Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

The Westing Game summary -

The bible has a story line in it called the Messiah.

The Messiah was a promised individual who would end oppression to God’s people and rule over them as well as other nations.

The Messiah was in fact, to be a king who rules.

In the minds of all, a king is supposed to rule over others but in our text tonight others appear to be ruling over him.

A king is supposed to be respected by his subjects, but in our text tonight Jesus is not.

A king is supposed to be more valuable than a criminal, but in our text tonight Jesus is treated as one.

A king is supposed to have power over his enemies, but in our text tonight Jesus’ enemies have power over him.

A king is supposed to save himself, but in our text tonight Jesus does not.

In our text tonight the climax of the mystery the Messiah, the one who was promised to reign and rule, dies, and in the eyes of all his reign has come to an end.

Exposition of the Text (Luke 23)

Tracking the Movements of Jesus

From heaven: Christmas story and Jesus identified as the “son of God”.

In the Wilderness

Luke 4:

In Galilee

Luke 4:14

Toward Jerusalem

In Jerusalem

The inhabited of Jerusalem, both Jews and Gentiles (Romans), try to send him back.

To Galilee

Luke 23:

To the wilderness (Death)

:

Luke 4:

Jesus King of the Gentiles ()

[] It helps me to look at the Gospels or historical narrative literature in the same way as I would a play.

When you want to change scenes you will typically draw the curtain.

In this case, we start chapter 23 with Jesus being brought before Pilate.

The council, elders, chief priests, and scribes, hear what they need to hear of Jesus in chapter 24:66-70 and now they are ready to turn him over to the authority for punishment.

And keep in mind that we learn from earlier in Luke that death is the only acceptable punishment.

Luke 22:

And here in we see how far they are willing to go in order to see this fulfilled.

[] - The council has a threefold accusation of Jesus:

First - Jesus is “misleading our nation”

“misleading” - means twisting

Second - Jesus is “forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar”

Third - “saying that he himself is Christ, a king”

What is fascinating here from a literary standpoint is that Pilate focuses on the what I would argue is the least significant of the three accusations.

If Jesus is “misleading our nation” maybe he is fearful there will be a rebellion.

This would not be good for Pilate if there was a rebellion in his district.

Or if Jesus was truly “forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar” this would be less tax revenue.

I don’t know much about government but I do know that if you don’t try to lead a rebellion and pay your taxes they tend to leave you be…most governments.

But why does Pilate hone in on the “king” accusation.

By asking Jesus “Are you the King of the Jews?”, he is trying to diffuse the situation by mocking both Jesus and his accusers.

I mean if you’re Pilate, how could this prisoner in your possession truly be a King and be a threat to you?

Hence, the mockery.

Jesus responds in the same fashion to Pilate as he did to the council, “You have said so” (contrast to “You say that I AM” ego imui), which convinces Pilate that he’s nuts or this isn’t a serious situation and he chooses to dismiss Jesus.

We’ll…poor Pilate misread the situation because this puts Jesus’ accusers in rage and they double down on the first accusation that he’s misleading the nation.

But his ears perk up again at an unlikely accusation…he’s from Galilee.

[] - Jesus before Herod

Pilate sees that his attempts to mock or belittle this situation has only caused it more turmoil or he knew that Herod wanted to meet Jesus or a little of both he send’s Jesus to Herod.

At the end of verse 7, we see a phrase that our church loves because highlights the providence of God, “who was himself in Jerusalem at that time.”

The 1689 Baptist Confession says regarding God’s work of providence:

God, as the righteous Judge, sometimes blinds and hardens wicked and ungodly people because of their sins.

He withholds His grace from them, by which they could have been enlightened in their understanding and had their hearts renewed.18

Not only that, but sometimes He also takes away the gifts they already had and exposes them to situations that their corrupt natures turn into opportunities for sin.20

Moreover, He gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of the world, and the power of Satan, so that they harden themselves in response to the same influences that God uses to soften others.22

Or as I like to tell my children, God has planned all things, then I typically what types of things?, the good and the bad for his glory.

Then I reinforce this truth with another question, “In what event can we see most clearly the providence of God?” Answer: the cross.

Is it good that Jesus died?

Yes.

Is it bad that Jesus died?

Yes.

Then you can start to see the complexities of God’s providence and his glory which will providence a framework of faithfulness for the believer.

What should they do when they encounter the “bad” things of God’s providence?

Be.

Like.

Jesus.

d

1 Peter 3:2

1 Peter 3:21-

-25

-2

1 Peter 2

This little phrase in verse 7 is a reminder that as the stages lights darken the spotlight is still on the true King.

This time Jesus makes no answer to Herod.

Why not?

I’m not 100% sure but I think Jesus is done with the leaders and authorities because in the Gospel of Luke he no longer addresses them.

He will speak again to the crowd, then to God, and then to the prisoner on the cross next to him and not again until after the resurrection.

Verse 10, we see the leaders trailing Jesus wherever he goes to continue the accusations.

The word “vehemently” here is used only one other time in the bible by Luke in describing Apollos’ “powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.”

Jesus is then mocked and dressed up in fancy clothes and sent back to Pilate.

Verse 12, Herod and Pilate become friends because of Jesus.

It’s relevance to the story?

Not sure.

We see now in verse 13-16 that Pilate has doubled down on his original claim of Jesus’ innocence and sentenced him to be punished and released.

[] - The Jews Double Down on Judgment

Verse 17 - is omitted from as it is a textual variant.

Summary of textual criticism if you want.

The opposition has anticipated this and is now very specific in their requests of Pilate.

They want Barabbas.

Who is Barabbas?

Another prisoner with the following charges.

Insurrection “in the city”

Insurrection means = a violent uprising against an authority or government.

The irony of the Jewish leaders is impressive.

“They, not Jesus, are the real enemies of peace and of Rome.

Barabbas is truly guilty of the very crimes they have charged Jesus with committing - “misleading the people.”

(David Garland, p908)

Murder

No additional details are given but this is to amplify the irony on the Jewish leaders.