Good News of Three Days (Week 61)
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It’s Friday
It’s Friday
It’s been 5 days since Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey, being hailed as the King of Israel, and willingly, intentionally fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah showing himself as the promised King of not just Israel, but of every nation.
But before he was crucified he was questioned by the Jewis authorities, called the Sanhedrin. It was there he claimed to be God.
The more I study the final hours of Jesus and his interrogation by both Rome and the Jewish leaders, the more convinced I am of his complete confidence in who he was and why he came.
He doesn’t care what they do to him.
He boldly declares himself to be both God and King.
A challenge to both empires.
He has full recognition that no matter the outcome, they don’t have any authority over him.
He’s completely in control, he has all authority in heaven and on earth, even though he’s the one in chains and carrying a cross.
63 The men who were holding Jesus started mocking and beating him. 64 After blindfolding him, they kept asking, “Prophesy! Who was it that hit you?” 65 And they were saying many other blasphemous things to him.
66 When daylight came, the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the scribes, convened and brought him before their Sanhedrin. 67 They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us.”
But he said to them, “If I do tell you, you will not believe. 68 And if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”
70 They all asked, “Are you, then, the Son of God?”
And he said to them, “You say that I am.”
71 “Why do we need any more testimony,” they said, “since we’ve heard it ourselves from his mouth?”
Matthew adds a bit more detail to this illegal interrogation
57 Those who had arrested Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had convened. 58 Peter was following him at a distance right to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and was sitting with the servants to see the outcome.
59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they could put him to death, 60 but they could not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. Finally, two who came forward 61 stated, “This man said, ‘I can destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ”
62 The high priest stood up and said to him, “Don’t you have an answer to what these men are testifying against you?” 63 But Jesus kept silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
64 “You have said it,” Jesus told him. “But I tell you, in the future you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? See, now you’ve heard the blasphemy. 66 What is your decision?”
They answered, “He deserves death!” 67 Then they spat in his face and beat him; others slapped him
Jesus is God & King
Jesus is God & King
Son of Man - Jesus is referencing a prophecy from Daniel 7 of the Son of Man who is like the Ancient of Days and will have an eternal kingdom. A Kingdom from all nations and peoples on earth.
Jesus is claiming to be the prophesied Messianic King right to the face of the High Preist.
But he even goes further...
He says from now on you will see the Son of Man at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.
The phriase Riding on the clouds of heaven always equates the one on the clouds to divine power. He says the one riding on the clouds will be seated next to God.
Jesus is elevating himself to God. It’s why the High Priest tore his clothes and cried blasphemy.
Jesus was like, I’m the King and I’m God and from now on when you see me you will know who I am!
This infuriated the Sanhedrin and their law said blasphemy was worthy of death. Since Israel was under Roman control however they couldn’t put Jesus to death. So they appealed to Roman law.
So Jesus was taken to Pilate who had the authority to put him to death. Pilate questioned Jesus at the insistence of the Jewish leaders who wanted Jesus killed for claiming to be God.
Then their whole assembly rose up and brought him before Pilate. 2 They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation, opposing payment of taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.”
3 So Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
He answered him, “You say so.”
4 Pilate then told the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no grounds for charging this man.”
5 But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he started even to here.”
And we get even more details in John 18:33–38
33 Then Pilate went back into the headquarters, summoned Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
34 Jesus answered, “Are you asking this on your own, or have others told you about me?”
35 “I’m not a Jew, am I?” Pilate replied. “Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?”
36 “My kingdom is not of this world,” said Jesus. “If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”
37 “You are a king then?” Pilate asked.
“You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
38 “What is truth?” said Pilate.
After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no grounds for charging him.
Again Jesus without regard for human authority tells Pilate, I’m the KING here.
Jesus knows who he is. He knows why he came.
Jesus is the King.
Jesus is God.
Jesus believes this.
Jesus is willing to die for this.
Jesus does die for this.
But Pilate asks a every interesting question.
What is truth?
What Is Truth?
What Is Truth?
Jesus declared himself to be the way, the truth, and the life.
Jesus declared himself to be the only way to know the Father.
But this question of truth… what is truth?
We live in an age where truth is relativized, questioned, or individualistic.
