The Spotless Lamb

The Passover

Exodus 12:5 ESV

Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats,

1 Corinthians 5:7 “Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”

He Was Religiously Spotless (19-24)

Annas - high pries but deposed by Rome

Caiaphas - son in law of Annas, appointed by Rome as high priest

Jesus was watched for 3 years of ministry by the people and the Jewish leaders

He was public: in the temple and the synagogues

People are going to watch us. They want to see us fail. Why does it make news when a pastor fails? Or when a Christian celebrity fails?

His doctrine was without flaw and they couldn’t find anything He taught wrong

So Annas send’s Jesus to Caiaphas

Here they attempt to trump up charges against Jesus

Mark 14:55–56 “Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree.”

Finally they accuse Jesus with His promise to rebuild the temple. His response, they beleive, is blasphemy:

Mark 14:58–64 ““We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’ ” Yet even about this their testimony did not agree. And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death.”

He Was Socially Spotless (33-40)

Pilate was most concerned with if Jesus was an insurrectionist

He wanted to know if Jesus was going to attempt to overthrow Rome

Pilate may not even have cared if Jesus disposed Harod

Pilate’s only concern was if Jesus thought Himself a king

It sounds as thought Jesus is indirect, but in reality He answers perfectly.

Jesus tells Pilate, “You got nothing to worry about”

“My kingdom is not of this world, if it were my people would fight…in other words “I’m not here to over through Rome”

He even goes on to tell Pilate His purpose: To declare truth!

What is truth?

Pilate found Jesus to be innocent

Luke 23:4–5 “Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.””

Luke 23:14–15 “and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him.”

Jesus Is Our Passover