as Isaiah 00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:24.319 53, 00:24:24.440 --> 00:24:24.859 verse 6 00:24:24.859 --> 00:24:25.240 says, 00:24:25.639 --> 00:24:26.139 all we 00:24:26.139 --> 00:24:26.740 like sheep 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:27.119 have gone 00:24:27.119 --> 00:24:27.619 astray 00:24:27.619 --> 00:24:29.139 and each 00:24:29.139 --> 00:24:29.419 of us 00:24:29.419 --> 00:24:29.819 has turned 00:24:29.819 --> 00:24:30.139 to his 00:24:30.139 --> 00:24:30.599 own way 00:24:30.599 --> 00:24:30.859 and the 00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:31.259 Lord has 00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:31.659 laid on 00:24:31.659 --> 00:24:31.940 him. 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:33.480 The 00:24:33.480 --> 00:24:34.119 steadfast, 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:35.200 silent, 00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:36.139 suffering 00:24:36.139 --> 00:24:36.940 servant, 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:38.139 the 00:24:38.139 --> 00:24:38.599 sacrificial 00:24:38.599 --> 00:24:38.960 lamb. 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:40.519 The 00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:40.879 iniquity 00:24:40.879 --> 00:24:41.180 of us 00:24:41.180 --> 00:24:41.440 all. 00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:44.220 And that 00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:44.599 brings us 00:24:44.599 --> 00:24:44.859 now to 00:24:44.859 --> 00:24:45.259 our last 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:45.659 point. 00:24:46.879 --> 00:24:47.119 The 00:24:47.119 --> 00:24:47.599 sufferings 00:24:47.599 --> 00:24:47.879 Jesus 00:24:47.879 --> 00:24:48.339 endured, 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:48.639 the 00:24:48.639 --> 00:24:49.319 steadfastness 00:24:49.319 --> 00:24:49.440 he 00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:49.919 displayed, 00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:50.460 and finally 00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:50.680 the 00:24:50.680 --> 00:24:51.240 salvation 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:52.099 Jesus 00:24:52.099 --> 00:24:52.859 secured. 00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:53.659 You see, 00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:53.980 Jesus' 00:24:54.159 --> 00:24:54.899 steadfastness 00:24:54.899 --> 00:24:55.259 in his 00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:55.720 sufferings 00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:56.159 is not 00:24:56.159 --> 00:24:56.779 simply a 00:24:56.779 --> 00:24:57.279 model for 00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:57.639 us to 00:24:57.639 --> 00:24:58.119 admire 00:24:58.119 --> 00:24:58.779 from a 00:24:58.779 --> 00:24:59.279 distance 00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:00.079 and look 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:00.859 back upon 00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:02.259 and try 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:03.180 hard to 00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:03.579 emulate 00:25:03.579 --> 00:25:04.839 and try 00:25:04.839 --> 00:25:05.299 hard to 00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:05.759 gather up 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:06.220 the courage 00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:06.639 for us 00:25:06.639 --> 00:25:07.000 to be 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:07.700 steadfast. 00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:08.419 No, 00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:08.759 Jesus' 00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:09.759 steadfastness 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.440 in his 00:25:10.440 --> 00:25:11.079 sufferings 00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:12.779 and 00:25:12.779 --> 00:25:13.299 Jesus' 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:14.119 steadfastness 00:25:14.119 --> 00:25:14.480 and Jesus' 00:25:14.619 --> 00:25:15.039 sufferings 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:15.420 are the 00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:15.839 very 00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:16.559 means 00:25:16.559 --> 00:25:17.160 of our 00:25:17.160 --> 00:25:17.759 salvation. 