Tried!
Matthew 26:57-68; 27:1-2; 11-26
Preacher: David Williams
Sermon Mt 26:57-68; 27:1-2; 11-26. Theme: Tried! Sermon by Pastor David Williams. Strathalbyn Church of Christ. 10 April 2022.
The Easter story is extraordinary when you consider it as a report from history. There is no other story in history like it. But it also extraordinary – not just as a story, but because it provides the answer to the human problem. It is the answer to life, to your own life problems. This is an audacious claim. But the Easter story is so audacious, so extraordinary, that it demands investigation. If it is true, it must revolutionise the life of people and of nations. If it is not, Christians are the most deluded of all people.
So many miss the point of Easter. Agnostics miss the point. Religious people also miss the point. Archbishops, popes and professors of theology miss the point. So it was in Jesus’ time. So many missed the point - in all the confusion, mixed motives, and political agendas – both religious and pagan, superstitious and super-pious, both followers and enemies. Out of all of them, only Jesus knew what must happen and why.
In Easter, there is a huge irony. You know what an irony is? Saying the opposite of what you mean – Aussies are great at this. Consider the signs (download the links):
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In Easter there is a great irony. Father, Son and Spirit are working together – even using the evil of men to save those same men! This great irony is played out in many smaller ironies. Matthew’s report is full of irony – things are not what they seem. I’ll touch on 9 of them, as we walk through the two trials that Jesus faced.
Nine ironies
1. The judges broke God’s Law while the prisoner kept it.
The Sanhedrin – the Jewish leaders - had a very special role. They were the keepers and teachers of the Law. They were appointed by that Law, and that Law imposed death for breaking it. It was a Law unlike ours for it was given by God. It could not be repealed or changed. That Law ensured that the innocent were not wrongly convicted. It wasn’t just that the Jewish leaders were careless. No, they went out of their way to break their Law, God’s Law, to convict an innocent man. They broke the law in at least 14 ways.[1]
Yet one did keep it. Up to 71 could be present at the Sanhedrin, along with witnesses and others. But one there kept the law – the prisoner. The one accused of breaking the law kept the law while the guardians of the law, were breaking it.
How many of us could face a tribunal and have our life investigated in minute detail and come through unscathed? Jesus could. So having nothing to go on, they brought forward false witnesses. These law guardians actively sought out false witnesses with false accusations.
59 Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking
- seeking what? They –
were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward.
Later, three times, Pilate declared that he found Jesus not guilty. Jesus was innocent. The accused was the law keeper.
When there is an honest witness, with no stain on his character – a Rabbi no less – that should have made his judges stop and think. Could this man’s story be true? Atheists try to attack Jesus in many ways. But no one has produced any evidence of bad character. Shouldn’t that give doubters a reason to stop and think – could it be that this honest man is telling the truth about himself?
2. The false witnesses unwittingly spoke the truth.
Of these false witnesses,
60 … At last two came forward 61 and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’”
Their testimony was right and it was wrong. It was wrong for they twisted Jesus’ actual words. John reports that Jesus drove the traders from the temple and then challenged the Jews, by saying
“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up”, Jn 2:19_._
He did not say “I am able to destroy the temple …”. His accusers made it sound like he was plotting vandalism and sacrilege against Israel’s holiest place. But his accusers were right in saying that Jesus would take the destroyed temple and rebuild it in three days. The Jews had utterly missed his point. John’s account continues:
The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body, Jn 2:20-21.
These false accusers unwittingly spoke the truth. The true temple of God – where God dwells bodily – it will be destroyed on the cross but raised to life after three days. The old temple would be destroyed in AD70. That old temple was already redundant because God’s new temple was about to rise from the dead.
3. The mockery and violence of the Jews fulfilled prophecy.
63 But Jesus remained silent. … 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67 Then they spat in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”… 27 2 And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor.
