HE WAS SILENT

SERIES: AGAINST ALL ODDS, Sermon 2

Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 

Matthew 27:12–14 “And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.”

Mark 15:3–5 “And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing. And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.”

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Good morning, everybody! I hope you’ve had a great week. Are you ready to go deeper into God’s Word today?

We have a few weekends between now and Easter, which is the most important day on the Christian calendar. So, we are preparing ourselves by looking at the things Jesus did that weekend that were superhuman. They were against all odds.

Last week we walked through some of the prophecies Jesus fulfilled from Isaiah 53. Prophecies that He fulfilled against all odds. This morning, I want to begin to walk through some of the major prophecies one at a time.

The first major prophecy He fulfilled during His final 36 hours was… He remained silent, refusing to defend Himself while on trial for things He did not do.

I thought about asking how many of you have ever been put on trial, but then it occurred to me that that might be a sensitive issue. So instead of asking if you’ve ever been put on trial, I’ll just ask you to imagine being put on trial: Imagine yourself appearing before court officials, with other people watching. You’re being accused of something that could give you the death sentence. You’re there without a defense attorney, without a friend, without your momma.  Everyone is against you, and you know you did not do what you’re being charged with doing. How would you feel? What would you do? How would you get yourself out of that situation and back into a normal life?

That’s the situation Jesus faced, not once, not twice, but six times over a six-hour period until morning. In all six of those trials, He did not defend Himself.

What are the odds that if you were on trial you would not defend yourself? HE WAS SILENT!

To help you feel the full weight of this, I want to walk you through those six trials over the next 20 minutes. Take out your note pad, and let’s get started. Most of you probably know about the Last Supper. It was the dinner party where Jesus said to the disciples, Matthew 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

Jesus celebrated that supper, the Jewish Seder Meal with men that had been with him during His ministry. Afterwards, He walked about 1,200 yards from the Upper Room to the Mount of Olives where He prayed, “Father, if it is possible, take this cup from Me. But nevertheless, not My will but Thy will be done.”

After having sweat like blood running down His face, Jesus resolved Himself to go through with His mission of dying for the sins of the world on a Roman cross. Let me read you the story from here. All four Gospels record it. I’ll read you John’s words from John 18:12 - 14

12 Then the company of soldiers, the commander, and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus and tied him up. 13 First they led him to Annas, since he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be better for one man to die for the people.

Annas was the former high priest of Israel. He had been deposed by Rome, who put his son-in-law, Caiaphas in charge in his place. So, the first of Jesus’ trials took place in front of Annas, the real power behind the religious leaders of his day. Jesus’ Six Trials:

   1. Before Annas (the former High Priest). This trial is recorded in all four of the Gospels.

Remember, Jesus has celebrated the Last Supper, preached a sermon, and prayed a prayer before walking the ¾ of a mile to Gethsemane, and spending an hour in prayer there. The soldiers have to get Jesus about half a mile to Caiaphas’s house, so the trial started at about 2 a.m. and lasted less than a half hour. The trial before Annas was a pre-qualifying trial. They brought Him before the big daddy to determine if He deserved to be executed. Annas decided that He did. So he handed Jesus over to his son-in-law for the next phase. This trial was at night. Which was illegal. There were no charges brought against Him, which was unlawful. Annas wants Him dead, so Caiaphas, the official high priest has to come up with a charge. This was trial number two.

   2. Before Caiaphas (the current High Priest). It takes place in the same house. Probably at about 2:30 a.m.

Again, the trial is at night and therefore illegal. In addition, Jesus has no legal representation, which was also illegal. It’s during this trial that Peter, who had followed at a distance, denied knowing him three times while he warmed himself by the fire outside Caiaphas’ house. In trial #2, Jesus was charged with blasphemy, which carried the death sentence.

Mark writes in Mark 14:55 - 56, 55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they could not find any. 56 For many were giving false testimony against him, and the testimonies did not agree.

60 Then the high priest stood up before them all and questioned Jesus, “Don’t you have an answer to what these men are testifying against you?” 61 But he kept silent and did not answer. Again the high priest questioned him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

62 “I am,” said Jesus, “and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.” 63 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “Why do we still need witnesses?64 You have heard the blasphemy. What is your decision?” They all condemned him as deserving death.

The trial concluded while it was still dark, so to make it official, a third trial was convened at 6 a.m., which was just after sunrise. This trial was Before the Sanhedrin (Jewish high counsel).

Mark wrote in 15:1 As soon as it was morning, having held a meeting with the elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin, the chief priests tied Jesus up, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.

At this trial, they pronounced the death sentence. Since Israel was ruled by Rome, they didn’t have the power to carry out the death sentence. They needed Pilate’s permission. So, trial #4 started at about 6:30 am….

   4. Before Pilate (the Roman ruler). So, Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

He answered him, “You say so.” 3 And the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 Pilate questioned him again, “Aren’t you going to answer? Look how many things they are accusing you of!” 5 But Jesus still did not answer, and so Pilate was amazed. Mark 15:2-5

Pilate found Jesus not guilty. But he was afraid of the Jews, so to put the blame on someone else, he sent Jesus to Herod, who was the officially sanctioned Jewish ruler.

