"The Choices That Define Us" - Matthew 27:22-31

The Walking Point: In the face of injustice, in the face of the crowd's cry, in the face of our own self-preservation, let us all choose the path of Christ. Let us choose righteousness, courage, and love. Let us choose Christ, not the crowd.

I. Engage (5 minutes)

Illustration: The Central Park Five

On the night of April 19, 1989, in New York City's Central Park, a horrific crime occurred.

A young woman named Trisha Meili was brutally attacked and raped.

The city was in an uproar, demanding swift justice.

Five young Black and Latino teenagers, including Korey Wise, became the prime suspects.

The media frenzy was intense.

Public outrage demanded swift justice.

Despite a lack of credible evidence, despite coerced confessions extracted under pressure and duress, these young men were tried and convicted.

They spent years in prison for a crime they didn't commit.

It wasn't until 2002, years later, that DNA evidence conclusively linked a serial rapist, Matias Reyes, to the crime.

Reyes confessed to the attack, and the convictions of the Central Park Five were finally overturned.

Think about the injustice these innocent men endured.

The weight of false accusations.

The powerlessness against a system that seemed determined to condemn them.

The betrayal of a society that should have protected them.

Imagine the years stolen.

Imagine the lives shattered.

All because of a rush to judgment and the pressure of a demanding crowd.

Transition:

"This story, though separated by centuries from the events we're about to explore, shares a chilling resonance with the injustice faced by another innocent man.

This inherent human flaw, this tendency to prioritize self-preservation and social acceptance over truth and righteousness,

is something we see played out in many different ways throughout history

and even in our own lives, and it's vividly portrayed in the events surrounding Jesus's trial before his crucifixion, with the Roman Governor Pilate as judge."

II. Tension: Fallen Condition Focus (3 minutes)

"That story of the Central Park Five, that horrific injustice, reveals a deep and troubling truth about human nature.

We see how easily a crowd, whipped up by emotion and manipulated by those in power, can demand a verdict that ignores truth and destroys lives.

We see how fear and self-preservation can override our sense of justice, leading us to participate in or stand by while terrible things happen.

This inherent human flaw, this tendency to prioritize self-preservation and social acceptance over truth and righteousness, is not just a modern problem.

It's a timeless struggle, a battle between our higher ideals and our human instincts."

This inclination towards self-preservation and social acceptance, this willingness to sacrifice an innocent life for the sake of perceived order is a basic human instinct as a result of the FALL of Man.

TRANSITION: To truly understand the weight of this condition let's examine the unfolding events of Jesus's trial, beginning with Matthew 27, verse 11."

III. Truth (20 minutes)

(Matthew 27:11-14 the Calm of Jesus)

Matthew 27:11–14 ESV

11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

Judas has turned Jesus over to the Jewish authorities.

They want to kill him. Nothing else will do.

But they do not have the authority to order death.

The narrative from John 18:31 of this same account says that the Jews had said that it was unlawful for them to put anyone to death.

They have to declare Jesus guilty of a capital crime against both Jewish and Roman law, even though he was innocent.

The Jews had said he was guilty because of his confession that he is the Christ, the King of the Jews. This would be blasphemy if it were not the truth.

Blasphemy didn't interest Pilate at all. He really could not care any less if Jesus claimed to be the Jewish God.

BUT, SEDITION would, trying to overthrow the Roman government.

So the Jewish leaders change their charges to be more political, Luke 23:2 tells us this:

Luke 23:2 ESV

2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”

and they lead Pilate on with the question they want him to ask Jesus. “Are you the king of the Jews”, which would lead to Jesus incriminating himself.

In all four gospels we see this question, with the same reply in all four, “You have said so”.

Jesus cannot deny that he is the king of the Jews, but he also is not king as Pilate understands it, because his kingdom is not like the kingdoms of this world.

Pilate marvels at him because he does not defend himself. Pilate clearly doubts that Jesus is guilty or dangerous.

When Jesus refuses to defend himself, it convinces Pilate of his innocence, even though it leads to his conviction in the end.

Transition: "This silence, this refusal to engage with the injustice, sets the stage for Pilate's attempt to navigate the situation, a situation fueled by the same pressures we saw in our opening story."

(Verses 15-18: Pilate's Dilemma - The Choice)

Matthew 27:15–18 ESV

15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.

Pilate sees no basis for a guilty verdict.

There was nothing worthy of Rome punishing him.

If the Jews had religious reason to, that’s one thing, but he found him innocent in the eyes of Rome.

He knows it is out of jealousy and self-preservation that they are attempting to get rid of Jesus.

He was drawing their crowds, He was taking their disciples.

Pilate tries to give the Jewish leaders a compromise, because he doesn't have the convictions to carry out justice for Jesus.

