The Cross Testifies to the Truth pt. 1
Testify to the Truth • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 5 viewsThe actions of pilot, the crowd, and Jesus revealed that Jesus is the long-awaited king of the Jews.
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The Cross Testifies to the Truth pt. 1
The Cross Testifies to the Truth pt. 1
Opening: The United States was founded without royalty on purpose. The Founding Fathers believed that liberty and justice would be best without the establishment of Kings and Queens.
That was pretty radical given the European nations were all governed differently. In a similar way Israel was distinct from other nations around them in the Old Testament. Israel was chosen and directed by God Himself.
For the US, they didn't want a king and in Israel’s case, the didn't NEED a king.
Patriarchs of the Old Testament lead the people but not as kings. Abraham, Moses and Joshua all led God’s people but not as kings. God established there would be a king even as early as Jacob talking to his sons.
God appointed judges to maintain order during His theocracy.
In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever he wanted.
However the Nation of Israel Recognized that other nations had kings and those kings were advancing their kingdoms by force. In fear, Israel Rejected God’s plan to be their leader (theocracy) and the petitioned God until He Responded by giving them a human king.
(King Saul then David)
the promise however is that a King of Kings will come and once and for all establish true peace.
For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this.
In John, we see an early claim from Nathanael.
“Rabbi,” Nathanael replied, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
Nathaniel makes a bold prediction. Jesus is “That King.”
Is John testifying that Jesus is “That King?”
Main Idea: The actions of Pilate, the crowd, and Jesus reveal that Jesus is the long – awaited King of the Jews, but ultimately, the King over all nations.
Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They did not enter the headquarters themselves; otherwise they would be defiled and unable to eat the Passover.
Then Pilate came out to them and said, “What charge do you bring against this man?”
They answered him, “If this man weren’t a criminal, we wouldn’t have handed Him over to you.”
So Pilate told them, “Take Him yourselves and judge Him according to your law.” “It’s not legal for us to put anyone to death,” the Jews declared.
They said this so that Jesus’ words might be fulfilled signifying what kind of death He was going to die.
Then Pilate went back into the headquarters, summoned Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
Jesus answered, “Are you asking this on your own, or have others told you about Me?”
“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?”
“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. As it is, My kingdom does not have its origin here.”
“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.”
“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.
You have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at the Passover. So, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
They shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.
Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged.
The soldiers also twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and threw a purple robe around Him.
And they repeatedly came up to Him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and were slapping His face.
Pilate went outside again and said to them, “Look, I’m bringing Him outside to you to let you know I find no grounds for charging Him.”
Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”
When the chief priests and the temple police saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” Pilate responded, “Take Him and crucify Him yourselves, for I find no grounds for charging Him.”
“We have a law,” the Jews replied to him, “and according to that law He must die, because He made Himself the Son of God.”
When Pilate heard this statement, he was more afraid than ever.
He went back into the headquarters and asked Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus did not give him an answer.
So Pilate said to Him, “You’re not talking to me? Don’t You know that I have the authority to release You and the authority to crucify You?”
“You would have no authority over Me at all,” Jesus answered him, “if it hadn’t been given you from above. This is why the one who handed Me over to you has the greater sin.”
From that moment Pilate made every effort to release Him. But the Jews shouted, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Anyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar!”
When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside. He sat down on the judge’s bench in a place called the Stone Pavement (but in Hebrew Gabbatha).
It was the preparation day for the Passover, and it was about six in the morning. Then he told the Jews, “Here is your king!”
But they shouted, “Take Him away! Take Him away! Crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Should I crucify your king?” “We have no king but Caesar!” the chief priests answered.
So then, because of them, he handed Him over to be crucified. Therefore they took Jesus away.
Prayer.
Division Statements: (Dr. Wredberg)
The Recognition of the King.
The Recognition of the King.
The Rejection of the King.
The Rejection of the King.
The Response of the King.
