Born Again: Behold the Man John 19:1-16 Englewood Baptist Church Sunday morning, March 21, 2010

Transcription

1 Note: This is the sermon manuscript that Ben carried into the pulpit. Feel free to use it in any way to advance the kingdom of God. Born Again: Behold the Man John 19:1-16 Englewood Baptist Church Sunday morning, March 21, 2010 Last week, I began a series of sermons entitled Born Again, and we explored the evening appointment between Jesus and Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a deeply devout man, a religious leader, a teacher of theology and law. He was thought to be knowledgeable in spiritual matters. And yet, when Jesus spoke with him under the cover of darkness, he called Nicodemus out for his astounding ignorance. He says, 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, You must be born again. John 3:17 Nicodemus had never heard such talk. He knew all about religion. He knew all about law. He knew how to stand up in the synagogue and speak lengthy, flowery prayers that impressed his people. He just didn t know how to enter the kingdom of God. And Jesus said, You must be born from above. Today, I want to fast forward to end of the Gospel of John and I want to introduce you to another famous leader who was confused. He was equally ignorant and equally lost. His name was Pontius Pilate. Show images of Pilate. Who was Pontius Pilate? We know much about him. We know that from the moment he met Jesus, he was painted in a political corner. He was a procurator, or governer of Rome and he had the unfortunate fate of serving as the judge over Jesus trial, if you want to call it a trial. We know that Pilate was reluctant to execute Christ. As we will see in a moment, he was looking for a way out of this predicament. As a procurator, his primary purpose was military, to keep the land free of rebellion, uprisings, and insurrection. However, as a representative of the empire, he was also responsible for the collection of imperial taxes and minor judicial affairs. Pilate was no fan of Jerusalem and certainly no friend of the Jews. If he had it his way, he would have found himself in a plush palace in a more distinguished city, but this was the Passover, a festival of deep national and religious significance for the Jews. He was on assignment to stay put in the city, to stay invisible, but to keep order among the peasants who made their pilgrimage this time of year. Pilate was not looking for God. He was certainly not looking for a Jewish King. But the God of heaven and earth had ordered his steps and the people of God had forced his hand on the issue. He had to make a decision about Jesus. Have you made a decision about Jesus? Like the man 1

2 we are about to read of, you must make a decision for Christ, or pay the awful consequences. Spiritual life comes only through the Son of God. There is no other way. Read with me now the story of Pilate who was forced to make a decision concerning this Jesus of Nazareth, as recorded in John 19. Read John 19:1-16. Pontius Pilate was squirming in his seat like a boy at the opera. He wanted nothing to do with this Nazarene they call Jesus. Like so many people in the world, Pilate had his eyes on more important things than Jesus. He was climbing a ladder. He was schmoozing the socially elite. He was searching for shortcuts to higher status and power. Pilate had his eyes fixed on career advancement and he was willing to sacrifice something so small as his integrity if it meant a promotion in the future. And so the Jews have seized Jesus from the Garden of Gethsemane and they have pawned him off on Pilate. They were hoping that he would carry out their dirty work, that he would think nothing of the execution of a peasant Palestinian. So v. 1 says that Pilate had Jesus flogged. Then the soldiers made a carnival king out of him by twisting long thorns together, perhaps as long as 12 inches, and forcing them into his head. They made a plaything of him as they dressed him up with purple garment and wrapped it around his shoulders, a sign of majesty and royalty. And then they took turns punching him in the face and calling out, Hail, king of the Jews. Matthew and Mark tell us that they also gave him a royal scepter, a staff, and they used it to beat him in the head, again and again. Roman soldiery made sport of him like the pagan Philistines before Samson. The book of Judges records that the Philistines seized Samson when he had lost his strength. In cruelty, they gouged out his eyes, they bound him with bronze shackles, and then they brought him before a party of people to entertain, to perform for them. They turned the Lord s anointed servant into a circus act. In the same way, Pilate now brings the Lord s anointed, with a billion times more might than Samson, and he makes a public spectacle of him. V. 4, Pilate re-introduces Jesus to the mob of people. This time hoping that they will be moved to pity and compassion. For surely, this man could pose no threat or danger to the political structure of Rome, or even to the holy huddle called the Sanhedrin. There was no power in this man. He was pathetic and pitiful in his appearance and common sense would call for requital from crucifixion. And v. 5 says this When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, Here is the man! The KJV says, Behold the man. Pilate had no clue that the man he presented to the people was 2 the son of Eve who would crush the head of the Serpent in Genesis the Righteous Branch in Jeremiah the Man of Sorrows predicted by Isaiah. Bread of God in John