We hear the phrase “my truth” more and more, as if their isn’t a standard of truth.
But just as their are scientific truths their are moral and spiritual truths.
Gravity is a truth.
Laws of physics are truths.
The rotation of the earth is a truth.
Biology is a truth.
Anatomy is a truth.
That sin destroys is a truth.
Truth is a reality that goes beyond personal feelings or preferences.
And we have to choose the truth.
13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14 and said to them, “You have brought me this man as one who misleads the people. But in fact, after examining him in your presence, I have found no grounds to charge this man with those things you accuse him of. 15 Neither has Herod, because he sent him back to us. Clearly, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore, I will have him whipped and then release him.”G
18 Then they all cried out together, “Take this man away! Release Barabbas to us!” 19 (He had been thrown into prison for a rebellion that had taken place in the city, and for murder.)
20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify! Crucify him!”
22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What has this man done wrong? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have him whipped and then release him.”
23 But they kept up the pressure, demanding with loud voices that he be crucified, and their voices won out. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand 25 and released the one they were asking for, who had been thrown into prison for rebellion and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will.
Jesus or Barrabas
Jesus or Barrabas
Will we choose Jesus or Barrabas
Savior or Murderer
Deliverer or Destroyer
Truth or Lie
The truth is this...
Jesus was born of a virgin,
lived a sinless life,
fulfilled every prophecy,
fulfilled every type and shadow in the Old Testament,
Jesus taught scripture,
Jesus worked miracles
He healed the sick,
walked on water,
raised the dead,
cast out demons,
Jesus forgave sinners,
Jesus challenged religious leaders,
Jesus challenged political norms,
Jesus was a Jew who associated with outcasts,
the ritually unclean,
prostitutes,
tax collectors,
and drunkards,
Jesus was praised as a King,
declared the to be the Promised Messiah,
Jesus was arrested for claiming to be God,
Jesus was flogged,
Jesus was scourged,
Jesus was nailed to a tree,
Jesus was killed,
but on the third day Jesus was raised from the dead!
That's the Truth.
History bears witness.
The Truth is Jesus is the only way to fully know God.
But on that Sunday Morning 2000 years ago, the disciples still believe their truth, the lie, that Jesus was dead.
It’s Sunday
It’s Sunday
It’s been 3 days since the darkest day in history.
Since the ones who hailed him as King rejected Him as a blasphemer.
Three days since he was arrested, tried, flogged, beaten, and crucified.
Three days.
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. 5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground.
“Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men. 6 “He is not here, but he has risen! Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘It is necessary that the Son of Man be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?” 8 And they remembered his words.
9 Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. 10 Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things. 11 But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths. So he went away, amazed at what had happened.
They Remember His Words
There was a reminder from the Angels.
A reminder of what Jesus said would happen had come true.
Jesus told them in Luke 9:22
saying, “It is necessary that the Son of Man suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day.”
Jesus told them in Luke 9:44
“Let these words sink in: The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.”
Jesus told them in Luke 18:32–33
For he will be handed over to the Gentiles, and he will be mocked, insulted, spit on; and after they flog him, they will kill him, and he will rise on the third day.”
That was it.
On the third day he will rise.
He will rise.
HE WILL RISE.
HE. WILL. RISE.
Imagine the countenance on their faces change.
Imagine the despair in their hearts melt away and joy overtake them.
Imagine hugs, and tears, and laughter, and amazement.
Imagine the scene as those women remember the Truth of Jesus words.
Sometimes we have to be reminded of the Truth.
Sometime we have to be reminded of what Jesus has spoke.
Jesus Is The Truth
Jesus Is The Truth
What is truth?
Unless you know the truth you can't believe the truth.
And on Resurrection Sunday the disciples didn't yet know the Truth.
The still believed the Friday was the end.
The disciples didn't yet know the good news.
Their truth was that He was still in the tomb, sealed behind a stone, guarded by Roman soldiers.
Their truth was that death had won.
Their truth was that the King had been conquered.
Their truth was that the Savior wasn't saved.
Their truth was the the Deliverer had been delivered to the grave.
Their truth was the Jesus was dead, buried, and with it their hope too dead and buried.
