JESUS -The Real Revolutionary

Jesus - The Real Revolutionary 

Mark 15:1-15

And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. 

2 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 

3 And the chief priests accused him of many things. 

4 And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” 

5 But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified 

6 Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. 

7 And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. 

8 And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. 

9 And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 

10 For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. 

11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. 

12 And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” 

13 And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” 

14 And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” 

15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

Introduction

There have been many revolutions throughout history most of them have been political. With few exceptions most revolutions do not end up, bringing about the desired result. Usually a bad ruler is simply replaced with another bad ruler. The American revolution is one of the few exceptions to this. This may be because of two reasons one, the American Revolution was based more on ideas than on personality and two, George Washington laid down power and the opportunity to become king. For the most part revolutions simply end up replacing one tyrannical leader with another. In the scripture, we read this morning we see that Jesus brought about a revolution that was not only political but deeply transformative to the human condition. He is a revolutionary like no other revolutionary.

In the book of Mark, this is the first time we see Jesus before the Gentile powers - the power of Rome. Here we see three man-made powers come together to put Jesus on the cross. They are their religious powers, the political powers, and the power of the people. All three of them conspire together to put Jesus on the cross. This is because the revolution of Jesus is unlike any other revolution. 

Jesus had three trials that put them on the cross:

The religious trial

Religion isn't always a bad word, but for our purposes today, I will define religion as rules about God.

This type of religion focus focuses on the status quo.

It's more about keeping people in line and in control than it is about life change

When does type of religion joins with the state? It is a powerful tool of control.

Jesus openly challenged this type of religion.

Jesus called all people back to a genuine relationship with God. This is a religion that doesn't put one person above another, but all are equally in need of God.

The political trial

Pilots question: 2 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 

This? From pontius Pilate was in no way theological. It was a purely political question.

Jesus answer is ambiguous on purpose. He simply says you said it.

Is Jesus a political figure? Yes, and no.

All other politicians seek their power. Jesus brings a political revolution by laying down, not only his power, but laying down his life.

According to secular historian, tom Holland, Christianity brought a radical change into the ancient world and we still feel the effects today.

In the ancient world about 60% of Roman citizens or men. That is because fathers in the Roman world, but often discard their female babies. This was completely legal.

The Christian said no women are made in the image of God as well as men.

Slaves had no rights at all. A male slave could exploit his female slaves anyway he wished.

The Christians said that slaves and free people were both valuable and made in God's image

Romans didn't care for the poor. The idea that the government should provide a social safety net came from Christianity.

Christian save the babies that were thrown away on the trash heaps

During the plagues, they cared for the sick even in some cases becoming sick themselves.

This type of subversion changed the ancient world

Pontius Pilate was astonished that Jesus would not defend himself.

Jesus brings a political revolution, not by taking power, but by laying down his life

The popular trial

The people chose, Barabbas over Jesus.

Scholars pointed out that Barabbas was his family name, but his first name was actually Jesus

The people had a choice between Jesus, the revolutionary, and Jesus the savior

We often say that we wanna leader like Jesus, but more often than not we choose leaders like Barabbas.

Unwittingly what the people chose here was substitution

The one who is innocent, took the place of the murderer who deserved death

That's what Jesus has done for us. He has taken the place that we deserve

And all these trials, Jesus was found innocent, but took the place of the guilty

The Revolution of Barabbas was one that could be stopped. Jesus started a revolution that cannot be stopped.