00:25:19.579 --> 00:25:20.200 And at 00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:20.519 the end 00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:20.799 of this 00:25:20.799 --> 00:25:21.319 passage, 00:25:21.619 --> 00:25:21.839 Luke 00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:22.259 gives us 00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:22.720 a picture 00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:23.420 of the 00:25:23.420 --> 00:25:23.920 salvation 00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:24.640 Jesus 00:25:24.640 --> 00:25:25.420 secured. 00:25:28.099 --> 00:25:28.599 Both 00:25:28.599 --> 00:25:29.019 Herod and 00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:29.480 Pilate had 00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:29.879 examined 00:25:29.879 --> 00:25:30.379 Jesus 00:25:30.379 --> 00:25:31.660 and found 00:25:31.660 --> 00:25:32.000 him not 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:32.319 guilty, 00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:32.660 but in 00:25:32.660 --> 00:25:33.200 verse 18 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:33.559 it says, 00:25:33.559 --> 00:25:34.099 they all 00:25:34.099 --> 00:25:34.599 cried out 00:25:34.599 --> 00:25:35.019 together, 00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:35.940 away with 00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:36.399 this man 00:25:36.399 --> 00:25:36.879 and released 00:25:36.879 --> 00:25:37.440 to us 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:38.559 Barabbas, 00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:40.740 a man who 00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:41.000 had been 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:41.440 thrown into 00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:41.980 prison for 00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:42.539 an insurrection 00:25:42.539 --> 00:25:43.200 started in 00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:43.639 the city 00:25:43.639 --> 00:25:44.859 and for 00:25:44.859 --> 00:25:45.119 murder. 00:25:48.319 --> 00:25:49.019 Jesus had 00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:49.480 been accused 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.099 of misleading 00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:50.700 the nation 00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:51.879 and stirring 00:25:51.879 --> 00:25:52.200 up the 00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:52.519 people. 00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:54.379 But the 00:25:54.379 --> 00:25:55.019 very people 00:25:55.019 --> 00:25:55.339 who were 00:25:55.339 --> 00:25:55.899 accusing 00:25:55.899 --> 00:25:56.519 Jesus of 00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:57.139 those things 00:25:57.139 --> 00:25:57.759 and demanding 00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:58.279 his death 00:25:58.279 --> 00:25:58.679 on that 00:25:58.679 --> 00:25:59.179 basis, 00:26:00.179 --> 00:26:00.500 in the 00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:01.079 next breath 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.559 demanded 00:26:01.559 --> 00:26:02.159 amnesty 00:26:02.159 --> 00:26:02.559 for a 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:04.899 man who 00:26:04.899 --> 00:26:05.299 was guilty 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:05.720 of those 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.319 very same 00:26:06.319 --> 00:26:06.939 things and 00:26:06.939 --> 00:26:07.539 even more 00:26:07.539 --> 00:26:07.879 who was 00:26:07.879 --> 00:26:08.319 guilty of 00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:08.599 murder. 