The Response of the King.
The Recognition of the King.
Explanation:
4X Pilate refers to Jesus as the King of the Jews.
You have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at the Passover. So, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
After being beaten
It was the preparation day for the Passover, and it was about six in the morning. Then he told the Jews, “Here is your king!”
But they shouted, “Take Him away! Take Him away! Crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Should I crucify your king?” “We have no king but Caesar!” the chief priests answered.
Pilate also had a sign lettered and put on the cross. The inscription was: JESUS THE NAZARENE
THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Why is Pilate calling Jesus the King to the religious leaders?
It could be that Pilate is convinced Jesus is king, or He is mocking the idea that slaves would have a king at all.
What we do know is that God used this stage to permanently solidify the idea of “Jesus the King of the Jews” throughout history moving forward.
Illustration: I thinks fun when you see a sign in several langages.
You know that more than one group is impacted by the sign.
Jesus is King is seen and understood by all nations of that time.
Jesus’ Kingdom impacts all tribes, nations and tongues.
Argumentation:
While the soldiers struck Jesus and Pilate mocked Him, they didn’t understand that Jesus is a King unlike any other king the world has ever seen.
He is a King who has humbled Himself to die so He might deliver those who hate Him and rebel against him.
The garments they placed on him and the horrible crown forced into His skin reveals that Jesus is a humble king who rules through His suffering.
Application:
1. The suffering king reveals the wickedness of our sin and inability to please God.
2. While the world may not value Jesus, God considers him the ultimate treasure that will redeem his people through salvation in Christ.
3. Just as Jesus hung on the cross to establish the faith and hope of his kingdom, His followers today stand at the foot of the cross, rooted in the faith of our salvation and the hope of His return.
Transition Statement: Sadly not everyone is looking for a king
The Rejection of the King.
Explanation:
While Pilate is mocking the nation of Israel and perhaps Jesus, one thing is clear and that is the religious leaders of Israel are the real villains of this scene.
“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?”
When offering to release Jesus they wanted a terrorist instead.
They shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.
When the chief priests and the temple police saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” Pilate responded, “Take Him and crucify Him yourselves, for I find no grounds for charging Him.”
“We have a law,” the Jews replied to him, “and according to that law He must die, because He made Himself the Son of God.”
From that moment Pilate made every effort to release Him. But the Jews shouted, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Anyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar!”
But they shouted, “Take Him away! Take Him away! Crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Should I crucify your king?” “We have no king but Caesar!” the chief priests answered.
What did Jesus do to them to make them so angry at him?
Jesus opposed their way of life.
Illustration:
Matt Carter paints a great picture from a sermon in Matt 23.
Why do men and women need the gospel? Because the human heart is like a pigsty. It's dirty and nasty, full of filth. It smells rotten. Mud and waste fill every corner. Religion looks like that pig sty and says I can fix it. It gets some wood I'm building a shed and places it right over top of the pigsty. It picks out beautiful colors to paint the shed, paint plants flowers around the outside, and place is a hand carved welcome sign over the door. It looks great at a glance but when you open the door the stench of the pigs wallowing in their own fills leaks out.
Religion can change a person's outward appearance, but it cannot change their heart and inner self. When Jesus exposed the true intentions of the religious leaders, they became angry. He also openly criticized their hypocrisy to those who followed them, making the situation even more tense.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every impurity.
In the same way, on the outside you seem righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Argumentation:
They rejected Jesus’ claims as Lord and they rejected Jesus as their king.
They referenced God’s Law in 19:7, but the Law pointed them to a King of Kings who would free them from what keeps them in captivity.
They refused to accept a king because they want to be their own king(s).
Application:
1. Recognize Jesus as the King in all areas of your life.
Don’t allow your ego to reject Jesus’ rule.
Transition Statement: How does Jesus respond in the midst of the rejection?
The Response of the King.
