Crowd over King

ANNOUCEMENTS

Easter Event — Easter Services — Baptisms

BLUF: Choose the crowd or choose the Christ.

CONNECTION

The term Messiah comes from the Hebrew word Mashiach (מָשִׁיחַ), meaning "anointed one" or "one who is anointed."

In ancient Israel, anointing with oil was a sacred act to consecrate someone for a divinely appointed role, such as a king, priest, or prophet. For example, King David was anointed by the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 16:13).

In the greek it was translated to the word — “Christos.” Again meaning anointed one, but it also meant King in their mind.

The Messiah was supposed to be a conquering King. That why on Palm Sunday Jesus was accepted into Jerusalem with a parade and people crying Hosanna!

— Save us or savior! // Not save us from our sins, save us from Roman rule!

But as we’ve learned Jesus did not come to conquer this world, or establish a Kingdom to compete with this world. He came to establish a kingdom from a whole different perspective.

Today we discuss him moving to the throne and the cost of the journey, particularly, the choices we have to make with this King.

GOD

Bring them up to speed on the last 4 weeks.

Don’t let religion ruin your relationship.

What you build your life on determines what your life becomes.

Worship isn’t about what you say, it’s about what you’re willing to give away.

Humility is not simply a lesson but a lifestyle.

Bring them up to speed on the story so far.

Luke 23:1–2 NIV

1 Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.”

How interesting, Jesus has claimed to be king, being Messiah meant that he was King. They acknowledged that he was claiming to be a king.

Luke 23:3–4 NIV

3 So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 4 Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

In other words — look I know he’s made you mad but there’s nothing I can charge him with. Now, Pilate didn’t need anything to charge him with, but he was in the hot seat in Rome and did not want to cause a riot or problems.

The religious leaders wouldn’t be satisfied. The crowd wouldn’t be satisfied.

Luke 23:5–7 NIV

5 But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.” 6 On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. 7 When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

The crowd gets louder and louder — led by the religious elite.

Pilate shifts responsibility. He pushes it to Herod (same Herod that killed John) b/c Pilate didn’t want to deal with the drama and problem this would bring — talk about how the city was at this time.

Luke 23:8-12 >>> Herod wants Jesus to perform a sign. He doesn’t, so he ends up sending him back to Pilate — not my problem, this is yours.

Luke 23:13–16 NIV

13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.”

Ok fine. I haven't found anything, neither has Herod. so here us what I’ll do. I will punish him and then release him. That should be enough b/c guys I don’t see how he is wrong here.

Pilate tries to meet in the middle.

Luke 23:18–19 NIV

18 But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” 19 (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

Here’s the deal… the crowd wouldn’t be satiated. The crowd wanted Jesus gone. They were willing to trade a murderer for Jesus — the man who worked miracles in their midst...

How horrendous?

Luke 23:20–22 NIV

20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” 22 For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”

The crowd is getting louder and louder — they want Jesus dead.

Pilate is stuck in the middle. He is trying to rule his area of Rome and he gets dragged into this conflict with the religious leaders and this rabbi. The crowd echoes… Crucify him!

He’s caught in the middle and needs to make a decision.

Do the right thing and release Jesus or follow the crowd.

Luke 23:23–25 NIV

23 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

The Christ, the Messiah, the King is traded for a murderer and Pilate caves to sounds of the crowd.

YOU

Notice something — Pilate knew the right thing to do. He knew he should release Jesus, his wife even has dreams about him. Pilate has the information and the power to free him.

Pilate chose the crowd.

Let’s be honest, we can’t be too hard on him can we? haven’t you and I chosen the crowd before? Haven’t we made ignored the truth and decided to follow the will of the crowd?

Gone along with a lie you knew wasn’t right but you did it anyway b/c everyone else was doing it.

Skipping prayer at the family dinner table bc you don’t want to upset your nonbelieving mother in law?

You’ve decided to give, but that new Apple iPhone came out and they all have it… if we could just...ya know skip tithing once we could afford it.

Catching a look as she walks away… all the guys do it.

Hiding your faith at work… I don’t them to think I am a Jesus freak..

Let’s just level with ourselves, we judge Pilate but isn’t it true that we choose the crowd over the Christ too?

For every believer this is a daily challenge that we are faced with — the Pilate Choice.

Choose the Crowd or Choose the King?

See, the crowd is loud in our lives too. Like Pilate we are inundated with voices from the crowd telling us to compromise our Kingdom values and ethics. These voices pressure us to follow the crowd and do what everyone else is doing.

Sleep with her while you’re not married — doesn’t matter.

Your value is wrapped up in you success. So succeed at all costs.

You can drink and get trashed every weekend! It doesn’t matter, it’s not important, you’re not hurting anyone.

Go ahead say it — doesn’t matter if you hurt them — you’re being direct and they’re being soft.

And like Pilate the crowd get’s drowns out the voice of reason and before too long we make a choice. And we don’t always choose the king do we? We choose to follow the crowd, not the king.

I am talking and walking with you, b/c I have been Pilate before too.

Isn’t it true that when you make those decisions you know its wrong and something just doesn’t sit right with you?

Something is missing or in some cases you even feel guilty… B/c you and I aren’t meant to listen to the crowd. We’re meant to follow the King.

And here’s the amazing thing about our king, he doesn’t force you. You get to choose every time you are faced with one of these decisions. It’s your choice.

So here’s the question…

Which do you chose?

Crowd or King?

Prayer to accept Jesus

Move to communion —

Luke 22:17–20 NIV

17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

Invite the worship team up.