A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. FIRST TRIAL: PILATE
A. PLOT OF JEWS
1. AGREEMENT
Mt 27:1 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death.
2. AIM
Mt 27:2 So they bound Him and led Him away, delivering Him over to Governor Pilate.
B. PUZZLE
1. ACCUSATION
Mt 27:11 Now Jesus stood before the Governor, who questioned Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.”
2. ALLEGATION
Mt 27:12-13 But when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He said nothing. Pilate asked Him, “Don’t You hear how many things they testify against You?”
Also Jn 18:30-31 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered Him over to you.”
Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge Him by your own law.”
The Jews said to him, “It is not legal for us to execute anyone”
Also Lk 23:2 “We found this man deceiving our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to Caesar, and teaching He Himself is Messiah, a king.”
3. ACQUITTAL
Mt 27:14 But He gave him no answer to any charge; the governor was completely amazed.
Also Lk 23:4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find this man ‘Not guilty’.”
II. SECOND TRIAL: HEROD
A. PERCEPTION
1. AGITATION
Lk 23:5 But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee to here.”
Lk 23:6-7 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that He was from Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time.
2. ANTICIPATION
Lk 23:8-9 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about Him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by Him. So he questioned him at some length, but He made no answer.
B. PRIDE
1. ABUSE
Lk 23:10-11a The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing Him. And Herod with his soldiers treated Him with contempt, mocking Him.
2. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Lk 23:11b-12 Then, arraying Him in a royal robe, he returned Him to Pilate. Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day (before this they had been antagonistic toward each other).
Pilate could have just released Jesus at this time, but his life and career were in danger, so . .
III. THIRD TRIAL: PILATE AGAIN
A. POSSIBILITY
1. ASSUAGE
Mt 27:15-17 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to pardon one whom the crowd wanted. And they held then Barabbas, a notorious prisoner. So when they had gathered, Pilate asked, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Messiah?”
Also Jn 18:37a Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?”
Jn 18:37b Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
Jn 18:36 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.”
Joh 18:38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in Him.”
2. AGONY
Mt 27:18-19 (For he knew they had delivered Him out of spite; besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, “Don’t deal with the righteous [man], for I’ve been greatly troubled about Him today in a dream.”)
3. ALTERNATIVE
Mt 27:20-21 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to beg for Barabbas and kill Jesus. The governor repeated, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.”
B. PERPLEXED
1. APPROVAL
Mt 27:22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Messiah?” They all said, “Crucify!”
2. APPREHENSION
Mt 27:23 And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they shouted more, “Crucify!”
Also Lk 23:14-16 “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by Him. I will therefore punish and release him.”
C. PERFORMANCE
1. ABSOLUTION
Mt 27:24 Seeing he was gaining nothing and that a riot was forming, Pilate took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this righteous blood; it is your responsibility.”
2. ADMISSION
Mt 27:25 And all the people answered, “His blood [is] on us and on our children!”
3. AUTHORIZATION
Mt 27:26 Then he released Barabbas and having whipped Jesus, transferred Him to be crucified.
Also John 12:32 “I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself”
Conclusion: Three times Pilate said, “Absolvo! Non fecisse videtur”
Pilate looked past false, accusatory verbiage
Pilate sent Jesus to Herod to avoid condemning Him
Pilate offered to punish Him without execution
Pilate gave the people an easy choice of releasing Jesus, not Barabbas
Pilate sought their pity by parading the beaten, bloody Jesus
But in the end Pilate, like every man, was the one really on trial.
The Jewish leaders condemned themselves
The jeering crowd condemned itself
Herod condemned himself
Pilate condemned himself
And Jesus stands every day in your judgment still. What will YOU do with Jesus, Who is called the Messiah?