Jesus Before Pilate

The study of Matthew we have considered the Jewish trial. Few weeks ago we witness the glaring injustice of it all.

The blatant bias of the judges, the Roman judges we had the contradictory witnesses. We observe the illegal evidence and procedures and there we stood amazed at the decision of the Sanhedrin was the decision he desires that the Messiah deserves that because the Jewish court doesn't have the authority to put the Lord Jesus today. They quickly remit the case to a man called Pontius Pilate. He is the Roman procurator and as we see our magnificent Lord before the Jewish judges for Pontius Pilate. Matthew doesn't record it, but he also appeared before headed when reminded of the fulfillment of Psalm two about not having the nations rage against the Lord's Messiah, the kings of the act set themselves and the rulers of the Arctic Council against the Lord and his anointed, here are the rulers of the world that then known world to and consult against the Lord and his anointed today. I want you to see yourself first of all I want you to see our magnificent Lord Jesus is the Messiah is the son of God is the Savior of the world. And as we see him as a region amended we see that he has monuments the very creatures that he has made take him and they find him standing today before the judge, a Gentile judge. Gentlemen judge Pontius pilot and of course, is willing to tax very quickly realize it's not so much. Jesus was on trial, as it is pilot pilot is going to give the most important verdict of his life.

What is he going to do with Jesus the Christ. What do you do with Jesus the Christ is open our Bibles to Matthew chapter 27 Matthew was writing in the first century to persecuted Christians.

People are followers of Jesus. What can they learn about Jesus.

What can we learn about listen to Matthew as he records this in Matthew 27 verse one stood before the Sanhedrin.

Chapter 26 chapter 27 this morning. When morning came, all of the chief priests and elders of the people to console against Jesus to put some today that their verdict that they bound him and led him away and delivered them over to Pilate, the governor done to verse 11 with the previously of Judas in the section from verse three through 10. So now verse 11 Jesus stood before the governor and the governor asked him are you the king of the Jews, Jesus said you said so when he was accused by the chief priests and elders. He gave no answer. Then Pilate said to him, do you not hear how many things they testify against you, but he gave them no answer, not even to a single charge so that the governor was greatly amazed not to please the governor was accustomed to the lease for the crowd anyone prisoner whom they wanted and they had then a notorious prisoner: but this so when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, whom do you want me to release for you but this are Jesus who is called Christ, for he knew that it was. I don't envy that they had delivered him up. Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today and the dream of the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. You see how the religious people are working behind-the-scenes like some kind of terrible unscrupulous politician whipping up the car. It verse 21. The governor again said to them, which of the two. Do you want me to release for your and they said Barabbas. Pilate said to them, what shall I do with Jesus is called Christ.

They all said, let him be crucified, and he said why, what evil has he done, but they shunted all the more, let him be crucified.

So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that O'Brien was beginning. He took water and washed his hands before the card saying I'm in the center of this man's blood see to it yourselves, and all the people answered his blood be on us and on their children.

Verse 26 then he release for them.

Barabbas and having scourge Jesus delivered him to become supplied with amazing versus Jesus for Pilate want to say there's anything that Mike is writing that Matthew is saying that Jesus Christ demands allegiance from his followers want you to understand that Jesus Christ demands allegiance for his from his followers know as we come to this passage we see our Lord Jesus who Isaiah had said was a man of sorrows, and here he is suffering to see him.

