The Crowd, Court, And Conviction Series

The Passion – the crowd, court, and conviction

Hope Community Church

February 15, 2004

Matthew 26:47-67

Jesus willingly gave all of his life for you; therefore, you must willingly live all of your life for him.

I. Jesus willingly faced the crowd (vv 47-56)

A. He willingly suffered the betrayal of Judas.

1. Judas sold out for 30 silver pieces.

2. Jesus still called him friend.

B. He willingly surrendered to an angry mob.

1. He could have called 72,000 angels

2. He healed Malchus after his ear was cut off

C. He willingly faced abandonment and isolation.

1. His disciples all ran away.

2. This fulfills scripture (Zech 13:7)

D. Have you ever betrayed or abandoned Jesus?

1. Have you ever gone along with the crowd who denied Jesus?

2. Have you ever failed to stand up for Jesus? Sin of silence?

II. Jesus willingly faced the court (vv 57-64)

A. He willingly accepted an unfair trial

1. It was held at night and during a feast

2. The decision had already been made (Mark 14:1)

B. He willingly endured false testimony.

1. There was no valid evidence.

2. Even the lies didn’t match each other.

3. They twisted his words (note John 2:19 says, “If YOU tear down the temple…”) and the testimony said that Jesus would.

4. He fulfills scripture (Isa 53:7).

C. He willingly confessed his Messiaship.

1. He is called the Son of God.

2. He calls himself the Son of Man

3. He acknowledges that he is both God and man

D. Have you ever failed to testify FOR Jesus?

III. Jesus willingly accepted his conviction (vv 65-67)

A. He willingly suffered disgrace (spitting and taunting).

B. He willingly suffered abuse.

C. He willingly walked to his executioner (Matt 27:1)

1. The Sanhedrin was not allowed to impose the death penalty

2. The Roman authorities often imposed the death penalty.

IV. Jesus willingly gave his life so we could have life abundantly.

A. He gave his life it wasn’t taken.

1. Eph 5:2 …just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God

2. Matt 20:28 (NIV) just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

B. He is the fulfillment of scriptures.

1. Zech 13:7

2. Isa 53:7 (in fact read all of the suffering servant scriptures)

3. Psalm 110:1

4. Danieal 7:13

C. How much of your life are you willing to live for Jesus?

1. Spiritual growth and ministry

a. Colo 1:10 (NIV) And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

b. Prayer, devotion, and Bible study

c. Ministry

2. Personal holiness

a. 1Pet 4:2 (NIV) As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God

b. 1The 4:7 (NIV) For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life

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