Trials & Crucifixion Series

SERMON OUTLINE:

(1). Jesus & his trials (a quick overview)

(2). Jesus & Joseph of Cyrene (Luke chapter 23 verses 26-32)

(3). Jesus & the Criminals (Luke chapter 23 verses 32-43)

SERMON BODY:

• I remember a saying that I use to use as a teenager, it was.

• "Ask a stupid question and you'll get a stupid answer"

• The phrase is often used when the answer is obvious, but unhelpful,

• Or when the question is clearly impossible to answer.

• Here are some gems, true remarks spoken in a court of law.

• They were taken from the book, "Disorder in the Court."

(1).

• Q: What is your date of birth?

• A: July fifteenth.

• Q: What year?

• A: Every year

(2).

• Q: What gear were you in at moment of the impact?

• A: A Gucci sweater and Reebok trainers.

(3).

• Q: How old is your son, the one living with you?

• A: Thirty-eight or thirty-five, I can't remember which!

• Q: How long has he lived with you?

• A: Forty-five years.

(4).

• Q: All your responses must be oral, OK?

• A: OK.

• Q: What school did you go to?

• A: Oral.

(5). Or these one liners – stupid questions:

• Q: The youngest son, the 20-year old, how old is he?

• Q: Were you present when your picture was taken?

• TRANSITION: From the lawcourts of the UK, to the law courts of Jerusalem,

• From 2020 let’s go back to the year 0.

• From dumb questions and humorous answers,

• To wicked men, with hatred not laughter in their hearts.

• We are looking this morning at the trial & crucifixion of Jesus.

• We noted in our last study,

• That Jesus was arrested about midnight in the Garden of Gethsemane,

• In the next twelve hours he will be tried six times – you heard right – six times,

• Before being found guilty and crucified.

Note:

• This is a long passage that I have been given to speak on,

• There is so much content that I have struggled to know what to emphasise,

• And what to skip over.

• In the end I have decided to spit it into three sections.

• First: Jesus and his trials (a quick overview, no detail).

• Second: Jesus and Simon of Cyrene.

• Third: Jesus and the two criminals.

(1). Jesus and his trials (a quick overview).

• It’s worth noting that,

• None of the four gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John),

• Give to us all six trials of Jesus.

• You will need to do a bit of detective work to get this information.

Jesus would have six trials:

• Three religious (Jewish), and three civil (Roman).

• All these six trials were carried out on Good Friday,

• These would take place from 2AM to 10AM,

• Eight intense, tiring and emotionally draining hours.

(A). At the three Jewish religious trials – Jesus was condemned as a sinner:

• The question that they should have been asking at these three religious’ trials,

• Was, ‘Who is Jesus?’

• That question was and still is today so important,

• The answer will not only affect this life, but it will affect the whole of eternity!

Ill:

• I came across this monologue, entitled, ‘Who is Jesus?’

• In chemistry, he turned water to wine.

• In biology, he was born without the normal conception.

• In physics, he disproved the law of gravity when he ascended into heaven.

• In economics, he disproved the law of diminishing return,

• by feeding 5000 men with two fish & five loaves of bread.

• In medicine, he cured the sick and blind without administering a single dose of drugs.

• In history, he is the Beginning and the End.

• In government, he said that he shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Prince of Peace.

• In religion, he said no one comes to the Father except through him.

• Jesus had no servants, yet they called him Master.

• Had no degree, yet they called him Teacher.

• Had no medicines, yet they called him Healer.

• He had no army, yet kings feared him.

• He won no military battles, yet he conquered the world.

• He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.

• As we will soon see in our studies,

• He was buried in a tomb, yet Christians believe he lives today!

• So, the question we all must ask is, ‘Who is Jesus?’

• These religious leaders were not interested in the truth,

• They had already decided Jesus was guilty because he did not play by their rules.

The three Jewish religious trials