The sinless Christ is falsely accused and he makes no answer to that many false charges against him. You want to makes one reply, recorded in verse 11, which is the last recorded words in Matthew which our Lord says prior to the crucifixion. He confirms that he is King of the Jews. You have said so verse 11. So here is our Lord before Pilate. Pilate understands that the Sanhedrin's charge of blasphemy is irrelevant to him that some entire no religious dispute among the Jews see settlement governor. He's not concerned with these minor issues of blasphemy, but he is concerned if that is a political charge against the prisoner. If this man Jesus is claiming to be the king. The king of the Jews that does get his attention. Pilate is a military man is the government of Israel from 26 to 36 A.D. he's in charge of the Roman armies responsible for public order is responsible for the collecting of taxes for maintaining the Roman occupation is the supreme judge in matters relating to Rome and the Roman law was a very sophisticated system of jurisprudence. The Romans prided themselves on fair laws on justice and so Pilate is incumbent on him is the supreme judge literally, he can condemn a man to dad or freedom is a great power and it seems, at least initially, takes this very seriously as he should. Normally, Pilate resides in Caesarea by deceived by the coast little cooler.

There, that's what he has his headquarters, but today he's in Jerusalem is the time of the Passover, the time of the Passover. There's always some kind of skirmishes and so he wants to be right there.

He has the sole authority to order a criminals execution and the claimant by this man Jesus to be the king of the Jews was potentially treasonable. Of course in the red stands not only the one who is the king of the Jews, the King of Kings and Lord of lords. Did you know this is a read in verse 18, that Pilate knew it was out of and be that's the Jews. It was out of envy that they had delivered him. They had no just charge against him. They were envious of his medicals of his teaching because he taught not likely a thought. It not like the scribes and Pharisees. He taught with authority. This is one who could walk on water. This is the one that the crowds love to hear and so was I don't envy that they delivered Jesus the Pilate and he finances. I find no guilt in him. John makes that very clear in John 18 verse 38 that he is a judge is not man in front of them and he finances.

I find no guilt in him. But in spite of that finding is condemned today/is ridiculed.

Verse 26 is delivered to be crucified kind of justice is this Pilate faces the most important question of his life, and this is our most important question, why then shall I do with Jesus was called the Christ. Matthews answer to that in the writing of his gospel is this one demands absolute allegiance here is the most refined and penetrating question all of life, all of eternity. Your life you live your life where you will spend eternity depends on your personal response to this question. What I do with Jesus is called the Christ. Because our Lord Jesus demands a personal did you know this.

Five. Pilate tries to get of making a judgment. He doesn't want to pass about their judges like this day another one to come to a decision they they can decide they want to remit the case they want to get rid of it, dismiss it delaying you anything but make a decision. Pilate is one that is kind of judges is ready said, I find no guilt in him.

While the case is over Pilate are the prisoners got to be released.

Pilate receives the right answers to these questions doesn't but he makes the wrong that the issue of the trial is the innocence or guilt of Jesus, Pilate, the judges said 10 of the innocence of Jesus asks verse 23, what evil has he done is giving another opportunity for people to present the case against Jesus. What evil because he does.

Has he done in Luke 23 in the Palatine several times. Pilate says I find no guilt in this man. Now we have to say is obvious that Pilate wants to do the right thing he wants to release Jesus.

He's Romany. He is our sense of justice in the understand the law, you don't send a man to be crucified to be done nothing wrong. The things that will go the way I was accustomed at the Passover that the cloud decided which prisoner is going to be… There is custom so Pilate in order to find making the decision himself.

Thanks. Here is my way out. I'm going to give the card the choice they have the rights to demand the release of one presented Passover that is this man but Ibis everyone knows that means notorious man we would call him a tattered S.

He's a motor that is a nasty man and is obvious to everyone. What kind of person is on the other can. As Jesus when you took the children in his arms, one who healed a leper, one who taught for the love of God, these are totally different. One that is totally innocent and I find no guilt in him.

The other one is obviously guilty. He's lapis and so the crowd will obviously choose Jesus who would want a tattered S release we can get it surprise you can see his wife is telling him listen that something different about this man.

I've had this terrible dream about and he releases but Ibis asked the right questions receives the right answers makes the wrong decision and even after he finances his innocence.

He lashes him autoranging time ranges for Jesus to be last, and sent for crucifixion the lashing, the prisoners tied to a post on the accrual with reducing consisting of of leather pieces of bowling lanterns, metal into the leather strong soldier then comes looks at the bareback of the person lash upon lash upon lash but Pilate you Roman you if steady citizens in your allowing him to be last but Pilate doesn't know he's fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy Lord bears the close coach and make unlovely grace to see your Savior.