Even though he could have very easily turned Jesus lose then and there.

Pilate’s attempt to find a middle ground, shows his lack of moral conviction.

He offers to convict Jesus, but then pardon him through a Roman tradition of releasing a prisoner during Passover as a token of Rome’s good will toward the Jews.

Barabbas, a convicted murderer and is in prison for an insurrection against Rome.

Key Point: Jesus, like those in the Central Park Five case, is caught in a web of political pressure and public outcry.

Even though Pilate finds him not guilty, he is not willing to go against the crowd. He's trying to control a situation spiraling out of his control.

Transition:

"Pilate's attempts to control the situation, to navigate this treacherous path, are suddenly interrupted by a divine warning, a voice of truth breaking through the chaos."

(Verse 19: Pilate's Wife's Dream - The Warning)

Matthew 27:19 ESV

19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.”

Pilate's wife, acting on a divinely inspired dream, warns him of Jesus's innocence.

Romans often viewed dreams as omens, and God likely used the dream to signal Jesus's innocence.

Key Point: This warning, like the eventual DNA evidence in the Central Park Five case, is a voice of truth attempting to penetrate the fog of injustice.

Transition: "Yet, driven by political pressure and a desire to avoid further unrest, Pilate persists, offering the crowd one last, tragic chance to choose."

(Verses 20-23: The Crowd's Choice - The Verdict)

Matthew 27:20–23 ESV

20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

The chief priests and elders manipulate the crowd to demand Barabbas's release and Jesus's crucifixion.

The crowd, manipulated by the chief priests and elders, vehemently demands the release of Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus, revealing the power of mob mentality and the leaders’ influence.

Pilate, despite knowing Jesus is innocent, yields to the crowd's pressure.

Pilate's inability to stand for justice, mirrors Peter and the Disciples inability to stand with Jesus.

Key Point: The crowd, like the public in the Central Park Five case, is swayed by emotion and prejudice, demanding a verdict without regard for truth.

One can assume that Pilate wanted to crowd to pick Jesus for several reasons.

Barabbas is a threat to the peace, while Jesus is not.

Pilate’s wife had a dream to release the innocent Jesus.

Pilate has had issues with the Jewish leaders before, so he may just want Jesus to go free to spite them.

He gives the crowd a choice, but the Jewish leaders persuade the crowd to vote for Barabbas and crucify Jesus.

Key Point: The crowd, like the public in the Central Park Five case, is swayed by emotion and prejudice, demanding a verdict without regard for truth.

Pilate, despite knowing Jesus is innocent, yields to the crowd's pressure. He chooses the path of least resistance, failing to uphold justice.

Transition: "Faced with the inevitable, Pilate makes a final, desperate, and ultimately futile attempt to escape responsibility, a symbolic act that reveals the depth of his moral failure."

(Verses 24-26: Pilate's Failed Attempt - The Inevitable Injustice)

Matthew 27:24–26 ESV

24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

Pilate washes his hands, declaring his innocence, but this does not absolve him of guilt.

Pilate's washing of his hands was a symbolic act, but it did not absolve him of guilt. It was a public declaration of his moral failure.

The crowd's declaration, "His blood be on us and on our children!" was a terrible self-curse.

Pilate releases Barabbas and hands Jesus over to be scourged. Roman scourging was a brutal and often fatal punishment, emphasizing Jesus's suffering. a brutal prelude to crucifixion.

The release of Barabbas in place of Jesus, highlighting the great injustice of the situation.

Transition: "With Pilate's authority now relinquished, the soldiers, sensing an opportunity for cruelty, seize control of the scene, adding another layer of injustice to an already horrific spectacle."

(Verses 27-31: The Soldiers' Mockery - The Dehumanization)

Matthew 27:27–31 ESV

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. 28 And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.

The soldiers take Jesus to the governor's headquarters, transforming the seat of Roman authority into a stage for grotesque mockery.

They clothe Jesus in a royal robe, a twisted parody of kingly attire, deliberately mocking his claim to kingship.

They place a crown of thorns on his head and a reed staff in his hand, further emphasizing the cruelty of their mockery.

The soldiers spit on Jesus and strike him, a display of utter contempt.

The soldiers' actions were not merely acts of cruelty, but also a form of blasphemy. They were mocking the very Son of God.

Finally, they remove the robe and lead Jesus away to be crucified.

The stripping of Jesus, and then redressing him, shows the complete lack of respect that they have for Jesus.

"The soldiers, now given free rein, seize their opportunity to inflict further suffering, adding another layer of injustice to an already horrific scene."

Transition: "This harrowing descent into injustice, this display of human cruelty, leads us to a crucial question: How should we respond to such a profound and tragic display of love and sacrifice?"

IV. Application (5 minutes)

The events we've explored today are not just history.

