Binding the Hands of Jesus
BINDING THE HANDS OF JESUS
TEXT: Mark 15:1
INTRODUCTION: In Mark 15:1, we read of how the enemies of Jesus bound Him in preparation for sending Him to Pilate: "Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate." As we read this, it is easy for our hearts to be filled with sadness, and even with a touch of "righteous indignation" for that crowd that bound Jesus in such a way And yet, there are few today who are not guilty of binding the hands of Jesus in a "figurative" way! To see what I mean, consider some of the various ways we can be guilty today of "Binding The Hands of Jesus"...
I. BY REFUSING TO OBEY THE GOSPEL
A. IN HIS GREAT LOVE FOR US, JESUS STRETCHED OUT HIS HANDS AND DIED FOR OUR SINS...
1. Even today, through His gospel, He pleads with all to take advantage of His vicarious suffering
2. He does not want us to suffer for the guilt of our own sins
3. In truth, then, His "tender invitation" is still being offered today
Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
B. BUT WHEN ONE REFUSES TO OBEY THE GOSPEL...
1. The hands of Jesus are bound!
2. There is no way such a person can then receive the benefits of Jesus death!
3. For him or her, the death of Jesus was in vain!
C. IS THIS TRUE OF YOU?
1. It is...if you have not yet accepted the gospel by obeying the commands of Jesus –
2. And if it is, then you will one day have to face the righteous indignation of Jesus Himself!
2 Thessolonians 1:7-9 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
II. BY REFUSING TO BE TRANSFORMED
A. CHRIST'S WILL IS THAT WE BE TRANSFORMED...
1. This transformation involves a renewal of the mind
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
2. This renewal occurs as we read, study, and meditate upon the
B. BUT MANY CHRISTIANS NEGLECT THE INSTRUMENT BY WHICH WE CAN BE RENEWED!
1. We do not "receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls" – James 1:21b
2. Allowing other things to take precedence in our lives, we so "bind the hands of Jesus" that we do not change!
C. ARE WE GUILTY OF THIS?
1. We are, if we neglect to study the Bible on our own!
2. We are, if we fail to take advantage of opportunities to study with others!
3. Neglect the transforming power of the Word of God, and we are just as guilty of "binding the hands of Jesus" as were those who delivered Him to Pilate!
III. BY REFUSING TO PRAY
A. JESUS HAS BECOME OUR "HIGH PRIEST"...
1. He became man for this very purpose
Hebrews 2:17-18 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
2. He has made it possible for us to boldly approach God's throne of grace in prayer
Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
3. As our high priest...
a) He is able to save those who come to God through Him
Hebrews 7:25a Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them
b) He "ever lives" to make intercession for us
Hebrews 7:25b seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them
B. WHEN WE DON'T PRAY AS WE SHOULD...
1. Jesus cannot be our high priest, our intercessor!
2. Figuratively speaking, we have taken the "praying hands" of Jesus and "bound" them behind His back!
C. ARE WE DOING THIS?
1. If so, what a travesty this is!
2. For here is Jesus...
a) Who "lives" to intercede for us
b) But Who can't, because we prevent Him from doing so by our failure to pray!
IV. BY REFUSING TO DO OUR PART IN THE CHURCH
A. THE CHURCH IS DESCRIBED AS THE "BODY OF CHRIST"
Ephesians 1:22-23 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
1. As His body, we are individually members of one another
1 Corinthians 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
2. As members of one another, we are to care for one another
Ephesians 4:15-16 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
3. It is through such "mutual edification", that Christ provides much of His help for the members of His body!
B. BUT WHEN WE FAIL TO DO OUR SHARE, AGAIN JESUS IS "BOUND"!
1. Just as our physical head can do little if our bodily members fail to follow its leading, so it is with Jesus and His church!
2. Jesus could do so much more for His members, if only more of the members did THEIR part!
C. HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED IT THIS WAY?
1. That by failing to do our part, we "handicap" the body of Christ?
2. That because of our neglect, or apathy, or lukewarmness...
a) Either the whole body of Christ suffers...Or others are forced to do "double duty" in order to make up the difference?
V. BY REFUSING TO SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH THE LOST
A. JESUS HAS MADE HIS DISCIPLES TO BE HIS "HANDS" IN TAKING THE GOSPEL TO THE LOST...
1. Consider
Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Mark 16:15-16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
2. In every case of conversion recorded in Acts, Jesus used a disciple to tell the good news
3. Jesus works the same way today!
B. BUT TO THE DEGREE THAT WE KEEP THE "GOOD NEWS" TO OURSELVES...
1. We have "bound the hands" of Jesus once again!
2. We hinder Jesus from telling others of His wonderful grace!
C. ARE WE "BINDING THE HANDS OF JESUS" IN THIS WAY?
1. Every day, countless souls die with no hope of eternal life
2. This need not be, if more would make the sharing of the gospel the primary concern in their lives!
3. Sadly, in too many cases the primary concern of Christians is the pursuit of pleasure and acquisition of worldly treasures!
CONCLUSION: Yes, one does not have to literally "bind the hands of Jesus" to be guilty of the Same sort of offense that we read about in Mk 15:1; as we have seen, there are many other ways as well! Why not today, resolve to "loose the hands of Jesus" so that IN us and THROUGH us He may accomplish His full desire? Which is...
a. To SAVE us!
b. To TRANSFORM us!
c. To USE us!