   5. Before Herod (the Jewish ruler). Trial #5 started at about 7 a.m. Luke is the only one who records this trial. He says…4 Pilate then told the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no grounds for charging this man.” 5 But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he started even to here.” Jesus Faces Herod Antipas

6 When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean. 7 Finding that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days. 8 Herod was very glad to see Jesus; for a long time he had wanted to see him because he had heard about him and was hoping to see some miracle performed by him. 9 So he kept asking him questions, but Jesus did not answer him. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 Then Herod, with his soldiers, treated him with contempt, mocked him, dressed him in bright clothing, and sent him back to Pilate.

12 That very day Herod and Pilate became friends. Previously, they had been enemies. Lk. 23:4-12

Trials unite strange friends. Herod found Jesus not guilty. So that put Him back in Pilate’s hands.

At about 7:30, the final trial began. This one was, Before Pilate again.

Luke 23 says, 13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14 and said to them, “You have brought me this man as one who misleads the people. But in fact, after examining him in your presence, I have found no grounds to charge this man with those things you accuse him of. 15 Neither has Herod, because he sent him back to us. Clearly, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore, I will have him whipped and then release him.” Pilate finds Him not guilty again. BUT,

18 Then they all cried out together, “Take this man away! (The Hebrew word for “take away” is “azazel,” the exact word they used when the Scapegoat was away into the wilderness to take away the sins of the people.” “Azazel…”)

Release Barabbas to us!” 19 (He had been thrown into prison for a rebellion that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) 20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify! Crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What has this man done wrong? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have him whipped and then release him.”

23 But they kept up the pressure, demanding with loud voices that he be crucified, and their voices won out. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand 25 and released the one they were asking for, who had been thrown into prison for rebellion and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will.

Luke 23:13-25

700 years earlier, Isaiah wrote this about the Messiah: He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth.

Isaiah 53:7

That’s a pretty apt description for what happened, isn’t it? What are the odds?

You’ve all been in a position where someone was accusing you of something you didn’t think you’d done. What did you do? When you’re accused, B. When should you defend yourself?

1. When nobody else will. An antagonist says, “He cheated!” And your friend speaks up for you and says, “No he didn’t.” But, if you have no friend to speak up for you, you defend yourself and say, “No I didn’t.”

You defend yourself when nobody else will. And, you defend yourself…

2. When proving your innocence will benefit you. If it doesn’t really matter, you might not bother to refute someone’s claims. In Jesus’ case, it really mattered. His life was on the line. Which raises another question:

C. What should you do when you’re guilty? The answer to that is, you should…

1. Admit it. You say, “Yes, it was me. I did it. I was wrong. "When you’re guilty, own it and admit your mistake, and then, step 2, you…

2. Pay the price. If you owe $200 for a traffic violation, you pay the $200 and move on.

But Jesus didn’t have a debt. Because He wasn’t guilty. He was charged with blasphemy. Blasphemy is claiming to be God. You can’t blaspheme by claiming to be God if you are God. Jesus wasn’t guilty of blasphemy.

And the Romans wouldn’t execute him for blasphemy even if He was. So the priests accused Him of treason. He wasn’t guilty of treason. He didn’t threaten Caesar, or Rome. Jesus was innocent on all charges. So…

CONCLUDION

D. Why didn’t Jesus defend Himself? Jesus didn’t defend Himself…

1. Because He was innocent. He was innocent. And because He was innocent, He knew if He opened His mouth, the Romans would set Him free. Jesus was silent…

2. Because He would have been set free.

Earlier in His ministry, a man came to Jesus and asked, “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar?” It was an entrapping question. If Jesus said, “Yes,” they would accuse Him of being a Roman sympathizer. If He said, “No,” they would accuse Him of being disloyal to Rome. Jesus said, “Show me a coin. Whose picture is on it?” When the man said, “Caesar’s” He said, “Give Caesar what is Caesar’s, and God what is God’s.”

Another time, Jesus told a religious type to love his neighbor as himself. The religious guy responded, “Who is my neighbor?” To which Jesus told him the story of The Good Samaritan. – A story about a person from a despised half-breed race who did something so noble you had to admit that he was your neighbor. A man as smart and articulate as Jesus could have gotten Himself set free from any charges, if He had chosen to speak up.

And if He’d been set free, He wouldn’t have paid the price for the things we had done wrong.

3. Because we would have had to pay for our own sins. Like a sheep before its shearers, Jesus was silent because He knew…4. We couldn’t pay for our own sins. Why was Jesus willing to pay the price for your sin? For my sin? 5. Because He loves us. (me – and you)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Paying for my sin was more important than saving His own life. Some people keep God at arm’s length because they have no idea what He’s done for them. Some keep Him far off because they don’t realize how deeply He feels about them. Let me tell you, God LOVES you. Today is a day to break down all your barriers and let Him in.

Let Him into your life. Let Him into your heart. Let Him lead you from earth to glory. HOLY GHOST TAKE US HOME!!!