That's the problem with having ones own truth - it doesn't line up with Jesus.
Jesus declared himself to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Jesus said no one can come to the Father except by Jesus.
Jesus declared himself to be the Resurrection and the Life.
Jesus said you can destroy His body but in 3 days He will be raised.
When our truth doesn't line up with the Truth we live believing lies.
Lies never set us free.
Jesus told us that knowing the Truth is what sets us free.
We are prone to believe our own truth.
We believe what we choose to believe.
We believe what we want to believe.
We believe what the enemy of our souls tells us.
We believe lies.
We believe that we are worthless.
We believe that we are of no use.
We believe that our past defines us.
We believe that our choices can't be redeemed.
We believe that our sin cause God to stop loving us.
Or maybe we don't believe God even exists.
We believe that we can live how we want without eternal consequences.
We believe that we decide what is right and what is wrong.
We believe our own truths to the detriment of our own well-being.
We have to choose
Remind Yourself Of The Truth
Remind Yourself Of The Truth
I'm here this morning to remind you of the Truth.
I'm here to remind you that everything Jesus said would happen happened.
I'm here to remind you that everything God has promised finds its fulfillment in Jesus.
I'm here to remind you that there is hope for you.
I'm here to remind you that there is forgiveness.
I'm here to remind you that there is deliverance from that addiction.
I'm here to remind you that there is freedom from those chains.
I'm here to remind that you are loved.
I'm here to remind you that you are accepted.
I'm here to remind you that there is no power in hell that hasn't been defeated on the cross
I'm here to remind you that there is no lie that can stand under the weight of the Truth.
I'm here to remind you that there is nothing too big for Jesus.
I'm here to remind you that there is no tomb that can keep Jesus down.
There's no stone that can't be rolled away, there's no life that can't be resurrected in Jesus.
I'm here to remind you that Jesus is alive so that you can truly live.
I'm here to remind you that Jesus said that the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus said, I have come that you may have life to the fullest.
I'm here to remind you that you are not truly living if you haven't been brought to life, raised to life, through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus.
This angelic reminder was so life-changing to the women at the tomb that they couldn't be quiet about it.
Luke 24:9-10
Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things.
These women run and tell the other disciples about the empty tomb.
Imagine their excitement as they run back to the house.
But when they get their they don't receive the response they were hoping for.
Luke 24:11
But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women.
An idle tale.
A lie.
See, when it comes to Jesus, the enemy, the devil, wants you to believe lies are the truth and the truth is a lie.
He wants you to doubt.
He wants you think its a nice story but its not reality.
He wants you to sit there in your unbelief.
But you have another option.
You don't have to sit there, you can get up and run to the tomb...
Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths. So he went away, amazed at what had happened.
Run to the tomb.
It's empty.
Jesus is alive.
Everything he has said is true.
Stoop in.
Look around.
Jesus is alive.
Let the risen Jesus change your perspective.
Let the risen Christ become your reality.
Let the Truth become your truth.
Jesus is alive.
I promise, you will marvel like Peter when you allow your truth to be transformed.
So this morning I'm here to remind you, I hope you will respond like the women at the tomb, like Peter when he heard the news.
Run to the Truth! Run to the Tomb!
Because the empty tomb is God declaring Jesus is King!
I’m here to remind you this morning that God has raised Jesus to life and declared him to be God and King!
Light has broken through.
The tomb has been rolled away.
Jesus is risen.
The King has conquered.
The Savior resurrected.
The Deliverer delivered.
Jesus is alive.
15 This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength.
20 He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens—21 far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him as head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.
I’m here to tell you this morning that the KING LIVES!
The Resurrected King Lives!
And the Kingdom is here and now thru the CHURCH (but thats another sermon).
Passion week was all about King Jesus.
Palm Sunday was the crowd embracing Jesus as King.
Easter Sunday was God embracing Jesus as King.
Good Friday was the crowd rejecting Jesus as King.
Easter Sunday was God exalting Jesus as King.
This morning the Resurrected King is still both God and Christ.
This morning we either follow the crowd or we follow the Christ!
We follow the crowd to the cross or we follow the Christ out of the tomb!
Follow the King!