Rob's Expository Sermon Preparation | Mark 14:53–65 (2)

Introduction:

· Have you ever been wrongly accused?

WHY IS JESUS *REALLY* ON TRIAL? WHAT DO THE CHARGES REALLY MEAN FOR US? HOW DOES THE VERDICT ULTIMATELY GIVE US LIFE-CHANGING COMFORT?

I) The Trial

A. Two Simultaneous Trials (14:29-31; 37, 54)

i. We Continue to Follow Peter AND Jesus (vs. 53-54)

1. Mark is weaving together Peter’s experience with Jesus’

2. EXAMPLE: Jesus’ prediction/denial; Sleeping; following Jesus

ii. Will We Stand in the moment we are tested?

1. Why? Simultaneous “trials”: Jesus & Peter are each questioned 3 times

2. APPLICATION: what do we profess when the heat is on?

B. The Kangaroo Court (vv. 55-59)

i. The Outcome of the case was pre-determined

1. This is a religious court, prosecuted by a High Priest

2. Mark has shown that the leaders have decided the outcome (Mark 14:1, 55)

Mark 14:1 ESV

It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him,

ii. The charges brought against Jesus are not corroborated (Deut. 17:6/19:5)

Deuteronomy 17:6 ESV

On the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses the one who is to die shall be put to death; a person shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.

1. Law stated that without two witnesses, charges could not be upheld

2. The “temple” accusation is a distortion (V. 58; Mk.13:2; Jn 2:19)

EVEN THOUGH THE CHARGES WERE DISTORTED, THEY ARE REVEALING SOMETHING PROFOUND ABOUT WHO JESUS IS.

II) The Charges

A. The Accusations Brought

i. Jesus will rebuild a greater “temple” (vs. 58)

1. They assume Jesus threatened vandalism; he was promising a new reality

2. The NAOS emphasizes not just the building but a meeting place

3. APPLICATION: Jesus is a new place to encounter the presence of God

ii. Jesus is The Messiah (vv. 61-62a)

1. Messiah is a title that means anointed

2. Is Jesus the chosen & promised one?

B. The Response of the Accuser

i. Jesus’ silence accepts the sentence passed on him (vv. 60, 61)

1. We “speak” when we want to vindicate ourselves, excuse ourselves, etc.

2. Jesus only speaks up to affirm what will surely bring condemnation

ii. The Suffering Servant (Is. 53:7)

1. The “Suffering Servant” would say nothing to defend himself

2. Jesus the Messiah accepts all charges brough against him

BUT THAT’S NOT ALL; IT’S JESUS’ FINAL STATEMENT THAT LEADS TO THE GREATEST OUTRAGE.

III) The Verdict

A. Jesus will be the true and Greater Judge

i. Jesus Presents himself as the true judge who is coming to judge (vs. 62)

1. Jesus isn’t just the “Son of the Blessed” but the “Son of Man” (Dan. 7)

2. Jesus will come in glory as the coming judge over all

ii. The Good News of a judge (in a severely fallen world)

1. Most people hear this…and reject Christianity

2. Without a judge, you lose all hope of evil/injustice ever being made right

B. Jesus Is Condemned so that We can Be Pardoned

i. The sentence is passed on Jesus (vs. 64)

1. The HP’s job is to protect God’s holy presence from impurity

2. He has passed the sentence of death on Jesus, the “impure” one which means that he was condemned for us

ii. Therefore:

1. APPLICATION: We await Jesus’ judgment in confidence (not fear)

2. APPLICATION: The voice of judgment can no longer define us

Transition:

Conclusion

The Play “The Sign of Jonah”