00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:12.500 Now some 00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:13.259 people have 00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:13.639 questioned 00:26:13.639 --> 00:26:14.240 whether this 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:14.659 whole thing 00:26:14.659 --> 00:26:15.240 with Barabbas 00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:15.939 really happened 00:26:15.939 --> 00:26:18.240 because outside 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:18.559 the New 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:19.199 Testament we 00:26:19.199 --> 00:26:19.679 haven't yet 00:26:19.679 --> 00:26:20.299 found other 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:21.240 historical sources 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:21.839 that mention 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:22.460 Barabbas by 00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:24.019 name or 00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:24.579 that describe 00:26:24.579 --> 00:26:25.259 a custom of 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:26.000 Pilate releasing 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:26.679 one prisoner 00:26:26.679 --> 00:26:27.720 at Passover 00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:28.139 time. 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:30.159 But the 00:26:30.159 --> 00:26:30.759 name Barabbas 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.319 was a common 00:26:31.319 --> 00:26:32.059 Jewish name 00:26:32.059 --> 00:26:33.339 attested from 00:26:33.339 --> 00:26:33.779 before the 00:26:33.779 --> 00:26:34.119 time of 00:26:34.119 --> 00:26:34.500 Jesus. 00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:36.339 And many 00:26:36.339 --> 00:26:37.039 rulers both 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:37.339 then and 00:26:37.339 --> 00:26:37.779 now have 00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:38.339 exercised 00:26:38.339 --> 00:26:38.900 their authority 00:26:38.900 --> 00:26:39.339 to grant 00:26:39.339 --> 00:26:40.000 amnesty in 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:40.400 particular 00:26:40.400 --> 00:26:41.000 cases. 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:42.359 And all 00:26:42.359 --> 00:26:43.359 four Gospels 00:26:43.359 --> 00:26:44.359 Matthew, 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:45.059 Mark, 00:26:45.420 --> 00:26:45.660 Luke, 00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:46.400 and John 00:26:46.400 --> 00:26:48.039 testify to 00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:48.839 the exchange. 00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:50.900 Even the 00:26:50.900 --> 00:26:51.579 pagan Roman 00:26:51.579 --> 00:26:52.799 historian Tacitus 00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:53.440 though he 00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:54.019 doesn't mention 00:26:54.019 --> 00:26:55.680 Barabbas also 00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:56.359 writes that 00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:56.900 Jesus was 00:26:56.900 --> 00:26:57.799 crucified by 00:26:57.799 --> 00:26:58.680 sentence of 00:26:58.680 --> 00:26:59.140 Pontius 00:26:59.140 --> 00:26:59.619 Pilate. 00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:01.879 You see, 00:27:01.960 --> 00:27:02.539 this is not 00:27:02.539 --> 00:27:03.240 a fairy tale. 00:27:03.359 --> 00:27:03.839 This all 00:27:03.839 --> 00:27:04.640 really happened 00:27:04.640 --> 00:27:05.400 in history. 00:27:06.579 --> 00:27:07.220 But Luke 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:07.779 wants us to 00:27:07.779 --> 00:27:08.559 see not 00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:10.019 just that 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:11.019 Jesus was 00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:11.720 really sentenced 00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:12.359 to death 00:27:12.359 --> 00:27:13.319 by Pontius 00:27:13.319 --> 00:27:13.799 Pilate, 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:14.839 but Luke 00:27:14.839 --> 00:27:15.480 wants us to 00:27:15.480 --> 00:27:16.619 see why. 00:27:18.339 --> 00:27:18.940 Why 00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:19.879 was he 00:27:19.879 --> 00:27:20.460 given over 00:27:20.460 --> 00:27:21.059 to death? 00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:22.819 And he 00:27:22.819 --> 00:27:23.279 gives us a 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:24.200 clue in 00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:25.000 verse 25, 00:27:25.099 --> 00:27:25.579 the last 00:27:25.579 --> 00:27:26.000 verse in 00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:26.700 our passage. 