2021-04-04 Unfair: An Easter Message

EXPLAIN HANDOUTS

Ask Ushers to pass them out to those who don’t have one yet.

DISCOVER (Message Notes)

INTRODUCTION

Happy Easter!

Welcome everyone talk about how the story of Easter is more important for us to hear now than ever.

One thing I love about Easter is...

Peeps!

It’s kind of become an annual tradition to throw out Peeps each year, so here we go!

Pass out peeps to the congregation

I want to start this message off with one of the most important things you will ever hear...

Jesus Is Risen!

Briefly talk about this

Now...

There’s a reason why I wanted to start out this morning on a high note.

And that’s because...

Lately there seems to be a lot of things that’s been affecting our families, friends, and communities that are just, for last of a better term, “unfair!”

While I realize this isn’t a new phenomenon, all of us have at one time or another come to the harsh reality that...

“Life Is Unfair! And It’s Not Fair That Life Is Unfair.” ~Edward Abbey

Bill Gates puts it a little more bluntly, “Life is not fair. Get used to it.”

If unfairness means, “not behaving according to the principles of equality and justice,” than don’t we want life to be fair?

Every time I turn on the news, it seems like all I ever hear is about how we need more equality and justice in this world—how everyone is being treated unfairly.

For instance, here’s some recent headlines...

Apple wants 'tainted' verdict tossed over unfair jury. ~appleinsider.com

Pelosi overturning Iowa House election would be 'horribly unfair' to voters. ~foxnews.com

Bill to Make Marijuana Legal Helps Address Past Unfair Enforcement, New York City Officials Say. ~wsj.com

United Steelworkers go on strike at nine facilities over unfair labor practices. ~wpxi.com

NBA team execs won’t stop crying about how unfair the buyout market is. ~silverscreenandroll.com

Uncle Ernie: That’s Unfair!

When I would have discussions with my Uncle Ernie and say, “That’s Unfair!”

He would stop and ask me to define fair.

This helped me to begin at a young age to understand that life isn’t fair.

And fair for me, could end up making it unfair for someone else.

But...

While I am much better at getting it that life’s not fair up here (point to head), it’s a whole different matter altogether at trying to figure it out here, (point to heart).

I’m not the only one who’s ever cried out...

“Jesus, It’s Just Not Fair!”

Probably not. I’m sure we all have.

Briefly talk about this.

So, when you find yourself crying out like this; hurting, angry, confused—asking more questions than then there are answers, you may find some comfort knowing that...

1. JESUS UNDERSTANDS LIFE ISN’T FAIR

For us to truly understand the full implications of this statement, we first have to understand...

If Life Should’ve Been Fair to Anyone, It Should’ve Been Jesus!

I mean...

He was perfect in every way!

He loved people others made excuses to hate

Luke 6:27–28 NLT

27 “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.

Jesus gave people hope by telling them the Good News that there was so much more than mere existing or even surviving—that there was a Heaven to gain.

He healed and showed compassion on confused and helpless people wherever He went.

Matthew 9:35b–36 NLT

35 Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

He was so much more than your “all around good guy!” He never even told a lie.

1 Peter 2:22 NLT

22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone.

Yet...

After all this guy did for people, you would think they would have lined up to kiss His feet and thank Him for all He did for them!

But the very thing we are celebrating this morning points out all to clearly...

Life Wasn’t Fair to Jesus!

Even after all the good Jesus did in His short thirty-three years of life on earth, the people were just as fickle back then as they are today.

In the last week of His life, they went from shouting “Hosanna, glory to God in the highest,” to “Crucify Him!”

Talk about unfair...

The “System” Wasn’t Fair to Jesus

Let’s take a look at Matt. 27:11, as we will stay with this passage awhile.

You see...

The Religious Leaders Weren’t Fair

They had set a trap for Him...

Matthew 27:11–14 NLT

11 Now Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor. “Are you the king of the Jews?” the governor asked him. Jesus replied, “You have said it.” 12 But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. 13 “Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?” Pilate demanded. 14 But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise.

Sometimes, when the lies and gossip are being thrown your way, it’s best to just keep your mouth shut and let the Lord vindicate you.

