Accused for Me

We have many people to be praying for. Many things in the world to be praying for. Situations, health, war. We know that in this world, as Jesus said, we’re going to have trouble. There is evil in this world. And we see its face daily. I think that one thing we always need to do as Christians or as a church family is to pray for ourselves (not selfishly…but purposefully)…so we can both individually and collectively be the people who reflect Christ to other people while in the midst of evil things…in the midst of trouble. We give, we serve and we live like Christ did and does. I think it is appropriate that we band together in prayer for our church family, our global church family, and for ourselves. I think its appropriate this morning to ask for God’s blessing in our lives and His help to recognize it. Let’s pray together…I’ll begin and then we can all pray together, silently as you wish, and then I’ll close. There’s power in prayer right? Actually the power is from the One we pray to. So let’s pray together.

SLIDE - Two things Jesus is ultimately accused of. One of these things He is accused of rightly…but people miss it. The other He’s accused of falsely…but it is for our benefit.

Two weeks ago we began a journey to the cross and empty tomb. Both the most pivotal points in reality. And we’ve been trying to see ourselves in the account.

Two weeks ago we discussed how our sin, both past and present, act as a betrayal to Christ. Judas betrayed Christ. Ultimately our sin stands against His mission. And we talked about how …even though He knew that… He still died for us. Paul wrote of how God proved His love for us sending us His son.

Last week we talked about how sin separates us from our Creator, and we thought about how Jesus, because of our sin…He had no sin of His own, Jesus was (because of our sin) experiencing that full separation that results because of sin. We read of how He was sorrowful unto the point of death (His words). Others left Him…God allowed Him to become sin for for us. And He did that for us.

So far I think we have a pretty good friend in Jesus - Amen!?

We have to confront, willingly, our own sin…our own part in this narrative, in this storyline. And we need to always remember our way back…repentance. Calling out our own sin when God points it out to us…when we become aware of it…and also live in an attitude of gratefulness that our sin has been paid for …taken on…by one who took away the result of sin. “For the wages of sin is death.” Now for sure, physical death is here. We see that as something in all of our lives.

However, and this is the really good part, our spiritual/eternal life, because of Jesus, our spiritual life will be with our God - our Creator…forever. Jesus was betrayed by us but loved us anyways. Jesus was forsaken or abandoned for us but ultimately He took on our sin even though He never did himself.

This week: Accused for Us. Jesus, willingly put Himself in the spotlight to show who He was and He took the accusation for our sin.

We have two accounts to look at today…and they tie in together. Today is what we would commonly call Palm Sunday - The day when Jesus would enter Jerusalem for the Passover Celebration and Feast. Something He had done for many a time himself…probably with His family and friends.

This year would be very different though.

This year He will enter Jerusalem, not as a just a fellow Israelite, but He will enter as their King.

In Matthew 21 we see Jesus coming from Bethany, where we were a couple of weeks ago during a dinner…when Mary poured out oil on Jesus. Jesus sends two disciples on ahead to look for a donkey…a foal. And as He approached the city, the city that had been Home for God’s spirit and His people for many years, people are now lining the road and cutting branches off of nearby trees to lay on the ground as Jesus, riding on a donkey, rode over them.

Very much like we watch Hollywood royalty walk on the red carpet.

Crowds before Him. Crowds following Him. Crying out Hosanna to the Son of David.

Matthew 21:9–10 CSB

9 Then the crowds who went ahead of him and those who followed shouted: Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven! 10 When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in an uproar, saying, “Who is this?”

Put yourselves in the shoes of a common Israelite living in Jerusalem.

Canton - Hall of Fame City - Football

Jerusalem - City built by David - God’s People - People saying this guy (Jesus) is the Son of David. This is a HUGE deal. This is BIG. And because it’s Passover, there are probably thousands and thousands more people here than normal. Jerusalem is busting at the seams because of all of the people. This account though, because of what is now being claimed by Jesus, is unlike anything that has ever happened…and many see the ties to the Old Testament and they’re connecting dots in their minds and hearts. This is big. Weeks ago Lazarus was raised from the dead…and there were many witnesses....that was just two miles outside of the city wall. Now this man who did that and more is here, claiming to be a “king.”

The Pharisees move quickly…commanding Him to keep the crowds quiet…and Jesus says, “If they stop praising , even the rocks (nature itself) will begin to praise.”

You see what’s happening…the course of history is at a point of change. This is what all of creation has been waiting for. Justice.

Now, we know some of the events between the entry into Jerusalem and the cross. Let’s fast forward to see look at what Jesus was accused of.

After being arrested (after His betrayal), Jesus is taken before Caiaphas, the High Priest. There is an illegal trial with the Sanhedrin (the Israelite rulers of the day)…they were looking for testimony they could use to kill Jesus (this is all recorded for us by Matthew in the 27th chapter of His account). There are witnesses who say things against each other … so nothing comes of that. So then a couple of false witnesses (meaning drummed up witnesses with a false story line - probably paid off) come in and say something mostly truthful but in the wrong context…Jesus is accused of blasphemy (claiming to be God and speaking against God) even though He’s God (Immanuel) Himself. The quickly find Him guilty and worthy of death. They beat Him, spit on Him and make fun of Him. They are holding up their standing in society, their standing in Jewish law, their standing as leaders of the faith. Caiaphas wants what he wants…and he defensively accuses Jesus of wrongdoing. Putting Jesus down so he (Caiaphas and the rest of the Sanhedrin could be lifted up).

Defensive to the truth.

Then at daybreak they tie Him up and lead Him to Pilate, the governor of the region. Pilate asks Him a simple question which ties to the first part of our storyline today (Palm Sunday).

