“Binding the Hands of Jesus”
Text: Mark 15:1 (KJV) 1And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, bound Jesus, carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.
Mark 15:1 (AMP) 1AND IMMEDIATELY when it was morning, the chief priests, with the elders and scribes and the whole council, held a consultation; and when they had bound Jesus, they took Him away [violently] and handed Him over to Pilate.
Mark 15:1 (NLT) 1Very early in the morning the leading priests, other leaders, and teachers of religious law--the entire high council--met to discuss their next step. They bound Jesus and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.
Introduction: In Mark 15:1, we read of how the enemies of Jesus bound Him in preparation for the sending of Him to Pilate, When you read those words it is easy for your heart to be filled with sadness, and even with a touch of “righteous indignation” for that crowd that bound Jesus in such a way. Jesus was bound as a common criminal. Jesus was bound and unable to move His hands. It was a tragedy how this innocent man was treated. It was a travesty of Justice. Yet, nonetheless, it was necessary to procure the redemption of our souls. Isaiah 53:5-7 reads, (KJV) “5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.”
Yet, there are very few people today who are not guilty of binding the hands of Jesus in a figurative way. Because of sin and self, God’s power, presence, and purposes are limited in our lives. In essence, when we do this we are “Binding the Hands of Jesus.” To see what I mean, let us today consider five ways we can be guilty of “Binding the Hands of Jesus”…
I. BY REFUSING TO OBEY THE GOSPEL
Hebrews 10:29 reads, (KJV) “29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” (AMP) “29How much worse (sterner and heavier) punishment do you suppose he will be judged to deserve who has spurned and [thus] trampled underfoot the Son of God, and who has considered the covenant blood by which he was consecrated common and unhallowed, thus profaning it and insulting and outraging the [Holy] Spirit [Who imparts] grace (the unmerited favor and blessing of God)?” (NLT) “29Think how much more terrible the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God and have treated the blood of the covenant as if it were common and unholy. Such people have insulted and enraged the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to his people.”
When people deliberately reject Christ’s offer of Salvation, they reject God’s most precious gift. They push away the work of the Holy Spirit; the one who communicates to us God’s saving love. There is no other acceptable sacrifice for sin than the death of Christ on the Cross.
A. In His Great love for us, Jesus stretched out His hands and died for our sins…
Illustration: As a jewel’s brilliance is displayed on a black cloth, Jesus’ love is displayed against the blackness of sin, and the filth of the flesh.
1. Today, through His Gospel, He pleads with all of us to take advantage of His vicarious suffering.
2. He does not want us to suffer for the guilt of our own sins. That is why He willing took our place.
a. Hebrews 2:9, 10 declares, (KJV) “9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 10For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” (AMP) “9But we are able to see Jesus, Who was ranked lower than the angels for a little while, crowned with glory and honor because of His having suffered death, in order that by the grace (unmerited favor) of God [to us sinners] He might experience death for every individual person.10For it was an act worthy [of God] and fitting [to the divine nature] that He, for Whose sake and by Whom all things have their existence, in bringing many sons into glory, should make the Pioneer of their salvation perfect [should bring to maturity the human experience necessary to be perfectly equipped for His office as High Priest] through suffering. (NLT) “9What we do see is Jesus, who "for a little while was made lower than the angels" and now is "crowned with glory and honor" because he suffered death for us. Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone in all the world. 10And it was only right that God--who made everything and for whom everything was made--should bring his many children into glory. Through the suffering of Jesus, God made him a perfect leader, one fit to bring them into their salvation.”