We live in a world with the same struggles even now. So, how do we apply this?

What do we take away?

(Judge Wisely)

Are we quick to condemn, fueled by social media outrage or the echo chamber of our own opinions?

Do we seek out the full truth, the context, the nuance, before casting judgment?

Remember the crowd, swayed by manipulation, demanding a verdict without evidence.

Let us be people of discernment, seeking understanding, not merely joining the chorus of condemnation.

(Stand Courageously)

In the face of social pressure or fear, do we prioritize fitting in, avoiding conflict, or protecting our own comfort? \

Pilate chose the path of least resistance, a path that led to injustice. Let us choose instead the path of Christ, the path of courage, even when it demands sacrifice, even when it makes us unpopular.

(Embrace Christ's Example)

Jesus, in the face of immense injustice, remained faithful and loving.

Let us follow his example, not in passive submission, but in active love, in service to others, in a commitment to righteousness,

even when surrounded by a world that seems to have abandoned it.

Let us reject the path of self-preservation and embrace the path of self-giving love.

(Act for Justice)

Jesus’ Trial with Pilate, The Central Park Five case, and countless other examples, remind us that injustice is not just a historical problem; it is a present reality.

Let us be a voice for the marginalized and oppressed, those whose voices are silenced, those who are treated with contempt.

Let us remember Jesus's powerlessness in this moment and let it fuel our compassion and our resolve to fight for justice in our own communities and in the world.

It boils down to this:

(The Walking Point)

In the face of injustice, in the face of the crowd's cry,

even in the face of our own self-preservation,

let us all choose the path of Christ.

Let us choose righteousness, courage, and love.

Let us choose Christ, not the crowd.

Transition: "Imagine these two scenes…."

V. Inspiration/Reflection (3 minutes)

Imagine sitting in a courtroom in 1990.

Imagine the faces of those young men.

Imagine the weight of the accusations pressing down on them.

Imagine the anger of the crowd.

Imagine the pronouncements of guilt.

Now, imagine that same scene, but two thousand years earlier.

Imagine Jesus, standing before Pilate.

Imagine the taunting of the crowd ringing in his ears.

Imagine the weight of injustice pressing down on him.

See the crown of thorns, a symbol of mockery, a symbol of pain.

Feel the sting of the whip, the humiliation of the moment.

Both scenes, separated by centuries, echo with the same chilling truth:

Injustice deforms.

Injustice dehumanizes.

Injustice destroys.

But in the midst of that darkness, in both scenarios, a different choice was possible.

A choice for truth.

A choice for righteousness.

A choice for Christ.

Transition: "How should we respond to these profound display of injustice, these powerful calls to choose justice?"

VI. Action/Next Step (2 minutes)

For believers:

(Reflect on Judgment)

This week, examine a situation where you might be tempted to jump to conclusions or join a "crowd" mentality, as seen in the Central Park Five case and the trial of Jesus.

Instead, commit to seeking out the truth with humility and discernment.

(Choose Courage)

Identify a moment where you can choose to stand for righteousness, even if it's unpopular or uncomfortable.

Remember Pilate's failure and choose courage, even when it demands sacrifice.

(Embrace Christ's Example)

In your interactions with others, strive to embody Christ's love and compassion, even towards those who are difficult or who have wronged you.

Let this be your response to the cruelty Jesus endured.

(Act for Justice)

Seek out opportunities to advocate for the marginalized and oppressed.

Be a voice for those who are silenced, remembering the injustice faced by both the Central Park Five and Jesus.

Transition: "Let us now approach God in prayer, reflecting on the what we've learned."

VII. Disciple’s Prayer (2 minutes)

Praise:

"Father, we praise you for your unwavering justice, even when human systems fail.

We praise you for Jesus, who, in the face of unimaginable injustice, remained faithful to your will."

Purpose:

"Help us, O God, to live lives that reflect your love and justice, even when it's difficult, even when it's unpopular.

Give us the courage to stand for what is right, to speak truth to power, and to defend the voiceless."

Provision:

"Provide us with the strength to resist the temptations of self-preservation and social acceptance, which so often lead to compromise and injustice.

Give us the discernment to see through manipulation and the wisdom to choose your path."

Pardon:

"Forgive us, Father, for the times we have been silent in the face of injustice, for the times we have prioritized our own comfort over the well-being of others.

Forgive us for the times we have been part of the crowd, rather than standing with Christ."

Protection:

"Protect us from the allure of mob mentality, from the seductive power of prejudice and fear.

Protect us from the tendency to condemn without seeking truth, and from the desire to fit in at the expense of righteousness."

Praise Again:

"We thank you, O God, for the hope found in Jesus Christ, a hope that transcends the injustice of this world, a hope that calls us to a higher standard of love, justice, and truth.

In Jesus Name,

Amen."