The Travesty of Jesus

William Jackson Marion was convicted of killing John Cameron, who left with him to work on the railroad in 1872. In 1891, four years after Marion was hanged, Cameron turned up alive, explaining that he had vanished by his own volition. He had spent twenty years traveling across Mexico, Alaska, and Colorado. On March 25, 1987, Marion was pardoned by the State of Nebraska on the 100th anniversary of his hanging. What a travesty!

History is full of travesty but never has there been travesty like the trial of Jesus. The perfectly innocent Son of God who was wrongly arrested and tried before the world, yet the world was really on trial before Him.

On the day Jesus was arrested He underwent 2 mockeries of a trial, proved innocent yet convicted and sentenced to death on a cross!

CPS: Today I want you to know the Travesty of Jesus’ trial, what took place that day the innocent Lamb of God was crucified out of envy and because of cowardice. I hope that seeing what took place will draw someone to repentance and faith and others to a closer walk with Jesus.

I. The Religious Trial 14:53-65

Jesus was illegally arrested and illegally tried by the religious leaders who plotted together to seize and kill him (14:1).

A. The Accusation (55-59)

In the home of Caiaphas Jesus was accused of threatening to destroy the Temple and in three days raise it up again.

The present witnesses

The religious leaders scrambled to find witnesses to testify against Jesus. Sought (zēteō) means they tried to find witnesses. Witnesses came forward but their testimonies did not agree.... but later and in cohoots together (Matt. 26:60) two came forward to say the same thing (Matt. 26:61) but their testimony was a lie, Jesus when asked for a sign spoke about His Resurrection! John 2:19 “Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.””

2. The absent witnesses

The false witness were the only ones allowed to testify on behalf of Jesus yet there were many others who could have been brought in to testify for Jesus, I WONDER WHAT the ex-lepers, ex-paralytics, ex-demoniacs, ex-blind, ex-dead (Lazarus and Jarius Daughter) WOULD HAVE SAID!

The Lord was charged yet the witnesses who needed to testify on His behalf were never allowed to!

If you were there, how would you testify? If you find Jesus unfaithful you need to seek council but if you have found Jesus to be faithful in your life you need to give testimony!

B. The Arraignment (60-64)

At this point the High Priest was desperate even with these two witnesses He knew He was losing the case. So the judge became the prosecuter and illegally put Jesus under oath to testify against himself! (Matthew 26:63) “I adjure thee by the living God.” He required Jesus to give a direct answer to His question by Jewish Law. Under these conditions Jesus answered! (Mark 14:62 and Matt. 26:63). “ I am!” and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven! Jesus is saying today you wrongfully judge me but the day is coming that I will righteously judge you!

We see Jesus arraigned and condemned on the charge of being the Christ! (BLASPHEMY) (14:64). Either Jesus is the Christ or the greatest imposter to have ever lived.

C. The Abuse (65)

Spitting in the face of God, punching (punishable by fine 4 denarii) , slapping (fine by 400 denarii). They abused Jesus yet He kept quiteand took it!

Jesus came into this world to be savior and what did men do? They spit on Him and slapped Him.) Charles Wesley once wrote: “Amazing love, how can it be that thou my God shouldest die for me?”

II. The Roman Trial 15:1-20

Jesus was charged with Blasphemy and taken to a hastily called council of the Sanhedrin in order to find a charge that would stand up before the governor . Blasphemy was a religious charge and they needed more. So there the charge changed insurrection and treason! 1st they accused him of misleading their nation (like 23:2), 2nd forbidding them to pay taxes (Luke 23:2), and 3rd to be a king on the lines of Caesar. Pilate, asked Jesus if this was true in order to discover if Jesus was guilty as charged.

A. His Silence (15:3-5)

The Bible predicted that Jesus would be silent before His accusers (Is. 53:7). At times Jesus spoke when it would have been in His best interest to not have (Mark 14:62) and at other times Jesus was silent when speaking would have helped Him out. The Jews had botched the case so severely that just a few words to Pilate would have freed Him yet He refused to say those words. Jesus was in total control of this situation.

B. His Substitution (15:6-14)

The Mob

Pilate knew Jesus was innocent (Mark 15:10) and also knew the Jewish leaders were about to cause a riot. He was in a no win situation. Traditionally the Governor of Judea released one Jewish prisoner at passover so he sought to release Jesus but the Jewish leaders started an uproar, (Mark 15:11) in order to have the insurrectionist Barabbas released. Moved (vb)(anaseiō)means to start an uproar, to incite, or stir up… they had stirred up a frenzy and demanded that Barabbas be released. Pilate asked “what shall I do with the King of the Jews?” The people shouted Crucify Him, Crucify Him! Pilate asked “what evil has He done?” The people shouted all the more, Crucify Him! Pilate order the release of Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus.

2. The Substitution.

One of the most beautiful doctrines of Scripture is substitution. Barabbas had justly been arrested and condemned to die, now imagine for a moment Barabbas last hours.....(expound)..... Then he heard foot steps walking down the corridor, the key clanged in the cell door. Barabbas knew that this was it, he was being taken to His death. He stood there with his heart leaping out of his chest “Barabbas” they said “there is a man named Jesus and they have put Him in your place. He is going to die and you are free. You can go home.”

Jesus literally took his place!

C. His Scars

Pilate, looking to satisfy the people, released Barabbas and delivered Jesus to be scourged and crucified (Mark 15:15). Scriptures says (Is. 50:6) “I gave My back to those who strike Me, And My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting.” Is. 53:5 “But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 “and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.”

Con: Jesus’s trial was a travesty of justice, He was innocent of all charges. Yet the justice of God demanded death so that through faith we could be forgiven of our sins. The only thing Jesus was guilty of that day and forever ore… was loving us unto death!

*** Outline ***

“The Travesty of Jesus” Mark 14:53-65, 15:1-20

William Jackson Marion was convicted of killing John Cameron, who left with him to work on the railroad in 1872. In 1891, four years after Marion was hanged, Cameron turned up alive, explaining that he had vanished by his own volition. He had spent twenty years traveling across Mexico, Alaska, and Colorado. On March 25, 1987, Marion was pardoned by the State of Nebraska on the 100th anniversary of his hanging. What a travesty!

History is full of travesty but never has there been travesty like the trial of Jesus. The perfectly innocent Son of God who was wrongly arrested and tried before the world, yet the world was really on trial before Him.

On the day Jesus was arrested He underwent 2 mockeries of a trial, proved innocent yet convicted and sentenced to death on a cross!

CPS: Today I want you to know the Travesty of Jesus’ trial, what took place that day the innocent Lamb of God was crucified out of envy and because of cowardice. I hope that seeing what took place will draw someone to repentance and faith and others to a closer walk with Jesus.

I. The Religious Trial 14:53-65

A. The Accusation

1. The Present Witnesses

2. The Absent Witnesses

3. Your Witness

B. The Arraignment

C. The Abuse

Charles Wesley once wrote: “Amazing love, how can it be that thou my God shouldest die for me?”

II. The Roman Trial 15:1-20

A. His Silence

Is. 53:7 (He was sovereign)

B. His Substitute

C. His Scars

- Is. 50:6

- Is. 53:5

- 1 Peter 2:24

Con: Jesus’ trial was a travesty of justice, He was innocent of all charges. Yet the justice of God demanded death so that through faith we could be forgiven of our sins. The only thing Jesus was guilty of that day and forever more was loving us unto death!