Man Condemns the Son of God
VBC Albuquerque · Mar 17, 2024
This sermon focuses on the trials of Jesus from Wednesday through Friday, particularly before Pilate and Herod. Through these historical events, the preacher exposes the hypocrisy of religious leaders, the fickleness of the crowds, the inhumanity of politician Pilate, and the steadfastness of Jesus's followers.
The opening section establishes the historical context of Jesus's trials. After three trials before Jewish religious leaders (Annas, Caiaphas, and the council), they must bring Jesus before Pilate, the Roman governor, since only Roman authority had the power to execute. The religious leaders dare not enter Pilate's residence for fear of defilement, unable to participate in the Passover. Pilate must come outside to meet them and a curious crowd that follows.
The second section develops details of the fourth trial before Pilate. The religious leaders fabricate a new charge: that Jesus incites rebellion against Roman authority. Pilate interrogates Jesus about whether He is king of the Jews. Jesus explains that His kingdom does not belong to this world, making accusations of political rebellion completely absurd. When Jesus speaks of truth, Pilate cynically asks: "What is truth?" Pilate declares Jesus innocent, but when the leaders accuse Jesus of stirring up the people in both Judea and Galilee, Pilate uses this as pretext to transfer the case to Herod, whose jurisdiction Galilee falls under.
The third section describes the fifth trial before King Herod. Herod is delighted to see Jesus, having long desired to meet Him and hoping to witness a miracle. However, Jesus does not answer Herod's questions. The religious leaders continue making fierce accusations. Herod and his soldiers mock Jesus, dress Him in a shining robe, and return Him to Pilate. Remarkably, Pilate and Herod, who previously despised each other, become friends through this event.
The fourth section describes the sixth trial before Pilate with graphic details of the brutal flogging. Pilate returns to his residence no longer cheerful, since Herod has returned the prisoner Jesus without executing Him. Pilate continues declaring Jesus innocent despite the beating. The author provides detailed description of Roman torture methods: the prisoner forced into a bent position against a post with both hands bound to the post, beaten with a whip containing multiple leather strands embedded with bone and metal pieces, causing deep lacerations to the back and sides. After the flogging, Pilate brings Jesus out wearing a crown of thorns and blood-soaked robe, saying: "Behold the man," yet the people still cry out for crucifixion. Learning that Jesus claims to be Son of God, Pilate becomes even more afraid. He enters his residence and asks Jesus: "Where are you from?" but Jesus does not answer. Jesus tells Pilate that he has power only if it is given from above, and the one who handed Jesus over to him bears greater guilt.
The fifth section presents Pilate's weakening resolve when facing political pressure. Pilate attempts desperately to release Jesus, but the religious leaders threaten him, saying that if he releases Jesus he is no friend of Caesar. Pilate invokes the Passover custom to let the Jewish people choose between Jesus and Barabbas the robber, yet the crowd cries out for Barabbas and crucifixion for Jesus. After Pilate declares Jesus innocent three times, he finally washes his hands to show himself innocent, then delivers Jesus to them for crucifixion.