3 The author of Life in Acts Image of God according to Corinthians The Head of the Redeemed Church in Ephesians Blessed and only Ruler in 1 Timothy Great High Priest according to Hebrews The Great God and Savior in Titus Lamb without Blemish 1 Peter Beginning and the End in Revelation Pilate had no earthly idea that this was the living, Incarnate Son of God standing before him. And Jesus stood there with shredded skin as the governor presented him saying, Behold the man! Never in all of history has the world seen a man such as this. I want to challenge you this morning to see this man, to behold him. Behold the Man 1. He is an innocent man. Pilate says in v.5, I don t have a clue why he s even here! I find no basis for a charge against him. He wasn t the first man to declare Jesus innocent. It was the verdict of all who had dealings with him in these hours. Judas declared, I have sinned, for I have betrayed innocent blood (Matt. 27:4). Pilate s wife said to him, Don t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him (Matt. 27:19). Herod found Christ blameless, for Pilate reported of Herod s verdict, Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death (Luke 23:15). Even the dying thief spoke out saying, We are punished justly; for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong (Luke 23:41). The Roman centurion in charge of the crucifixion said, Surely this was a righteous man (Luke 23:47). The crowds at the cross, seeing the earthquake and the other supernatural signs accompanying his death, exclaimed, Surely this was the Son of God (Matt. 27:54). Jesus was an innocent man. And herein lies one of the great mysteries of the Gospel. Romans 5 says Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:7-8 3

4 An innocent man died, voluntarily, for a guilty people. And this is why you never see Jesus trying to talk his way out of this trial. Of all things, Jesus was known to have a silver tongue. He could have done it. When he spoke, people listened. He drew them in and he captivated their minds. But when Jesus came out upon that Stone Pavement, he did not defend himself. Like the prophet Isaiah prophesied He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. Isaiah 53:7 Jesus was an innocent man who willingly died for guilty people. Some people today say, Well, what need have I for this Jesus? I m not a criminal. I ve never killed anyone, or stole a person s credit card, or abused a child? I have never cheated on my spouse. I ve paid my taxes. I have served my community. What need have I of this Jesus? And people with this attitude have no idea that they commit the most insidious of sins in the eyes of God. They fall into the snare of self-righteousness. So long as others are more guilty than me, then I will get off scot-free. For these people, salvation is as far off as a ship at sea, for entrance into the kingdom of God requires a recognition of guilt. Jesus was innocent, but freely died for the guilty. Behold the man. 2. He is a brave man. For v. 1 says, he was flogged: Just a simple word to describe a long-drawn-out, torturous process. He was stripped of his clothing, and tied to a post in a way to fully expose his back. Sharp pieces of lead, bone, and rock were fixed to the ends of leather strips, and stripes appeared across his spine with every lashing. Soldiers took turns with the savage beatings because the force required was exhausting and strenuous. They were winded. Pilate didn t want him dead, not because he cared for Christ, but because he was superstitious about shedding the blood of an innocent man. Would this man come back in spirit and haunt him? His wife had already warned him that she had seen this man in a dream. And Jesus answers to Pilate caused him great angst. Jesus spoke differently than all the other jailbirds he had seen. V. 11, Jesus says, You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore, the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin. Now, I want to stop right there and chase a rabbit that is worth chasing. All sin disqualifies us from the kingdom of heaven, whether it s cheating on a pop quiz in chemistry or cheating on our spouse in marriage. All sin separates us from God. James 2:10 says, For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. Once you become a law breaker, you are put outside of the kingdom of God s holiness. However, this does not mean that certain sins aren t greater than others. Jesus said to Pilate, You re guilty, but the one who handed me over to you the calculated, cold, high-handed sinner who set this whole thing in 4