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:28.500 Pilate 00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:29.059 released the 00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:30.299 man who 00:27:30.299 --> 00:27:30.559 had been 00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:30.980 thrown into 00:27:30.980 --> 00:27:31.480 prison for 00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:31.900 insurrection 00:27:31.900 --> 00:27:32.440 and murder 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:33.779 for whom 00:27:33.779 --> 00:27:34.440 they asked, 00:27:35.080 --> 00:27:35.500 but he 00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:36.340 delivered Jesus 00:27:36.340 --> 00:27:37.480 over to 00:27:37.480 --> 00:27:37.900 their will. 00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:40.160 He 00:27:40.160 --> 00:27:40.819 released 00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:41.720 Barabbas, 00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:42.519 the murderer, 00:27:43.360 --> 00:27:44.319 and he 00:27:44.319 --> 00:27:44.860 condemned 00:27:44.860 --> 00:27:45.860 Jesus, 00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:46.799 the innocent 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:47.259 one, 00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:48.620 to die. 00:27:50.620 --> 00:27:51.380 And in 00:27:51.380 --> 00:27:52.019 that verse 00:27:52.019 --> 00:27:52.559 we see a 00:27:52.559 --> 00:27:53.240 picture of 00:27:53.240 --> 00:27:53.920 the salvation 00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:55.560 Jesus secured. 00:27:56.960 --> 00:27:57.519 Jesus, 00:27:57.680 --> 00:27:58.160 the innocent 00:27:58.160 --> 00:27:58.759 one, 00:27:58.980 --> 00:27:59.820 was sentenced 00:27:59.820 --> 00:28:00.480 to death 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:02.539 so that 00:28:02.539 --> 00:28:03.400 guilty ones 00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:04.800 might live. 00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:06.640 Jesus was 00:28:06.640 --> 00:28:07.120 condemned 00:28:07.120 --> 00:28:07.900 so that 00:28:07.900 --> 00:28:09.180 sinners 00:28:09.180 --> 00:28:10.100 might be 00:28:10.100 --> 00:28:10.680 justified. 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:12.600 Freed from 00:28:12.600 --> 00:28:13.019 the guilt 00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:13.580 and penalty 00:28:13.580 --> 00:28:13.960 of their 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:14.300 sins, 00:28:14.420 --> 00:28:15.160 1 Peter 3 00:28:15.160 --> 00:28:15.880 18 says 00:28:15.880 --> 00:28:16.360 Christ 00:28:16.360 --> 00:28:17.100 suffered 00:28:17.100 --> 00:28:17.820 once for 00:28:17.820 --> 00:28:18.380 sins, 00:28:19.120 --> 00:28:19.759 the righteous 00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:21.019 for the 00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:21.759 unrighteous. 00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:24.079 that he 00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:24.579 might bring 00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:24.980 us to 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:25.339 God. 00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:28.000 This is 00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:28.400 the good 00:28:28.400 --> 00:28:28.940 news. 00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:30.579 That Jesus 00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:30.900 Christ 00:28:30.900 --> 00:28:31.539 suffered and 00:28:31.539 --> 00:28:32.039 bled and 00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:32.539 died in 00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:33.160 our place 00:28:33.160 --> 00:28:33.980 and on 00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:34.920 our behalf 00:28:34.920 --> 00:28:35.940 to release 00:28:35.940 --> 00:28:36.339 us from 00:28:36.339 --> 00:28:36.940 our sin 00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:37.519 and from 00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:38.099 its rightful 00:28:38.099 --> 00:28:38.599 punishment, 00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:39.379 to release 00:28:39.379 --> 00:28:39.740 us from 00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:40.339 the fear 00:28:40.339 --> 00:28:41.160 of death 00:28:41.160 --> 00:28:42.299 and condemnation, 00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:43.660 