The particular uniforms in this and even in that is submissive, they split, they ridiculed him they tie him up and then to deliver him to be crucified by death by crucifixion was not for Roman citizens was for common criminals and why Pilate wanted to dispense justice.

He wanted to do the right thing when it came to it, yet higher priorities. He had higher priorities than personal integrity.

Day and fairness and truth and justice when it came right down to it Pilate you are a model colorant you're playing to the crowd like a petty Pella politician, and when it comes to it, you're more concerned with your career, you're more concerned with holding on to your considerable power rather than doing the right thing. John records John 19 verse 12. From then on, Pilate sought to release him. He wanted to release him. But the Jews can I that can hear the cynical cry.

Pilate is vacillating. He's looking for a way I've than someone says if you release this man.

You're not Caesar's friends. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar or there's one Pilate thinks it's is on the horns of a dilemma. If you order Jesus to be released. The Jewish authorities are going to be angry. He had already would know from local history that he the rent already offended the Jews didn't want to risk that happening again. Also, if he didn't put Jesus did that the Roman Emperor might be insulted. After all, here's a man claiming to be at K in the Emperor's territory and you Pilate released him on the other hand, if he allows them to be crucified is consenting to the death of an innocent man he sending an innocent man to his death. Roman law was known for his justice in this fairness so his place in a very awkward mortal that led should you do the right thing and release an innocent man, and risk possible harm to his career or should he do the wrong thing and live with a guilty conscience. What is he going to do with Jesus is called the Christ. For moment, can you put yourself in the place of Pilate, or I think find it too difficult, which one of us has not faced moral decisions. I don't mean one of this magnitude your face tomorrow dilemma at work dancing your career doing something you know is wrong but if you screwed up up for righteousness. You might get fired or you might not get the promotion of your friends might not think too much about you. You haven't been in that situation week vacillating covertly during the expedience during a popular thing fitting in with the surrounding culture, rather than sending out for truth. Rather than saying no, I cannot do that.

That is wrong.

Remember a friend of mine who was a very effective salesman selling some high-powered electrical equipment which I don't understand and don't ever want to understand what he is making a lot of money selling this and he was brought in as all of the salesman where all over the country for review that he was one of the top salesman on to surprise the boss said to him you know you need to do better and is always the case, is that you can always sell more and my friend said yes but he said that I think have done quite well. He said no. He said I hear you're not entertaining the clients very well confronted with what you might find leg. You've got some hang-up about not taking them to certain clubs in the club's clubs that some men want to go with the right of turning away from the wife's and my friend said no. I said I don't go to these clubs and on the link to go to 2%, and for that not only was he demoted the short time he lost his job.

I admired man like that. I admire man and woman who stand for what is right is what it means to have your allegiance to Christ as needed to be no higher allegiance than Christ and I'm wondering this morning if some of you are still not sure about your relationship to Jesus Christ.

You don't need more information you've had your questions answered and this decision time because I began by saying the real person on trial was not Jesus it's Pilate we know Jesus is the son of God is the Messiah is the King of Kings is the King of the universe. The person on trial was Pilate, and in a sense you and on Pilate but on trial. What we do with Jesus is cold Christ of eternal destiny hinges on no response, so I have to ask you is eyes myself either any higher priorities in your life than your allegiance to Jesus that your family, your career, your lifestyle, your inner hobby.

Your pleasures your ambitions when it comes to a nuclear you're quite willing to be a follower of Jesus, but only two point the problems you can patronize Jesus, you can just pay lip service to him. You can marginalize Jesus Donato to on the Sunday are usually going to install the King of Kings and Lord of lords to only coming to him and the emergencies of life know our allegiance to the Lord Jesus.