Matthew 27:15–18 NLT

15 Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowd—anyone they wanted. 16 This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man named Barabbas. 17 As the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house that morning, he asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 (He knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.)

“The religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.”

Jesus wasn’t arrested because He had committed a crime, He was arrested because people were envious of Him!

Sure, that’s a capital offense!

Not only the religious leaders, but...

The Courts Weren’t Fair

There wasn’t any justice being carried out here!

This was a kangaroo court!

There was nothing fair about it!

But...

What about the people?

Sure, the system was fixed.

But...

What about the people He had healed and set free?

Surely many of them would come to His rescue—right?

That seems only “fair.”

Nope! Because...

The Crowds Weren’t Fair to Jesus

Matthew 27:19–21 NLT

19 Just then, as Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Leave that innocent man alone. I suffered through a terrible nightmare about him last night.” 20 Meanwhile, the leading priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death. 21 So the governor asked again, “Which of these two do you want me to release to you?” The crowd shouted back, “Barabbas!”

Matthew 27:22–23 NLT

22 Pilate responded, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!” 23 “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?” But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”

Let’s see, who should I free...

Notorious criminal: Barabbas

The crowd responds: “Free him!”

Or...

Jesus the Messiah (Savior)

The crowd responds: “Crucify (kill) Him!”

Oh yeah...

That seems totally fair to me!

While we’re at it, how about this one...

Justice Wasn’t Fair to Jesus

Matthew 27:24–26 NLT

24 Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!” 25 And all the people yelled back, “We will take responsibility for his death—we and our children!” 26 So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.

The Governor knew Jesus was innocent—He knew it!

But he didn’t want to take responsibility, so he handed it over to mob rule.

He let a criminal go free and ordered an innocent man to be flogged and crucified!

Hopefully you’re getting the point of what I am trying to get across this morning.

But, just in case you’re still tempted to believe the lies of satan, when he tells you that Jesus doesn’t understand your pain and sorrow when life treats you or your loved ones unfairly, I want you to hear this...

The Cross Wasn’t Fair to Jesus!

And for that, we have to continue on in Matt. 27:27.

But before we do, would you take a moment and close your eyes as you listen to these verses and try to picture what you are hearing?

For time, just read the passages without giving any commentary.

Matthew 27:27–29 NLT

27 Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. 29 They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!”

Matthew 27:30–31 NLT

30 And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. 31 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.

Matthew 27:35–38 NLT

35 After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. 36 Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there. 37 A sign was fastened above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 38 Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

Matthew 27:39–40 NLT

39 The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. 40 “Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!”

Matthew 27:41–44 NLT

41 The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus. 42 “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him! 43 He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” 44 Even the revolutionaries who were crucified with him ridiculed him in the same way.

Church...

It Just Wasn’t Fair!

It wasn’t fair that Jesus had to endure the pain and humiliation of being repeatedly beaten, flogged, and tortured!

It wasn’t fair when they pulled out His beard while mocking and spitting at Him!

It wasn’t fair when the solders called Him names while pressing a crown of sharp thorns deep into the flesh of His forehead!

It wasn’t fair that while He was exasperating on His own blood, barely able to take a breath, some of His closest friends were running away and denying any relationship with Him!

And yet...

As unfair as all these things were to Jesus, there was one thing that was so unfair to Him, it surpasses them all!

Pause...

That the spotless—sinless—Lamb of God—became the ultimate sacrifice for filthy—vile—ungrateful sinners, just like me!

You know what put Jesus on that cross?

My sin

Your sin

Our sin

The sins of this word

We are going to circle back to this, as it is the most important point in the whole message of the Bible.

However, before we do...

I want to share something that’s been on my heart for those of us who are struggling with seeing someone we love to go through a situation that just doesn’t seem fair.

And that is this...

2. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER UNDERSTANDS LIFE ISN’T FAIR

Lately, I’ve had some close friends and family go through some things that can only be labeled downright—unfair!

From ugly divorces

Unfair child support payment schedules

Sudden loss of family members

Foster care injustice

Sickness and cancer impacting the lives of godly men and women who “just don’t deserve it”

It’s so hard to see someone I love go through something that’s “unfair”!