Jesus was silent before his false accusers – both at the Sanhedrin and at Pilate’s court (Mt 27:12-14). His silence showed up their false accusations. They did not deserve a response. His silence provided an example for his followers when they faced persecution (Mt 5:10-12; Lk 6:28, Ro 12:14). Finally, his silence fulfilled the scriptures
Like a lamb led to slaughter, Like a sheep before its shearers is silent so he opened not his mouth, Isa 53:7.
His silence showed his calm acceptance of this bitter cup that he must drain to its dregs (Mt 20:22, cf. Ps 75:8).
His accusers – in their mockery and violence – they were fulfilling the prophecy about the Suffering Servant. These teachers of the Law were very familiar with two figures they had been long expecting – a victorious Messiah – the Son of David – who would conquer their enemies and bring about a reign of eternal peace, and another puzzling figure – the Suffering servant. The Servant of the Lord features in four, perhaps five, passages in Isaiah (Isa 42:1-4; 49:1-6; 50:4-9; 52:13-53:12 and 61:1–3). These teachers knew the Servant would come. How he related to the Messiah, if at all was a puzzle. Noone expected the Servant and Messiah would be the same person! The Suffering Servant would take David’s throne, but his throne was a cross. Ironically, in their mockery and cruelty, they fulfilled the prophecies about that Servant. They enthroned their Messiah as the Suffering servant on a cross. Let’s see how their actions were prophesied by Isaiah.
God’s servant was despised . . . rejected . . . stricken, smitten . . . afflicted . . . pierced . . . crushed . . . beaten . . . oppressed” (Isaiah 53:3–10).
Why? “. . . for our rebellion . . . for our sins” (Isaiah 53:5).
But he was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.
All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him
the sins of us all (Isaiah 53:5-6).
His wounds brought us healing; the anguish of the cross brought us peace (Isaiah 53:5). This innocent man died to give life to us rebels.
The Lord laid on him the sins of us all.
4. The judges judged one who will judge them.
The High Priest was no fool. He knew Jesus was a popular teacher and healer. The Jews were fearful of a riot. The High Priest would have known that the false testimony was not enough for a death sentence. So, he took a new tack. By using something called the “oath of testimony”, Jesus was forced to give an answer:
63 … And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.”
It was a clever move, but also it was a gamble. Jesus was legally bound to answer such a charge. If Jesus said “No”, he would walk free. The Jews would have nothing to pin on him. But if he said “Yes”, this could be seen as blasphemy in a general sort of way. Blasphemy required death. And so Jesus answered. But his answer said two things. First, he said Yes, in a guarded way. He said in effect, “Yes, that is your way of putting it”. Second, he clarified what it meant. He wanted them to understand what the Messiah was on about. Like a child striking a match and suddenly finding he is in the middle of a bushfire, so the High Priest is dealing with fire. This man before him is despised as a deluded carpenter’s son. In chains and alone. His life is in their hands. And yet, what if this is not the full story? What if this is truly the Son of God?
The High Priest of God has called on oath, by God, to make Jesus declare if he is the son of God. Look at what he unleashes. Jesus’ answer should have put them all in abject terror.
64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Jesus didn’t actually commit blasphemy – he didn’t utter the name of God, which technically would have been blasphemous. Instead he said, “the right hand of Power”. But even so, Jesus is himself God. God can’t blaspheme against God!
His answer is intriguing, for he picks up two images well known to those Jewish teachers. He is asked are you son of God, he answers he is the Son of Man. This refers to the divine one who is “like a Son of Man” in Daniel 7:13-14. Seated at the right hand of Power refers to the all-powerful judge and priest of Psalm 110. He is warning them – you think you are judging me? The judge of all mankind. Your power, your priesthood is vanishing. My priesthood is eternal, and I will return – “coming on the clouds of heaven” and you will be judged! But they heard none of this. Instead,
65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.”
They heard his words as those of a fraud, or a madman. Not as the words of the King of heaven. What about you? What do you hear from the lips of this innocent man claiming to be God eternal? Is he a liar, a lunatic, or Lord? Is he your Lord?