Illustration: In Ireland, a busload of miners were on their way home from the mines. It was a particularly cold day, windy, with just enough icy rain to make the road down the mountain especially dangerous. The miners were all ready for warm soup. The bus driver, however, was understandably nervous about the weather and the conditions under which he had to navigate the unwieldy bus on the ice in the wind. They were driving down a narrow road, which wound around the hill, so that on one side was the sheer mountain face, on the other a drop into the valley. As the driver came around a curve, some distance ahead of him, sitting in the middle of the road was a young boy, playing in the snow, his back to the bus. The bus driver had only a few seconds in which to make a decision what he must do. If he hit the breaks hard enough to avoid the child, he would send the bus into a skid on the ice, which would land it either over the cliff edge or into the rock wall, surely killing some if not all of the miners in his care. If he used the breaks only enough to slow and not skid, he would not be able to break in time to avoid hitting, and surely killing, the little boy. The bus driver had to decide. As the bus came to a slow grinding halt, the bus driver leapt from the seat and went barreling out the doors. Some of the miners followed after him. Several yards behind, in the snow, lay the body of the child. Dead. The bus driver had bent over the little limp form and turned it up, cradling it in his arms. The miners gathered round and removed their hats, speechless. The little boy was the bus driver’s son. God saw the wickedness of Man. He willingly chose to send His Son Jesus to die for the sins of all mankind! The wages of sin is death and Christ’s death on the Cross fully met the demands of Almighty God!
3. Jesus’ tender invitation of Matthew 11:28-30, which reads, (KJV) “28Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” is still being offered today. Come whoever you are. Come however you. Come and find rest, find peace in Christ Jesus! Jesus’ invitation is to all and for all!
B. But, when one refuses to obey the Gospel…
1. The hands of Jesus are bound. He can do no more. He has done all He could do. He gave His life. He shed His blood for YOU! He gave you His Word and the Holy Spirit. But if you refuse to obey the Gospel…you bind His hands.
a. Isaiah 59:1-3 says, (KJV) “1Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. 3For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.” (AMP) “1BEHOLD, THE Lord’s hand is not shortened at all, that it cannot save, nor His ear dull with deafness, that it cannot hear. 2But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. 3For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue mutters wickedness.” (NLT) “1Listen! The LORD is not too weak to save you, and he is not becoming deaf. He can hear you when you call. 2But there is a problem--your sins have cut you off from God. Because of your sin, he has turned away and will not listen anymore. 3Your hands are the hands of murderers, and your fingers are filthy with sin. Your mouth is full of lies, and your lips are tainted with corruption.”
2. There is no way such a person can receive the benefits of Jesus death!
3. For that person, the death of Jesus was in vain!
C. Is this true of you?
1. It is, If you have not accepted the gospel by obeying the commands of Jesus.
2. And if it is, then you will one day have to face the righteous indignation of Jesus Himself.
a. 2nd Thessalonians 1:7-10 reads, (KJV) “7And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” (AMP) “7And to [recompense] you who are so distressed and afflicted [by granting you] relief and rest along with us [your fellow sufferers] when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in a flame of fire, 8To deal out retribution (chastisement and vengeance) upon those who do not know or perceive or become acquainted with God, and [upon those] who ignore and refuse to obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9Such people will pay the penalty and suffer the punishment of everlasting ruin (destruction and perdition) and eternal exclusion and banishment from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10When He comes to be glorified in His saints [on that day He will be made more glorious in His consecrated people], and [He will] be marveled at and admired [in His glory reflected] in all who have believed [who have adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Him], because our witnessing among you was confidently accepted and believed [and confirmed in your lives].”
Illustration: When the Lord Jesus comes in the clouds “in flaming fire,” He will punish those who have sinned with no knowledge of Christ; but with more intense wrath he will punish those who have sinned against the light and knowledge that God has given them concerning His beloved Son. The latter, we read, “shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (2nd Thessalonians 1:9). What solemn words! What terrible warnings God has given men in order that they might face the question of their guilt and turn to Him in repentance! Like the danger signals at railroad crossings, He is saying, “Stop! Look! Listen!”
3. God commands sinners to repent (Acts 17:30); rejecting Christ is disobedience. When the lost stand before the Righteous Judge, they will suffer eternal hell for two reasons:
a. They would not come to know God (willful ignorance), and
b.They would not obey God (willful disobedience).