5 motion he has even greater reason to fear the coming judgment. Who Jesus refers to, we do not know. He could be speaking of Judas or of Caiphas. It makes no difference. His point is the same. People who have been exposed to greater amounts of revelation will be held to a higher standard of judgment. Pilate had not been privy to the feeding of the Pilate had not seen the healing of Jairus daughter. Pilate had likely never heard Jesus utter a word before this day. Pilate was guilty, but Judas and others had committed heavier sins. Why does this make any difference to you today? Here s how. There are people all over the world that worship idols and reject Jesus as king. They have committed idolatry and this will be punished by God. However, those of us in this room today should beware of a more serious judgment than even pagan idol worshippers because all of us have beheld Jesus in significant ways. We have received special revelation from God and for this, we are held accountable. Jesus said to Pilate, You re in deep trouble, but others are in even deeper with the Father, for their mistreatment of the Son. And notice, Jesus was not afraid to speak the truth even in the face of his executioner. And when those soldiers picked up the thick sticks with the chain and the bone covered laces, when they scourged him 40 times minus one, never did he cry out for mercy. He took the pain that was rightly intended for liars, cheaters, and fakers like you and me. He was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our sins. And because of his obedience to the Father in heaven, all authority in high and low places was handed to him. He is the King of Kings. 3. He is a King. V. 13, Pilate brings him back before the blood-lust of the people. Here is your king, he says in jest. What he means is, Look at this bruised, bleeding creature! Look at his wretchedness? Can you possibly prescribe any further pain for him? It seems that he speaks sarcastically, but some have speculated more. Perhaps Pilate did not speak in jest, but instead, he spoke in veiled admiration of the man. What fortitude he had shown to receive such pain with dignity, and honor, and strength. Could there be in the governor s voice, perhaps, even a hint of respect for one who has displayed such courage and staying power? Here is your king, he says. Shall I crucify your king? And this king, is the only king in the history of the world that can save his servants from hell And this is what the Bible says. One day, when the world is not looking, when the world is too preoccupied with career advancement and passing pleasures, Jesus Christ will come again as a Warrior King. This time his mouth will not remain silent, but from his mouth will proceed the word of God and he will judge the earth. All people will behold the man. Now, with my time remaining, I want you to turn with me to Matthew 25, because Jesus has told a parable about the coming king and our preparation. 5

6 Read Matthew 25:1-13. In this gripping parable, Jesus teaches us about the power of a minute. Eternal decisions are made in a single moment in time. This parable illustrates the tragedy of a wasted opportunity. There were 10 bridesmaids. All ten women were invited to the wedding feast and week-long festival of celebration. All they had to do was to be ready when the groom showed up to claim his bride. It says that the groom was a long time coming, but just when people thought he would never arrive, he bursts onto the scene to take his bride and to celebrate the marriage supper. And then the doors are shut. 5 of them were in, 5 of them were out. And the main thrust of this passage is so painfully clear: are you ready? Have you been born again? Or, like Pilate, do you have your eyes on more important things than Jesus. The great preacher Charles Spurgeon says this about being born again: A great change has to be wrought in you, far beyond any power of yours to accomplish, ere you can go in with Christ to the marriage. You must, first of all, be renewed in your nature, or you will not be ready. You must be washed from your sins, or you will not be ready. You must be justified in Christ s righteousness, and you must put on his wedding dress, or else you will not be ready. You must be reconciled to God, you must be made like to God, or you will not be ready. Or, to come to the parable of the ten virgins, you must have a lamp, and that lamp must be fed with heavenly oil, and it must continue to burn brightly, or else you will not be ready. No child of darkness can go into that place of light. You must be brought out of nature s darkness into God s marvelous light, or else you will never be ready to go in with Christ to the marriage, and to be forever with him. Charles Spurgeon That great change that Spurgeon speaks of. That s the same change that Jesus spoke to Nicodemus. It happens when you behold the man of Christ, and you receive him as King. You can cling to him, or you can crucify him. But like Pilate learned that day, there is no washing your hands of him. And he says to you: Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. 6