Explanation:
Pilate asked Jesus “Are you a King?” two times. Both times Jesus doesn't answer Pilate’s question.
Instead He simply says that His kingdom is not like earthly kingdoms.
“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. As it is, My kingdom does not have its origin here.”
Jesus later answers
He went back into the headquarters and asked Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus did not give him an answer.
So Pilate said to Him, “You’re not talking to me? Don’t You know that I have the authority to release You and the authority to crucify You?”
“You would have no authority over Me at all,” Jesus answered him, “if it hadn’t been given you from above. This is why the one who handed Me over to you has the greater sin.”
From that moment Pilate made every effort to release Him. But the Jews shouted, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Anyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar!”
While Jesus’ servants could have easily over thrown Pilate and the soldiers Jesus knew true salvation was in His suffering.
That night the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning—there were all the dead bodies!
He will defeat the Devil and cause every one who rejected Him to bow a knee in humble worship to him without firing a single shot.
Just as His Kingdom is a different kind of Kingdom, Jesus is a different kind of King
“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.”
“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.
He is the truth, and His truth comes from God
John 8:40 (HCSB)
But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God.
Illustration:
We often talk in terms of controlling a narrative because we have been taught that truth is something that can be controlled.
We can manipulate the truth to serve our purposes, but the truth itself is constant. It originates from the unchanging nature of God. Jesus came to show us God's truth, so we should not distort it but instead accept it.
The Bible states that the Devil is the Father of Lies, and there is no truth in him. Therefore, the spread of lies contradicts God, who is the author and creator of truth.
The oldest lies dating back to the garden still ringing out today
You can find happiness apart from God.
Happiness is in
Earning people’s love
Making money or having a great job
The possessions you own
OR being your own king (or queen)
Argumentation:
Jesus’ coming the first time was to suffer and die.
But His Word says He is coming again, only the next time He will come reigning and ruling over the world.
Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and He judges and makes war in righteousness.
His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on His head. He had a name written that no one knows except Himself.
He wore a robe stained with blood, and His name is the Word of God.
The armies that were in heaven followed Him on white horses, wearing pure white linen.
A sharp sword came from His mouth, so that He might strike the nations with it. He will shepherd them with an iron scepter. He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Almighty.
And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS
AND LORD OF LORDS.
The first time Jesus came as a humble king, laying down his life so we could be spared and brought into his kingdom.
Next time He will come as The Victorious King establishing His eternal kingdom.
Application:
When Kings won battles, the best of that nation’s belongings was plundered and placed in the King’s possessions.
Jesus is not like a king of the world.
He came to take from us, what keeps us from coming to Him.
Our sins keeps us from Recognizing Christ as King.
Lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.
Causes us to Reject Him as King over us. and yet His Response is not wrath, but Love.
Song
“How many Kings step down from their thrown?
How many Lord have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
Only One [King] did that for me, and for you.”
Visualization
When we Recognize Jesus is the True King, and we Reject our own agendas, We can Respond in faithful service to the Him.
“The Queen Mary”
1937, Luxury ship-First of its kind. England to the US
WWII, it was repurposed the vessel to transport troops,
the expensive rooms turned to basic barracks,
the dance floor turned into a mobile hospital.
The owners of The Queen Mary Recognized the greater need.
They Rejected the idea that it was time to be passive.
They Responded in action
The Nation of Israel believed the King prophesied about in the OT would come to bring prosperity, convenience, even entertainment.
Yet, Jesus knew a greater purpose needed to be met.
He became broken so that we could be healed,
He wrestled with sin so that we could find rest.
Only One King did that for you.
Reiteration [in closing] b nyb
Recognize: Jesus is a King, like no other King.
Recognize your need for Him to be King of your life.
Action
Reject: that this is a season of comfort and rest.
Reject The lies that you are better off without a king.
Appeal
Respond by trusting Jesus as King and upholding His commands
Respond by placing your faith in that Faithful King.