4. What a great separation there will be “in that day.” Gathered about Christ will be those who believed the message, trusted Him as Savior, and maintained a testimony for Him on earth, but were misunderstood and persecuted for His name’s sake; these will rejoice with Him in the day of His power. On the other hand, those who spurned His loving-kindness will experience the awfulness of divine retribution.
*But even those who obey the gospel can be guilty of “Binding the hands of Jesus”.
HOW? One way is……..
II. BY REFUSING TO BE TRANSFORMED
Romans 12:1-2 reads, (AMP) “1I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].”
A. Christ’s Will is that we be Transformed….
1. The word transformed means “to change, transfigure, and transform. ”The Greek word is Metamorphoo from which we get our English word metamorphosis. This change begins the moment we receive Christ as LORD and Savior. However, it is progressive only as we yield ourselves to HIM-His will and Word!
2. This transformation involves a renewal of the mind as Romans 12:2 tells us.
3. 2nd Corinthians 3:18 tells us, (AMP) “18And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.”
4. Thus we are renewed in mind as we read, study, and meditate upon the Word of God,
a. 1st Peter 1:23-2:2 reads, (AMP) “23You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal origin (seed), but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God. 24For all flesh (mankind) is like grass, and all its glory (honor) like [the] flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower drops off, 25But the Word of the Lord (divine instruction, the Gospel) endures forever. And this Word is the good news which was preached to you. 1SO BE done with every trace of wickedness (depravity, malignity) and all deceit and insincerity (pretense, hypocrisy) and grudges (envy, jealousy) and slander and evil speaking of every kind. 2Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation.”
B. But many Christians neglect the instrument by which we can be renewed!
1. We do not “receive with meekness the engrafted word…” (James 1:21b).
2. We allow other things to take precedence in our lives, Thus we so do “bind the hands of Jesus” that we do not change!
C. Are we guilty of this?
1. We are, if we neglect to study the Bible on our own.
Illustration: The majority of all born-again Christians read the Bible once or twice a week, or not at all. The survey found that only 18% of all Christians said they read the Word every day, while another 18% read the Bible between three and six days a week, 37% read it once or twice a week, and 23% said they do not read the Bible at all. Among non- Christians, 70% do not read the Bible. Is this because many people do not own a Bible? No. Our research has shown that 93% of all Americans own at least one Bible, and most own more than one.
2. We are, if we fail to take advantage of opportunities to study with others!
3. When we neglect the transforming power of the Word of God, we are just guilty of “binding the hands of Jesus” as were those who delivered Him to Pilate.
III. BY REFUSING TO PRAY
Philippians 4:6 reads, (AMP) “6Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.”
Illustration: Some years ago a young man approached the foreman of a logging crew and asked for a job. "That depends," replied the foreman. "Let’s see you fell this tree." The young man stepped forward and skillfully felled a great tree. Impressed, the foreman exclaimed, "Start Monday!" Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday rolled by, and Thursday afternoon the foreman approached the young man and said, "You can pick up your paycheck on the way out today." Startled, he replied, "I thought you paid on Friday." "Normally we do," answered the foreman, "but we’re letting you go today because you’ve fallen behind. Our daily felling charts show that you’ve dropped from first place on Monday to last on Wednesday." "But I’m a hard worker," the young man objected. "I arrive first, leave last, and I even have worked through my coffee breaks!" The foreman, sensing the boy’s integrity thought for a minute and then asked, "Have you been sharpening your ax?" The young man replied, "I’ve been working too hard to take the time." How about you? Have you been too busy, too hard at work to sharpen your ax? Prayer is the hone that gives you that sharp edge. Without it, the more work you do, the duller you’ll get.
A. Jesus had become our “HIGH PRIEST”…
1. He is now our High Priest. In the Old Testament, the High Priest was mediator between God and His people. He would offer animal sacrifices according to the law and intercede before God for the people’s sins. Jesus has once and for all paid the penalty for all our sins by His own sacrificial death, and He continually intercedes on our behalf before God.