Matthew is telling us time and time again as he talks over the kingdom of God that we are to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, the secret first.

That's the first commandment. You have no other gods before me.

If there is a God and that is and of the Lord Jesus is the son of God, as he is can be no higher authority. No one else competing for first place of total allegiance is to be Christ you say that's extremely perhaps this is what it is to be a follower of Jesus. Think of the extreme positions of people in our society over other insurance thing how extreme they are thing how heretical they are and yet so often we relegate our Lord Jesus, second or third place in our lives. No secret first love him first allegiance to Jesus is to be our first priority. No, those who speak truth God's truth is someone the other day with someone something on their T-shirt.

Truth is not on an agenda or something that wanted to speak to the woman boutique. She moved on and I thought I you're saying that truth is absolute, not something that we manipulate put out on purposes know God's truth stands forever. I began the service by reminding us that God is from everlasting to everlasting, and is truth is everlasting is always wrong. For example, to kill an unborn child that was true. 2000 years ago. It will be to 2000 years from now if our Lord Jesus Christ doesn't come. Truth always stands and we are people of truth is never, ever be ashamed of the gospel. Never be ashamed of standing for Jesus look to get out of it.

Don't be crass. Don't shy. Don't be full of hate, no love speak truth. Jesus commands allegiance from his followers that they think they don't allow anyone to stop you from receiving Jesus Christ as your Savior.

Some of your stuff on the fence make this today. The day you receive Christ. Don't allow anyone to stop you from following Jesus Christ's place here. You know Jesus Christ can be trusted company like pilots don't follow the crowd. Please start going back and forward in your mind do the right thing. Pilate knew what the right thing was to do and in your circumstance in life is your face as I'm faced with these moral dilemmas. You know the right thing to do.

Be strong, be courageous, God will help you God will honor your Joe's but this is a say whipped up like manipulative politicians as the religious leaders were politicians. They whipped up the crowd to get what they want, they chose a tetanus over Jesus wonderful thing is that Jesus died in the place of, but I that substitution.

One person taking the place of another in the Lord Jesus Christ comes in a very real sense to take my place. He dies as my substitute he dies in my place. God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Sin is man substituting himself for God. Salvation is God substituting himself for my brothers deserve to die.

He was a murderer awaiting death by crucifixion getting what he deserved what he could say I was set free because Jesus died in my place. I'm not suggesting any of us are terrorists, although sometimes we may have hates against people in our hearts, but I am saying that all of us are sinners and that Christ comes to die in my place when the make yourself going in your life that put Christ first becomes sacrifices himself for us, he dies it. My there were those who made the wrong decision. Matthew tells us of something first of all, Pilate. What you do with Jesus is the Christ, Judas, what are you going to do with Jesus is the Christ on that and betray him for 30 business over is a rich young ruler.

Matthew tells us about it comes to Jesus and he is a very righteous man is a very good man but Jesus faces him with his own idolatry and says you want to follow me go sell all that you have to go up your cross and follow me here. The swish of these expensive robes young man tetanus is back Jesus and walks away. And the Bible says that Jesus loved her, but this man loved his possessions more than Christ rock decisions. Think of three who made the right decisions. John the Baptist what you think of Jesus the Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the bidder who is Jesus. He is the Christ the son of the living God is a nameless woman that we read recently of comes with her alabaster virus and breaks it forces Jesus surrender several. What do you think of Jesus elections Thomas she surrendering everything the feet of Jesus about you follow Christ follow him truly follow him boldly follow him courageously follow him with love. Follow him with humility. Think of the difference you can make in your world in a crazy world as we shine with the beauty of Christ, father, thank you for this passage were faced with unselfishness, with allies ready different from pilot and yet we also have to respond to Jesus in the pre-even though will be those whose hearts are being opened as they come from their sin and embrace Christ. Many here are followers of Christ and sometimes without ambivalence. We need strength and the courage we need wisdom, grant stepfather that we will be known as people of love and truth. We ask it in Christ