Matthew 27:11–13 CSB

11 Now Jesus stood before the governor. “Are you the king of the Jews?” the governor asked him. Jesus answered, “You say so.” 12 While he was being accused by the chief priests and elders, he didn’t answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Don’t you hear how much they are testifying against you?”

He asks about this kingship, because this is what He is being accused of. There can be no king but Caesar under Roman rule. However, here stands Jesus accused of something true…but Pilate misses it.

A man entered an old general store in a little town and took note of the sign on the door that said, “Beware of God.” The stranger slowly walked through the aisles looking for what he needed and then at the back counter he saw the owner…and in front of the counter an old hound dog laying on the floor fast asleep. He asked, “Why the sign on the door? There’s no way this is an defensive guard dog.” “Oh the sign,” said the owner. “I had to put that up because people kept tripping over him.”

Winston Churchill once said that people sometimes trip over the truth…pick themselves up…and keep walking as if nothing ever happened.

The truth of all of history, all of creation is standing in front of Pilate…and he misses it.

There’s a riot forming over what is going on. Pilate, even though His wife has talked to Him about dreams she is having about this whole scenario being played out…dismisses her…dismisses His own gut-feelings about this whole thing (he believes Jesus to be innocent of all of this)…wondering why Jesus has said nothing to his questioning…He ends up being more worried about the rioting and unrest in the region (which was His job) that he misses the truth standing right before him.

You might say Pilate was distracted by the many things going on around him. Trying to keep the peace…and in the midst of that…wondering about the absence of Peace he was personally experiencing.

Distracted in front of Truth.

Pilate at one point, tries to use a custom that has been in place for the Passover, releasing a Jewish prisoner during the Passover Celebration. He asks the people do you want Jesus released or Barabbas? Barabbas was a known killer. They cry for Barabbas to be freed…and for Jesus to be crucified.

Matthew 27:21–23 CSB

21 The governor asked them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” “Barabbas!” they answered. 22 Pilate asked them, “What should I do then with Jesus, who is called Christ?” They all answered, “Crucify him!” 23 Then he said, “Why? What has he done wrong?” But they kept shouting all the more, “Crucify him!”

Barabbas - A Sinner Spared

It’s interesting that right here…we have the crowds accusing Jesus of something worthy of death (blasphemy) - untrue. And Barabbas …he was accused and convicted of leading a rebellion against the Roman authorities, of murder, and of robbery. He was sentenced to death - very true but being spared.

One commentator I read this past week said that Jesus had lowered in His poll numbers and Barabbas had raised in His. Jesus came as a King bringing peace…Barabbas was all about “taking it to the man!” …so to speak. And even so, he was spared. Ironic isn’t it. Many in this crowd were, just days ago, crying out “Hosanna in the Highest!” And now they are saying, “Crucify Him.”

That’s much of Jesus message. It doesn’t make sense to us and our world’s culture. I think this is why the author of Hebrews writes that this world is not our home.

Jesus, replying to Pilate at one point says that His Kingdom is not of just this world.

But here we see this irony. Jesus, accused of unrighteousness…although He was sinless.

The Pharisees…in the presence of their own God…but thinking mostly of their own position in life. Defensive before the truth.

Pilate…distracted by the upended life he was right in the middle of…distracted to the truth standing in front of Him.

And Barabbas…completely sinful…but spared.

Defensive

Distracted

Spared

Its an offer…and its a choice.

Can you see yourself in any of these lives? Living a life being defensive to the sin and evil we know is already part of reality here. Not accepting fully the life Jesus wants to give you…and give me. We do that don’t we? That’s a lot of love on Jesus part. And to be very fair, some of the authors of scripture later write that many of these leaders came to believe in Jesus after His resurrection.

Living distracted…so many things happening around you. So busy that you’re controlled by negative emotion. Or maybe just trying to get by…anxious, fearful, unsure. Emotion here can be anywhere the pendulum swings. Jesus said I came to give you Peace. I took the accusation…so you wouldn’t have to. My peace…I give to you.

Or maybe…you see yourself as a sinner spared. Would you take the punishment for a friend…for something you didn’t do? God to jail for them or worse? We don’t know how Barabbas reacted…there are some traditions that say he watched as Jesus was crucified and later believed and some say that he was soon killed after his release while he tried another rebellion against Rome. Either way though…his choices in life after being offered freedom are not unlike our own.

Jesus, the one who took our accusation, sets us free…if we can accept His grace. The choice is ours.

But wow…what an offer?! Amen!?

Will you…have you…accepted this offer?

John 14:27 CSB

27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.

There is always something going on around us or inside of us that we’re struggling with. The offer still remains the same. Jesus was accused, rightly, of being a king....falsely, of being sinful, so he could offer you a new life. A spared life in Him.

He offers you peace. His peace. Peace between you and God.

I pray that you are thinking about this offer right now. Right where you’re sitting. Maybe you’ve been a bit defensive in life…defensive about how you think life should go…your wants and your needs from your perspective. Maybe you’ve been too busy to notice Jesus trying to reach out to you. Maybe you’ve recognized the offer in front of you…that will spare your life…and you just need to make a decision about it. I’m not sure where you are as reality goes, a decision will be made. Jesus wants you to choose Him over everything else. And I pray that we all would do so.

There will be a time for prayer if you need it. There will be a time for answers or help if you need it. I’ll be up here as well as some others who can pray for you, help you…be good ears for you. I encourage you to not leave today before considering Christ’s offer.

Let’s pray,

Lord we stand before you easily accused and guilty. You stood before the world sinless, but took the accusations for us. Help us to throw all, as Paul writes, to throw everything off of us that easily tangles us up. Help us to consider your offer. Help us to consider it each day we wake up and draw the gift of your breath. You want us to be with you. You died and rose to make that so. Help us to make decisions that will lead us closer to you.