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We’ve looked at this section as Jesus Prepares for Our Redemption for several reasons.
First, it’s amazing how Jesus seems to be the victim amid all that’s going on.
But we’re told and observe in many places how all that takes place is in fulfillment of God’s prophetic plan.
Second, we see in these chapters how what appear to be utter disasters are working for the good.
Judas’ betrayal, Jesus’ arrest, Peter’s denial, the Jewish Leader’s sham trial.
These all are being used for God’s redemptive purposes.
The Last thing I want to point out from this section is how Matthew sets up contrasts.
The show of force from the temple guard is contrasted with meek Jesus who could call down 12 legions of angels if He chose.
The conniving, kangaroo court of the religious leaders is contrasted with Jesus who readily admits that He’s the Son of God.
Peter’s sin in denying His Lord and being restored is contrasted with Judas’ unrepentant betrayal which led to his destruction.
This morning, we get to see the contrast between the Roman ruler of Palestine in all his local power.
Pontius Pilate, known for his active role in Jesus' crucifixion, contrasts with Jesus who remained silent.
But, even as He kept quiet, Jesus was still preparing for our redemption.
I hope that the message convinces you this morning to - Trust the King
We don’t hear much from Jesus in our passage this morning.
But His silence speaks volumes.
His silence speaks of the fact that he had no need to defend Himself.
His Father, the ultimate judge, never distrusted or doubted Him.
His silence speaks to the fact that He doesn’t need to manipulate the situation.
All other power brokers were trying to maneuver but were playing right into God’s redemption plan.
Jesus’ silence speaks of His quiet resolve to finish the work of redemption that He set out to accomplish.
He would pay the penalty for our sins - dying the death that we deserve.
So, we turn to Matthew’s description of Jesus’ Roman trial in 27:11-26.
11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer.
13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”
18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.”
20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.”
22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.”
25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.
At this point in Jesus’ progress toward the cross, He’s not looking like a King.
But He’s actually the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
And He can be trusted as we stand in faith, knowing that Jesus is King even when it seems like others are in charge.
So, from our verses, Let’s first be encouraged to -
1. TRUST THE KING WHO DIDN’T NEED TO DEFEND HIMSELF.
11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.”
The land of Israel was under the rule of the Roman government.
The religious leaders of the Jews were restricted by Rome to the point where they could not convict someone and sentence them to death.
These situations had to be brought to the Roman governor, named Pontius Pilate.
The other gospels give far more details of Pilate’s questioning of Jesus as well as Jesus being sent to the Jewish King Herod.
They also list off many other charges that the Jewish leaders bring against Jesus.
But this accusation assumes that He’s basically planning a coupe against the Roman government.
Matthew’s theme comes forward while the author zeros in on one of Pilate’s questions -
“Are you the KING of the Jews?”
Matthew focuses on this question singularly because Matthew’s theme is the Kingship of Christ.
With Pilate being the man that has political authority over the Jews, we can assume that there’s some contempt in his voice.
We can assume that the question is asked as if he’s saying,
“So, YOU - the one who’s under my control and surrounded by my Roman guards.
Are you the king of the Jews?
We’re told the straight skinny - Jesus is asked if He’s the King of the Jews and answers - You said it.
Now John expresses more of their conversation as Jesus explains that His kingship is different from what Pilate expected.
* John 18:36 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
Matthew, as I’ve said, chooses to focus on Jesus refusing to defend himself against the charges.
12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
Jesus is taking a totally different approach than Pilate expected.
Pilate is a man who, even with all his power, had to maneuver and calculate his responses in order to maintain his position of power.
We know from other gospel accounts that he’s watching the danger build for Jesus.
He sees the crowd being won over to the idea of Jesus being crucified.
Jesus’ silence here is another fulfillment of the scriptures as we’re told in Isaiah -
* Isaiah 53:7 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.
I’m kind of fascinated by old marine compasses
They’re designed so that no matter how the boat pitches or rolls, the compass stays level.
And of course it always points north.
We see Jesus during this trial standing like that compass.
Everything is rocking around Him.
But He stands level in His determination to attest to the truth of who He is.
And of course, He points to one fact like True North - He is the Savior King.
We can trust and remember that Jesus is King over every moment we live in.
Another encouragement we can find in the contrast of Pilate with Christ is to -
2. TRUST THE KING WHO DIDN’T TRY TO MANIPULATE THE SITUATION.
15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.
Pilate was on politically shaky ground with Rome.
And a riot in Jerusalem would probably mean the end of his political career.
The worst time for there to be unrest in Jerusalem would’ve been during Passover when the city swells to many times it’s normal population.
We’re informed that Pilate knows Jesus isn’t guilty of anything - certainly not anything worthy of death.
Pilate had a practice of appeasing the rabble rousers among the Jews.
His practice was to release a prisoner who was awaiting trial
He chooses a dirty scoundrel, who (According to Mark) was accused of murder and encouraging revolt
Warren Wiersbe reasons “Pilate had one more scheme: He would follow the tradition of releasing a prisoner. Instead of selecting some unknown prisoner, Pilate deliberately chose the most notorious prisoner he had, Barabbas. This man was a robber and a murderer. Pilate reasoned that the crowd would reject Barabbas and ask for Jesus to be released, for who wants a convicted murderer and robber turned loose into society?”
to add to Pilate’s being convinced of Jesus’ innocence the tension of the moment, Matthew adds the message from Pilate’s wife.
19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.”
Matthew is the only one that mentions the dream of Pilate’s wife.
We don’t know anything else about her from history.