to make 00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:44.119 us right 00:28:44.119 --> 00:28:44.759 with God 00:28:44.759 --> 00:28:45.779 so that 00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:46.079 we can 00:28:46.079 --> 00:28:47.180 live with 00:28:47.180 --> 00:28:47.879 God, 00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:48.160 so that 00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:48.440 we can 00:28:48.440 --> 00:28:48.980 know that 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:49.740 God is 00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:50.299 with us 00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:51.000 and God 00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:51.539 is for 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:52.379 us now 00:28:52.379 --> 00:28:53.099 and forever. 00:28:55.119 --> 00:28:55.720 And you 00:28:55.720 --> 00:28:56.079 might say, 00:28:56.139 --> 00:28:56.519 how do I 00:28:56.519 --> 00:28:57.240 get that 00:28:57.240 --> 00:28:58.680 assurance? 00:28:59.919 --> 00:29:00.659 How do I 00:29:00.659 --> 00:29:01.220 get that 00:29:01.220 --> 00:29:01.980 promise? 00:29:03.059 --> 00:29:03.319 And the 00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:03.740 answer is 00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:04.019 simple, 00:29:04.099 --> 00:29:04.740 by trusting 00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:05.819 in Jesus, 00:29:06.919 --> 00:29:07.839 simply relying 00:29:07.839 --> 00:29:08.339 on what 00:29:08.339 --> 00:29:08.899 he's done 00:29:08.899 --> 00:29:09.779 and receiving 00:29:09.779 --> 00:29:10.440 the salvation 00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:11.180 that he has 00:29:11.180 --> 00:29:11.659 secured 00:29:11.659 --> 00:29:13.240 as a gift. 00:29:17.019 --> 00:29:17.619 If you 00:29:17.619 --> 00:29:17.859 want to 00:29:17.859 --> 00:29:18.779 trust Jesus 00:29:18.779 --> 00:29:19.419 today for 00:29:19.419 --> 00:29:19.799 the first 00:29:19.799 --> 00:29:20.240 time, 00:29:21.159 --> 00:29:22.159 contact one 00:29:22.159 --> 00:29:22.419 of us 00:29:22.419 --> 00:29:22.859 after the 00:29:22.859 --> 00:29:23.299 service 00:29:23.299 --> 00:29:25.059 by phone 00:29:25.059 --> 00:29:25.539 or email 00:29:25.539 --> 00:29:25.919 so we 00:29:25.919 --> 00:29:26.279 can pray 00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:26.799 with you 00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:27.680 and rejoice 00:29:27.680 --> 00:29:28.279 with you 00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:29.059 and help 00:29:29.059 --> 00:29:29.299 you get 00:29:29.299 --> 00:29:29.619 to know 00:29:29.619 --> 00:29:29.859 Jesus 00:29:29.859 --> 00:29:30.279 better. 00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:33.700 But for 00:29:33.700 --> 00:29:34.200 all of us 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:34.440 who have 00:29:34.440 --> 00:29:34.919 come to 00:29:34.919 --> 00:29:35.659 trust Jesus 00:29:35.659 --> 00:29:36.440 as our 00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:36.779 Savior 00:29:36.779 --> 00:29:37.639 and Lord, 00:29:39.819 --> 00:29:40.220 he 00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:41.139 remains 00:29:41.139 --> 00:29:41.480 our 00:29:41.480 --> 00:29:42.180 steadfast 00:29:42.180 --> 00:29:42.779 Savior 00:29:42.779 --> 00:29:43.599 today. 00:29:43.599 --> 00:29:47.539 and the 00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:47.919 same 00:29:47.919 --> 00:29:49.079 steadfastness 00:29:49.079 --> 00:29:50.219 that he 00:29:50.219 --> 00:29:51.519 shows 00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:52.039 here 00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:53.919 in the 00:29:53.919 --> 00:29:54.500 face of 00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:54.839 false 00:29:54.839 --> 00:29:55.619 accusations 00:29:55.619 --> 00:29:57.019 and open 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.779 ridicule 00:29:57.779 --> 00:29:59.639 and being 00:29:59.639 --> 00:30:00.199 shamefully 00:30:00.199 --> 00:30:00.899 beaten and 00:30:00.899 --> 00:30:01.599 mocked 00:30:01.599 --> 00:30:03.899 and forcibly 00:30:03.899 --> 00:30:04.740 interrogated 00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:06.740 and wrongfully 00:30:06.740 --> 00:30:07.339 executed, 00:30:07.339 --> 00:30:08.919 that same 00:30:08.919 --> 00:30:10.119 steadfastness 00:30:10.119 --> 00:30:12.179 he continues 00:30:12.179 --> 00:30:13.459 to hold 00:30:13.459 --> 00:30:14.079 out to us 00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:14.500 today 00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:16.879 as our 00:30:16.879 --> 00:30:17.759 heavenly 00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:18.259 advocate. 