2. He has made it possible for us to boldly approach God’s throne of Grace in prayer
3. As our High Priest…
a. He is able to save those who come to God through Him.
b. What does it mean that Jesus is able to save completely? No one else can add to what Jesus did to save us; our past, present, and future sins are all forgiven, and Jesus is with the Father as a sign that our sins are forgiven.
c. He “ever lives” to make intercession for us. As our High Priest, Christ is our advocate, the mediator between us and God. The Old Testament High Priest went before God once a year to plead for the forgiveness of the nation’s sins; Christ makes perpetual intercession before God for us. Christ’s presence in heaven with the Father assures us that our sins have been paid for and forgiven.
B. When We don’t pray as we should…
1. Jesus cannot be our High Priest, our intercessor!
2. Figuratively speaking, we have taken the “praying hands” of Jesus and “bound” them behind His back! He cannot work because we will not pray!
C. Are We Doing This?
1. If so, what a travesty this is!
2. For here is Jesus…………
a. Who “lives” to intercede for us.
b. But Who can’t, because we prevent Him from doing so by our failure to pray!
IV. BY REFUSING TO DO OUR PART IN THE CHURCH
1st Corinthians 12:12-27 (AMP) 22But instead, there is [absolute] necessity for the parts of the body that are considered the more weak. 23And those [parts] of the body which we consider rather ignoble are [the very parts] which we invest with additional honor, and our unseemly parts and those unsuitable for exposure are treated with seemliness (modesty and decorum), 24Which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so adjusted (mingled, harmonized, and subtly proportioned the parts of) the whole body, giving the greater honor and richer endowment to the inferior parts which lack [apparent importance], 25So that there should be no division or discord or lack of adaptation [of the parts of the body to each other], but the members all alike should have a mutual interest in and care for one another. 26And if one member suffers, all the parts [share] the suffering; if one member is honored, all the members [share in] the enjoyment of it. 27Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body and [individually] you are members of it, each part severally and distinct [each with his own place and function].
A. The Church is described as the “Body of Christ”.
1. As His Body, we are individually members of one another.
a. There should be no division in the body, since we all share the same life through the Spirit.
2. As members of one another, we are to care for one another.
a. Ephesians 4:15, 16 (AMP) 15Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). 16For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love.
3. It is through mutual edification that Christ provides much of His help for the members of His body!
B. But when we fail to do our share, again Jesus is bound!
1. Just as our physical head can do little if our bodily members fail to follow its leading, so it is with Jesus and His Church! Using the analogy of the body, Paul emphasizes the importance of each Church member in 1st Corninthians12:14-22. Each member must use the gifts given them and encourage
others to use theirs. If we do not do our part, we bind Jesus!
2. Jesus could do so much more for the Church and through the Church, if only each member did their part!
C. Have you ever considered it this way?
1. That by failing to do our part, we “handicap” the body of Christ? That fact should motivate us to be the strongest member we can be. Every part of the body contributes toward the growth of the Church.
Illustration: I have never lifted a barn, but Herman Ostry, a farmer in Bruno, Nebraska, has. Shortly after buying a piece of land and a barn, a nearby creek rose and the barn was under twenty nine inches of water. He half-jokingly said to his family, "I bet if we had enough people, we could pick up that barn and carry it to higher ground." To his surprise, one of his sons, Mike, started thinking about it, and by counting the number of boards, timbers, and nails, he estimated that the barn weighed about 19,000 pounds. Mike figured that three hundred forty four people would only have to lift about fifty-five pounds to carry the barn to higher ground. But how do that many people get a grip on the barn in order to lift it? Mike ingeniously designed a grid of steel tubing and attached it to the inside and outside of the barn. This provided handles for the "barn raisers." As the town of Bruno was planning its centennial activities, Herman suggested a "barn raising" as part of the celebration. As the centennial approached word of the "barn raising" spread far beyond Bruno. On the morning of the lift, July 30, 1988, nearly four hundred thousand people from eleven states were there. When everything was ready, Herman counted, "one, two, three." The 344 people lifted the barn, and it rose like nothing at all. The crowd cheered and applauded as they carried that 9-ton barn fifty yards up a hill in just three minutes. How did they do it? They got enough people to work towards a common goal, spreading the load evenly and equally, and at the same time, with one heart, one mind, one purpose, one direction, and two hands they were able to accomplish the impossible.
