The Folly of the Crucifixion
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When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’ ” So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
Prophecies fulfilled
Prophecies fulfilled
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road.
Evidence of messiahship/kingship
Crowds Recognize the Evidence
Crowds Recognize the Evidence
As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
Crowd recognizes fulfillment of Zechariah
however the Pharisees demand he rebuke them
They do not see the evidence before their eyes
These were the learned men the religious leaders who spent their days studying the scriptures yet they cannot see the truth that was obvious to the crowds
Jesus replies if people did not worship him the stones would cry out
Jesus would be worshipped either way
Again the pharisees do not see the evidence of Jesus divinity that creation itself would worship him
The Pharisees do not arrest him here for fear of the crowds yet arrest him by night less than a week later.
Pharisees have no evidence to convict
Pharisees have no evidence to convict
Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’ ” And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But Jesus remained silent. 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.” 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.” 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. What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him,
when they finally arrest Jesus they seek false testimony against him
there is nothing to try him for so they seek false evidence
Yet they cant get two people to agree on the story
until two came forward and repated his statement Matthew 26:61
and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’ ”
Yet Jesus is silent he knows there is no conviction no sin here
What was the blasphemy of Jesus
He called himself the son of man frequently and now he says that he will be seated at the right hand of God
Thus claiming equality with God and authority beyond that of Moses. This is not blasphemy but rather truth. Albeit no one else could make such a statement. Yet all the evidence of his ministry points to Jesus as God in the flesh. They just refused to believe it.
Pilate declares Jesus innocent
Pilate declares Jesus innocent
Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that it was out of 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 in a dream.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” 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.” And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.
Pilate knew Jesus was innoncent his wife knew he was righteous Pilate triest o wash his hands of the whole affair yet
he first released a hardened criminal over Jesus then he has him scourged and then delivers him over to be crucified
Again justice is perverted and the innocent is punished
the Question
the Question
And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
Why must Jesus be crucified why did crowds hate the man so who just a week ago they were worshiping and adoring as king of the Jews the Messiah
Why do the religous leaders who knew the signs and are seeing them fulfilled before their very eyes deny them
Why does pilate who declares the man innocent free of evil deserving of no punishment condemn him to both scourging and crucifixion two of the worst punishments in the roman arsenal normally reserved for only the worst of offenders.
What is this insanity this outrage is this not the utmost folly of man to crucify such a man as Jesus. Yet they do so Why?
The Answer
The Answer
this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
This was no mere act of treacherous loyalty of the crowds. No mere fan favorite one day and thrown to the wolves the next.
This is no mere elitist power play in the struggle for control and domination to persevere the Pharisees seat of power and influence
Nor is this simply a roman leader looking to please the crowds and remove a person who might be a threat to Rome.
Finally this is not the will of Satan and his triumph over the son of God.
Rather this is the plan of God for salvation it was by the death of Jesus his perfect sacrifice that allowed us to be forgiven. He was the perfect passover lamb to cause God to forgive us of our sin and passover us in judgment. Thus making Christ the instrument of grace and mercy through which we are made right with God.
Notice also this is not a backup plan or last minute adaption by God but rather he ordained he always knew from before the moment of Creation that it would come to the cross yet he made us anyway he allowed us to sin he allowed us to cause our own suffering so that he might display his great mercy grace love and forgiveness upon the cross
Yes it was done by the hands of men they were the instruments but it was God who directed the events. Even Satan was but a tool in God’s hands to ensure the death of the sacrifice was carried out at the appropriate time that all man might be forgiven of their sin if they will but place their faith in Jesus Christ abandoning their sinful ways and following him forevermore.
Invitation
Will you follow him today? WIll you choose to lay down your sins at the foot of the cross accept the sacrifice of Jesus as payment for you sins and make him lord of your life today? We will see on Easter Sunday Jesus did not stay in the tomb but by his own power he rose from the dead and lives forevermore in heaven seated at the right hand of the Father. Place your trust in him today.
For those of you who trust him I ask you to share your faith, be bold my brothers we have seen today that God is in control. He is dictating all events for his own glory glorify him by sharing the gospel then watch as God shows up and changes the hearts of men and women. Let us not be silent Let us change the world For we serve a mighty God and a risen Savior.