We do know that the Jewish readers would’ve been surprised she advocated for Jesus.
Not only would it be unusual for her to care about the goings on, the fact that she was informed through a dream would make God’s involvement seem unmistakable.
All of this would add to the reader’s sense that Pilate was fully aware of Jesus’ innocence.
In v. 20-21, the tug of war continues.
20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.”
The Religious Leaders are so close to destroying their arch nemesis, Jesus.
They cast aside any integrity, encouraging a murderer back into their midst to ensure Jesus won’t be released.
Pilate is disappointed that his strategy hasn’t worked, as he does what he can to pass the buck.
22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
Quote - BEC - “Every decision Pilate made forced him to make another decision, until he was the prisoner of his own evasions.”
Prior to these verses, Pilate was amazed by Jesus’ refusal to defend Himself.
Here he must be astounded by the determination of the religious leaders to see Jesus executed.
But by this time, we see that it’s not just the chief priests and the elders.
We read in v. 22, They ALL said, “Let him be crucified!”
Pilate’s attempts at manipulating the situation didn’t accomplish anything.
Thankfully, Our Savior doesn’t’ rely on manipulation
Illus - [Joke about Manipulation]
Manipulation can take many forms -
One woman told her friend, “I have the best meatloaf recipe. All I have to do is tell my husband we’re having meatloaf, and he says, ‘Let’s eat out!’”
Jesus’ calm, straight forward dealing with Pilate and the religious leaders flowed from His life-mission.
He was calm and convinced about what He was here to do.
We can also endure difficulties and glorify Christ through tough seasons by keeping our eyes on Christ.
Jesus was surrounded by manipulating chaos but kept focused on His mission.
We can deal with the chaos around us and the chaos within us by keeping our eyes on Jesus.
As we’re told in -
* Hebrews 12:1–2 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
You could argue, "JD, Jesus stayed calm because His crucifixion was part of the plan."
My response would be this.
We’re promised that everything the child of God goes through is a part of God’s plan for our good growth.
So, we too can joyfully trust God as Christ did because is plan is always at work.
Because Jesus carried through with His mission we can -
3. TRUST THE KING WHO DEALT WITH THE PENALTY OF OUR SINS.
24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.”
Pilate wasn’t getting anywhere with his attempts to protect Jesus by manipulating the crowds.
The very thing that Pilate feared and tried to avoid - a riot - was starting to develope.
He didn’t do the right thing and use his authority, refusing to put an innocent man to death.
Instead, he punted.
His action was a symbol that he considered himself absolved of guilt for an unjust killing.
He was literally “washing his hands of the matter.”
Pilate was a terrible leader when he could’ve been a hero.
He surrendered his leadership to the people and thought that he was absolved of his responsibility.
25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”
Incredibly, the people respond that they will gladly take the responsibility for the verdict of guilty.
They’re that convinced that Jesus is worthy of it.
And Matthew’s use of the term the people makes the point that the nation of Israel carries the consequence of having rejected their Messiah.
Sadly, they would experience unthinkable judgment when their city and temple are destroyed.
And this is thought to be in punishment for their unthinkable rejection.
26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.
Verse 26 describes what takes place when the die is cast, leaving out a lot of details of the other gospel.
The murderer, Barabbas, is released.
Jesus is scourged and delivered to the executioner.
The scourging was a cruel punishment and was often enough to cause death itself from blood loss or shock.
Jesus would’ve been tied to a post with his back and legs exposed.
He was whipped with leather straps that had bone and metal woven into it, latching like fishhooks where they hit.
Imagine the whip being yanked from the person’s body intentionally pulling chunks of flesh with it.
Jesus’ scourging would’ve continued until some of his bones, muscle, and organs were exposed.
In a twisted sense, the scourging was thought to be a mercy because it would shorten the person’s agony on the cross.
How unimaginable it is to think that Jesus’ scourging would be better than hanging longer on His cross.
The cross was just that much worse.
Let’s think about what’s going on here.
Pilate sees the injustice of the moment and decided he was absolved of guilt.
The crowd doesn’t see anything wrong with the situation and decides they can take responsibility for it.
Pilate doesn’t deal with the sinfulness of the situation as it needs to be dealt with.
Instead, he thinks he can absolve himself from responsibility.
The crowd also doesn’t deal with the sinfulness of the situation as it needs to be dealt with.
Instead, they try to assume responsibility for it themselves.
The only way the sinfulness of any situation can be dealt with as needed is for it to be covered with the sacrifice of Christ and forgiven.
Ironically, Jesus, whom Pilate neglects and the crowd rejects, is needed to atone for their sins.
We’ve all seen TV shows or movies with a hero and his sidekick.
He’s the one always getting himself caught by the evil mastermind and has to be saved by the hero.
The sidekick usually ends up chained up until the hero takes care of a hundred guards with silent stealth.
After freeing the goofball friend, the hero is asked, “How are we gonna get out of here?”
What he means is “How’re YOU gonna get ME outta here?”
Much of American Christianity tries to make people feel better by telling them that they’re actually the hero of their story.
Nope. Sorry. We’re the sidekick who’s always making a problem the hero needs to fix.
We shouldn’t intentionally get ourselves in trouble with sin.
But the fact is that Jesus is in the business of getting us out of the problems our sin creates.
So, the first way we Trust the King who Dealt with the Penalty of our Sins is by trusting Him for salvation.
As followers of Christ, with the Holy Spirit indwelling us, He convicts us when we get caught in sin.
When we sin, 1 John 1:8-9 explains how we Trust the King who Dealt with the Penalty of our Sins.
* 1 John 1:8–9 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
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