00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:23.480 this is a 00:30:23.480 --> 00:30:24.220 dark 00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:25.500 and challenging 00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:25.940 time that 00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:26.319 we're living 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:26.779 in and each 00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:27.180 of us may 00:30:27.180 --> 00:30:27.940 be experiencing 00:30:27.940 --> 00:30:29.039 that darkness 00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:29.519 in different 00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:29.960 ways. 00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:31.839 We may be 00:30:31.839 --> 00:30:33.119 feeling a 00:30:33.119 --> 00:30:33.599 threat to 00:30:33.599 --> 00:30:34.079 our physical 00:30:34.079 --> 00:30:34.579 health 00:30:34.579 --> 00:30:36.000 or our 00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:36.379 economic 00:30:36.379 --> 00:30:36.960 security 00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:37.720 or our 00:30:37.720 --> 00:30:38.259 psychological 00:30:38.259 --> 00:30:38.920 stability 00:30:38.920 --> 00:30:39.420 or our 00:30:39.420 --> 00:30:39.879 relational 00:30:39.879 --> 00:30:40.460 connections 00:30:40.460 --> 00:30:40.940 or our 00:30:40.940 --> 00:30:41.240 future 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:41.759 plans 00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:42.400 or even 00:30:42.400 --> 00:30:42.759 simply 00:30:42.759 --> 00:30:42.960 our 00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:43.619 personal 00:30:43.619 --> 00:30:44.279 freedoms. 00:30:47.180 --> 00:30:47.779 Sometimes 00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:48.240 we might 00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:48.639 feel like 00:30:48.639 --> 00:30:48.819 we're 00:30:48.819 --> 00:30:49.200 cracking 00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:49.920 under 00:30:49.920 --> 00:30:50.099 the 00:30:50.099 --> 00:30:50.460 pressure. 00:30:52.559 --> 00:30:53.119 Brothers 00:30:53.119 --> 00:30:53.700 and sisters, 00:30:53.879 --> 00:30:54.119 let us 00:30:54.119 --> 00:30:55.039 look to 00:30:55.039 --> 00:30:55.220 our 00:30:55.220 --> 00:30:55.879 steadfast 00:30:55.879 --> 00:30:56.519 Savior. 00:30:58.279 --> 00:30:58.839 Look to 00:30:58.839 --> 00:30:59.220 the one 00:30:59.220 --> 00:30:59.799 who remains 00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:00.460 steadfast 00:31:00.460 --> 00:31:01.059 through his 00:31:01.059 --> 00:31:01.759 suffering. 00:31:01.920 --> 00:31:02.139 Look to 00:31:02.139 --> 00:31:02.500 the one 00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:02.779 who has 00:31:02.779 --> 00:31:03.220 secured 00:31:03.220 --> 00:31:03.680 our 00:31:03.680 --> 00:31:04.259 salvation 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:04.960 so that 00:31:04.960 --> 00:31:05.379 we who 00:31:05.379 --> 00:31:06.019 follow him 00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:06.440 might live 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:06.819 without 00:31:06.819 --> 00:31:07.599 fear. 00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:09.619 Look to 00:31:09.619 --> 00:31:09.940 the one 00:31:09.940 --> 00:31:10.259 who has 00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:10.660 promised 00:31:10.660 --> 00:31:11.160 that we 00:31:11.160 --> 00:31:11.680 are not 00:31:11.680 --> 00:31:12.079 alone 00:31:12.079 --> 00:31:12.460 for he 00:31:12.460 --> 00:31:12.899 has gone 00:31:12.899 --> 00:31:13.680 before us 00:31:13.680 --> 00:31:14.819 and through 00:31:14.819 --> 00:31:15.440 his spirit 00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:16.660 he abides 00:31:16.660 --> 00:31:17.559 with us. 00:31:17.779 --> 00:31:20.460 even when 00:31:20.460 --> 00:31:20.899 the darkness 00:31:20.899 --> 00:31:21.539 only seemed 00:31:21.539 --> 00:31:21.839 to get 