2. That because of our neglect, or apathy, or lukewarmness…
a. Either the whole body of Christ suffers…
b. Or others are forced to do “double duty” in order to make up the difference?
V. BY REFUSING TO SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH THE LOST
Psalm 107:2—(KJV) “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.”
Illustration: George Sweeting, in his book The No-Guilt Guide for Witnessing, tells of a man by the name of John Currier who in 1949 was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Later he was transferred and paroled to work on a farm near Nashville, Tennessee. In 1968, Currier’s sentence was terminated, and a letter bearing the good news was sent to him. But John never saw the letter, nor was he told anything about it. Life on that farm was hard and without promise for the future. Yet John kept doing what he was told even after the farmer for whom he worked had died. Ten years went by. Then a state parole officer learned about Currier’s plight, found him, and told him that his sentence had been terminated. He was a free man. Sweeting concluded that story by asking, "Would it matter to you if someone sent you an important message -- the most important in your life -- and year after year the urgent message was never delivered?" We who have heard the good news and experienced freedom through Christ are responsible to proclaim it to others still enslaved by sin.
A. Jesus has made His disciples to be His “hands” in taking the Gospel to the lost….
1. Mark 16:15, 16 (AMP) 15And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race]. 16He who believes [who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] and is baptized will be saved [from the penalty of eternal death]; but he who does not believe [who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] will be condemned.
2. In every case of conversion recorded in Acts, Jesus used a disciple to tell the good news.
3. Jesus works the same way today! We are His ambassadors. We are His messengers! We do not need to pray about whether or not to witness, we should just do it!
ILLUS. Norman Cates shared the humorous story of a guy who prayed this prayer ever morning, “LORD, if you want me to witness to someone today, please give me a sign to show me who it is.” One day he found himself on a bus when a big, burly man sat next to him. The bus was nearly empty but this guy sat next to our praying friend. The timid Christian anxiously waited for his stop so he could exit the bus. But before he could get very nervous about the man next to him, the big guy burst into tears and began to weep. He then cried with a loud voice, “I need to be saved. I’m a lost sinner and I need the LORD. Won’t somebody tell me how to be saved?” He turned to the Christian and pleaded, “Can you show me how to be saved?” The believer immediately bowed his head and prayed, ‘LORD, is this a sign?” Are you looking for a “sign” to start witnessing?
B. But to the degree that we keep the “Good News” to ourselves…
1. We have “bound the hands” of Jesus once again! We are His hands, feet, and mouth!
2. When we refuse to share the Gospel we hinder Jesus from telling others of His wonderful Grace!
C. Are We “Binding The Hands Of Jesus” in this way?
1. Every day countless souls die with no hope of eternal life. Every two seconds three lost souls slip off into eternity.
2. This need not be, if more would make the sharing of the Gospel the primary concern in their lives!
3. Sadly, in too many cases the primary concern of Christians is the pursuit of pleasure and acquisition of worldly treasure!
Conclusion: Yes, one does not have to literally “bind the hands of Jesus” to be guilty of the same sort of offense that we read about in Mark 15:1; as we have seen, there are many other ways as well! WE “Bind The Hands of Jesus,” when we: 1) Refuse to obey the Gospel, 2) Refuse to be transformed, 3) Refuse to pray, 4) Refuse to do our part in the Church, and 5) Refuse to share the gospel with the lost. Why not today, resolve to “loose the hands of Jesus” so that IN us and THROUGH us He may accomplish His full desire? Which is…a) to SAVE US! to TRANSFORM US! and c) to USE US!