Story of Ken and Janet Duke (visited us two years ago)

Pastor Ken was Married to his first wife Jackie for 41 years.

They had 2 Children, 6 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren together.

Then in 2011, she came down with her second bout of cancer and passed away in only a matter of months.

While it was short, she suffered greatly!

Later, God brought Pastor and a wonderful lady who was serving in my church as a deaconess together and they got married.

Janet had been married before to an extremely abusive husband who literally tried to kill her, but God saved her and brought her out of the destructive relationship.

She was an amazing woman of God who made sure our small church took good care of me and my family!

I was honored to officiate their wedding!

Then on Christmas day, Janet began to feel bad and through a series of scans, she was diagnosed with cancer that started in her appendix and is now ravaging her body.

She tried chemo, but it was so hard on her, the doctors told her this past week to go home and enjoy the rest her life.

They are giving her less than two years (and that’s if she had completed chemo).

UNFAIR—YEAH!

Briefly talk about this...

Would you mind keeping my dear friends on your prayer list?

God knows what it’s like to see a loved one treated unfairly because...

The Cross Wasn’t Fair to God

The cross wasn’t only unfair to Jesus, it was unfair to His Father, The Creator of all things.

If you were able to look through the eyes of His Father, God could have easily said, “Life didn’t treat my Son Fairly. After all He did for them, that’s how they repaid Him?”

In his book, “Hope in the Dark: Believing God is Good When Life Is Not,” Pastor Craig Groeschel of life.church writes...

“Most of us probably don’t think much about the pain and anguish that God the Father surely experienced at this loss. Certainly, I don’t want to project our human emotions onto God.

But since we are created in his image, and because we can see how God responds to His people throughout Scripture (expressing love, jealousy, and compassion, to name just a few emotions), I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that God suffered an enormous burden in sending his only Son to be born into our sin-stained world.

But that was the only way He could build relationship with His earthly sons and daughters. By giving us the gift of free will—which, thanks to Adam and Eve, we wasted no time unwrapping.

He also allowed us to live in a world that suffers from our selfishness and sin. He tried the direct approach, but His people just kept wandering away from Him, always looking for ways to get what they wanted—idols, power, and deceit.

So, it wasn’t fair. A perfect, holy, and just God found himself separated from His imperfect, earthly, sinful creations. By sacrificing Jesus—His own Son—God created a bridge that allows us to know Him, to be forgiven of our sins, and to be remade in the image of Christ.

But in order to give up His Son (again, not fair), God had to first allow Jesus to suffer in a way that must have felt unbearable to God as a Father.”

https://www.relevantmagazine.com/faith/craig-groeschel-on-why-christians-shouldnt-expect-life-to-be-fair/

Our Heavenly Father Knows What It’s Like to See Someone Treated Unfairly

So...

When you say, “God just doesn’t understand”—He does!

Briefly talk about this

CONCLUSION

Next week, we are going to pick up with part two of our “UNFAIR” Series with...

Next Week: THANK GOODNESS, GOD’S NOT FAIR!

You will want to hear me out on this one.

So don’t miss it!

When it all comes down to it...

Jesus Endured the Unfair for Us

COMMUNION

Going back to what I said earlier...

As unfair as all the things Jesus endured while on earth—including the cross, there was one thing that was so unfair to Him, it surpasses them all!

That the spotless—sinless—Lamb of God—became the ultimate sacrifice for filthy—vile—ungrateful sinners, just like me!

Give the plan of Salvation

Don’t forget people online watching

RESPOND (How Are You Being Challenged to Respond to Today’s Message?)

____ I am struggling with being treated unfairly.

____ I am struggling with seeing someone I love being treated unfairly.

____ I recognize that Jesus was treated unfairly for my actions/sins and I want to accept what He did on the cross to take away my sins.

GROW (Going Deeper for Personal Study)

What does the word “unfair” mean to you?

Why do you think Jesus was willing to endure so much “unfairness” for us?

Why does God allow “unfair” things to happen to us?

For the purpose of printing the handout, “RESPOND” should be placed after “GROW” so it can be perforated and torn off.