00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:22.259 darker 00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:22.839 Jesus 00:31:22.839 --> 00:31:23.319 remains 00:31:23.319 --> 00:31:24.000 steadfast 00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:25.759 and today 00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:26.399 he is 00:31:26.399 --> 00:31:26.779 still 00:31:26.779 --> 00:31:27.259 our 00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:27.879 steadfast 00:31:27.879 --> 00:31:28.359 advocate 00:31:28.359 --> 00:31:28.799 able 00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:29.279 and willing 00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:29.759 to help 00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:30.220 us in 00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:30.700 our time 00:31:30.700 --> 00:31:31.160 of need. 00:31:33.660 --> 00:31:34.399 So let's 00:31:34.399 --> 00:31:34.680 pray. 00:31:38.660 --> 00:31:39.180 Father 00:31:39.180 --> 00:31:39.819 thank you 00:31:39.819 --> 00:31:42.920 for the 00:31:42.920 --> 00:31:43.200 gift of 00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:43.559 your son 00:31:43.559 --> 00:31:43.899 Jesus. 00:31:44.799 --> 00:31:45.680 We praise 00:31:45.680 --> 00:31:46.119 you and 00:31:46.119 --> 00:31:46.539 thank you 00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:46.960 for his 00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:47.839 steadfastness. 00:31:50.920 --> 00:31:51.799 We praise 00:31:51.799 --> 00:31:52.180 you for 00:31:52.180 --> 00:31:52.359 the 00:31:52.359 --> 00:31:52.779 sufferings 00:31:52.779 --> 00:31:53.079 that he 00:31:53.079 --> 00:31:53.420 endured 00:31:53.420 --> 00:31:54.420 for our 00:31:54.420 --> 00:31:54.940 salvation. 00:31:56.700 --> 00:31:57.339 That they 00:31:57.339 --> 00:31:57.700 were not 00:31:57.700 --> 00:31:58.159 in vain 00:31:58.159 --> 00:31:59.119 but that 00:31:59.119 --> 00:31:59.899 he endured 00:31:59.899 --> 00:32:00.259 them in 00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:00.779 our place 00:32:00.779 --> 00:32:01.099 and on 00:32:01.099 --> 00:32:01.619 our behalf 00:32:01.619 --> 00:32:02.200 that we 00:32:02.200 --> 00:32:03.019 might never 00:32:03.019 --> 00:32:03.639 be condemned 00:32:03.639 --> 00:32:04.359 before you. 00:32:05.839 --> 00:32:06.500 That we 00:32:06.500 --> 00:32:07.000 might never 00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:07.420 have to 00:32:07.420 --> 00:32:07.759 fear 00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:11.379 that you 00:32:11.379 --> 00:32:12.599 are against 00:32:12.599 --> 00:32:13.299 us but 00:32:13.299 --> 00:32:13.599 that we 00:32:13.599 --> 00:32:14.019 might know 00:32:14.019 --> 00:32:14.299 that you 00:32:14.299 --> 00:32:14.680 are with 00:32:14.680 --> 00:32:15.180 us and 00:32:15.180 --> 00:32:15.840 for us. 00:32:20.220 --> 00:32:20.779 Father we 00:32:20.779 --> 00:32:21.220 pray that we 00:32:21.220 --> 00:32:21.539 would look 00:32:21.539 --> 00:32:22.039 to Jesus 00:32:22.039 --> 00:32:22.600 fix our 00:32:22.600 --> 00:32:23.039 eyes on 00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:23.380 him the 00:32:23.380 --> 00:32:24.440 author and 00:32:24.440 --> 00:32:25.000 perfecter of 00:32:25.000 --> 00:32:25.580 our faith 00:32:25.580 --> 00:32:27.220 who for the 00:32:27.220 --> 00:32:27.720 joy set 00:32:27.720 --> 00:32:28.240 before him 00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:28.759 endured the 00:32:28.759 --> 00:32:30.039 cross scorning 00:32:30.039 --> 00:32:30.580 its shame 00:32:30.580 --> 00:32:31.500 and sat 00:32:31.500 --> 00:32:31.980 down at the 00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:32.320 right hand 00:32:32.320 --> 00:32:32.740 of God. 00:32:34.539 --> 00:32:35.220 We praise 00:32:35.220 --> 00:32:35.779 you for his 00:32:35.779 --> 00:32:36.880 steadfastness 00:32:36.880 --> 00:32:37.140 and we 00:32:37.140 --> 00:32:37.480 praise you 00:32:37.480 --> 00:32:37.820 for his 00:32:37.820 --> 00:32:38.240 victory. 00:32:40.120 --> 00:32:40.840 We pray that 00:32:40.840 --> 00:32:41.060 you would 00:32:41.060 --> 00:32:41.539 increase our 00:32:41.539 --> 00:32:42.080 trust in him 00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:42.460 today. 00:32:43.359 --> 00:32:44.000 In Jesus' 00:32:44.159 --> 00:32:44.379 name, 00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:44.839 amen.