Why Do Preachers Say, "We Killed Jesus."

We were Going to Start a Series on Discipleship Tonight…

But I’m Going to Need Some More Time to Study

We’ll Try to Start it Up Next Wednesday Night

We’ll Probably Do Something Different on Sunday Mornings

In a Few Weeks, Dave Straw is Going to Teach a Series on the Parables

Until Then We’ll Find Something to Talk about

Tonight, We’re Going to Look at a Question from the Question Box

Here’s the Full Question:

Why Do Preachers Say, “We Killed Jesus” When it was Our Past Jewish Ancestors? Does the Bible Say We are Not Guilty of Our Ancestors’ Sins? Why is the Saying Repeatedly Said? There should Be a Better Way to Convince New & Old Listeners that We should Follow the Gospel Because of Love & Grace, Not the Past Sin of Murdering the Savior! This is Not Very Convincing! Yes, Old Testament Jewish People should have Been Held Accountable But Not Ancestors Forever!

This is an Interesting Question

But it isn’t So Much a Question, as it is a Grievance

I Don’t Say this to Shame the Person Who Put this in the Question Box…

But They Don’t Seem to Be Looking for an Answer…

Because They Already have Their Mind Made Up

It’s Difficult to Answer a Question…

When the Questioner has Already Presented Their Own Answer

But Let’s Dissect the Grievance & Talk about it

Is it Wrong to Say, “We Killed Jesus?”

I Guess it Depends on What You Mean By that

Did You & I Literally Kill Jesus?

No

Are You & I Guilty of Putting Jesus to Death?

Not Really

Do We Play a Part in His Death?

Yes

Though He was Murdered, He Gave Up His Life Willingly

And He Didn’t Just Die for the Sins of Those Who Murdered Him

He Died for Ours as Well

We Contributed to His Need to Die

So, in a Way, We Hold Responsibility for His Death

If the Phrase, “We Killed Jesus” is Often Repeated…

I’m Assuming that’s What the Speaker is Referring to

The Writer of the Question is Right:

We aren’t Guilty of the Sins of Our Ancestors

They Provided Ezekiel 18 as a Passage that Refers to that Principle

Ezekiel 18:1–4 (NASB95)

1 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “What do you mean by using this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, ‘The fathers eat the sour grapes, But the children’s teeth are set on edge’? 3 “As I live,” declares the Lord God, “you are surely not going to use this proverb in Israel anymore. 4 “Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins will die.

Ezekiel 18:20 (NASB95)

20 “The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself.

So, Yes, No One is Held Accountable for Another Person’s Sins

We are Not Guilty of Literally Killing Jesus…

But We are Guilty of Being the Reason He had to Die

There should Be a Better Way to Convince New & Old Listeners that We should Follow the Gospel Because of Love & Grace, Not the Past Sin of Murdering the Savior!

Again, if Someone is Trying to Convince Others to Obey the Gospel…

By Telling Them that They Literally Killed Jesus…

Then, I Agree, that’s a Terrible/Untrue Argument

But, if Someone is Trying to Convince Others to Obey the Gospel…

By Telling Them that They are Condemned in Their Sin…

And Their Sin was the Reason Jesus Died…

Then that’s a Wonderful Start to Teaching Someone the Gospel

That’s Exactly How You Lead to the Teaching of Love & Grace

You’re Guilty of Sin, But Jesus, Out of Love & Grace…

Died to Pay the Price of Your Sin Debt & Release You from Your Guilt

I Think the Questioner’s Grievance…

Is Based More on a Misinterpretation of the Phrase:

“We Killed Jesus”…

Than Actual Bad Theology on the Preacher’s Part

But Maybe that’s a Sign that Preachers/Teachers…

Need to Be More Careful with the Language They Use

Sometimes Phrases Need to Be Re-Explained…

So People Don’t Get Confused

Invitation

Ezekiel 18:20–32 (NASB95)

20 “The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself. 21 “But if the wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed and observes all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 22 “All his transgressions which he has committed will not be remembered against him; because of his righteousness which he has practiced, he will live. 23 “Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord God, “rather than that he should turn from his ways and live? 24 “But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity and does according to all the abominations that a wicked man does, will he live? All his righteous deeds which he has done will not be remembered for his treachery which he has committed and his sin which he has committed; for them he will die. 25 “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not right.’ Hear now, O house of Israel! Is My way not right? Is it not your ways that are not right? 26 “When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity and dies because of it, for his iniquity which he has committed he will die. 27 “Again, when a wicked man turns away from his wickedness which he has committed and practices justice and righteousness, he will save his life. 28 “Because he considered and turned away from all his transgressions which he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 29 “But the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not right.’ Are My ways not right, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are not right? 30 “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, each according to his conduct,” declares the Lord God. “Repent and turn away from all your transgressions, so that iniquity may not become a stumbling block to you. 31 “Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 “For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord God. “Therefore, repent and live.”

Our God is a God of Fairness/Justice/Righteousness

You’ll Reap Exactly What You Sow

But He Doesn’t Want Anyone to Die

He Wants All to Live

Repent & Live