5. Pilate before the judge of the world (John 19:13; cf. Matthew 25:31).
11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
Jesus, calm and dignified was fully in control, as is fitting one who is King. His Kingship is pointed out through Pilate’s question – Are you the King of the Jews; by the mock dress up by the soldiers later with sceptre, robe and crown of thorns, and finally, by the sign on the cross – The King of the Jews. Pilate knew the Jews were motivated by envy. Three times, he declared Jesus innocent, and he had the warning from his wife as well. Yet he was weak and easily swayed by threats to his position. In reality, it was Pilate who was on trial. It was Caiaphas. It is us, the readers who are on trial. What is our response to Jesus, the King?
It is easy to be swayed by the mob – the mob that is so fickle. One day they cried, Hosanna to the Son of David, Mt 21:9. The next, Crucify him. And Christians are not exempt from a mob mentality. Look at those who fought against policemen just doing their job, and endangered lives. Look at those who broke the law on Capitol hill while waving their bibles and crosses.
6. The Jews were bent on killing Jesus while a Gentile tried to save him.
The Jewish leaders did all they could to put Jesus to death. They bribed one of Jesus’ followers to betray him, they mounted an illegal trial with false witnesses, they stirred up the crowds against him, and yet one was trying to save him. It was a Gentile, not a Jew. It was a woman, having little power in these affairs of politicians and priests. And it was one who relied, not on the facts of evidence but on a dream. Enter Pilate’s wife:
19 While Pilate 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 in a dream.”
7. A son of a father was exchanged for the Son of the Father.
15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.
20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus…
Barabbas is of interest for his role and his name. He was the leader of an insurrection. The middle cross that Jesus died on was intended for Barabbas. The two robbers were also insurrectionists. They were rebels. They represent us all, for we have all rebelled against our creator. Some people think they have not sinned. They haven’t murdered or stolen or cheated. But all have committed the primal sin. The sin from which all other sins come. The sin that spawns Hitlers and Putins. It is the sin of rejecting our creator. Going our own way. We are all rebels and like Barabbas, we deserve to die for trying to overthrow our rightful King.
In some early copies of the gospels Barabbas is called – Jesus Barabbas. Jesus was a common name, taken from Joshua, meaning God saves. Barabbas means son of a father. So Jesus Barabbas, Jesus, son of a father, was saved by Jesus son of the heavenly father.
The guilty man, the rebel walked free. The innocent man died in his place. He died in our place. We the rebels can walk free.
8. Hand washing only highlights Pilate’s failure
24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.”
Both trials were needed for Jesus to be put to death. The Jews were united that a blasphemer should die, but it was against Roman law for them to execute anyone. However, the Romans couldn’t care less about Jewish blasphemers. But when they claimed that Jesus called himself a king, the Romans became very interested. Caesar was their king and he wouldn’t tolerate another king on his territory. So, both Jews and Romans had to judge that Jesus should die. Both Jews and Romans were responsible. Pilate could not evade responsibility simply by washing his hands.
9. The crowd prophesied their own destruction
24 … Pilate … said “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”
The Jews have accepted responsibility for the temple destruction and massacre that would take place in their children’s days, from AD 66 to 70. Jesus had prophesied about this before (Mt 23:29-36).
Conclusion
Jews and Romans, they all missed the point. Have you grasped it yet? Have you understood why Jesus had to die? Why he chose to die? Why his death makes all the difference to your life? Jesus was in control. He chose to die for those who were killing him – Jew and Gentile. He died for Barabbas the rebel. He took his place and he took our place. He died for all mankind who rebelled against him. His death brought us forgiveness, life and hope – by his wounds we are healed. He is the king, crowned with thorns, enthroned on a cross. He is the king coming to judge humanity for its rebellion against him. Will you embrace him as your king?
Sources:
· Keener, C. S. (2012). Matthew. IVP New Testament commentary. Vol 1. Downers Grove, Ill:IVP.
· Carson, D.A. (1984). “Matthew”. In Gaebelein, F.E. (ed.). Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Zondervan.
· Green, E. M. (2014). The Message of Matthew: The Kingdom of Heaven. United Kingdom: InterVarsity Press.
[1] Green, M. The Message of Matthew. IVP.