Closing In On The Cross Of Jesus Christ - Part 9: God On Trial Before The Governor Series

Closing in on the Cross of Jesus Christ

Part 9: God on Trial before the Governor

The Gospel of Matthew

Matthew 27:11-26

Sermon by Rick Crandall

(Prepared May 3, 2023)

BACKGROUND:

*Matthew 27:1-2 tells us that "When morning came (the day of the cross), all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death. And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor."

*Last time, in vs. 3-10 we focused mainly on Judas the betrayer. Today in vs. 11-26, we will take a close look at the Lord's trial before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. But before we read the Scripture, let me give you a little background about the charges against our Lord.

*The real charge the Jewish rulers had against Jesus was blasphemy, because He made Himself equal with God. Of course, that's not blasphemy in Jesus' case, because He is and always has been the Son of God. Here in Matthew 27, the charge was claiming to be the King of the Jews. Verse 11 says, "Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, 'Are You the King of the Jews?' So Jesus said to him, 'It is as you say.'''

*Where did the charge of claiming to be King of the Jews come from? William Barclay explained that the Jewish rulers knew the Roman governor would never consider a charge of blasphemy. "He would tell them to go away, and settle their own religious quarrels." That's why the council schemed up three charges to bring Jesus before Pilate. We see these charges in Luke 23:2, where they made these accusations before Pilate: "We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.'' Barclay explained, "They charged Jesus first with being a revolutionary, second with inciting the people not to pay their taxes, and third with claiming to be a king. They fabricated three political charges, because they knew that Pilate would only act on such charges." (1)

*Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, Matthew only listed the last charge. With that background in mind, let's begin by reading Matthew 27:11-18 to discover what the Bible shows us when God went on trial before the Roman governor.

MESSAGE:

1. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTICE IS THE SILENCE OF OUR SAVIOR.

*We can see Jesus' silence in vs. 11-14:

11. Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?'' So Jesus said to him, "It is as you say.''

12. And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.

13. Then Pilate said to Him, "Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?''

14. And He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.

*Pilate was amazed by Christ's silence in the face of His murderous accusers. The Lord did not utter one word of protest, when a word was all it would have taken to end that travesty of a trial.

*In fact, Jesus had already spoken up the night before, but not for Himself. Instead, the Lord spoke up for His followers. It happened in the Garden of Gethsemane when a multitude of soldiers and temple police came out to arrest the Lord.

*John 18:3-6 tells us about it. There God's Word says:

3. Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.

4. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, "Whom are you seeking?''

5. They answered Him, "Jesus of Nazareth.'' Jesus said to them, "I am He.'' And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them.

6. Then when He said to them, "I am He,'' they drew back and fell to the ground.

*With just a word, Jesus miraculously sent them sprawling to the ground. This was a most amazing thing, especially when we understand the large number of men who came out to arrest Jesus that night.

*William Barclay explained: "There is something astonishing about the force that came out to arrest Jesus. John 18:3 tells us that there were soldiers along with officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. The officers were from two branches of the Jewish police force, but "a band of men" or "a detachment of troops" was also there. In the original language that word meant a force of at least 200 men, and usually up to 1,000 soldiers. That's who came to arrest Jesus! And what a testimony of the Lord's power. When the authorities decided to arrest him, they sent an army to do it." (2)