Introduction
• Have you ever been in a courtroom? Certainly we all have through the aide of TV – Perry Mason, Judge Judy, and Court TV.
• Many of us have actually served on a jury. If you have, did you take your work serious?
• Anybody enjoy jury duty? Was it easy?
• It’s tough to choose, Guilty or Innocent.
• In a sense life is a courtroom and each of us is the jury – a jury of one.
• Well, if we are the jury (jury of one) then who is on trial and what are we examining for?
• The words of Pilate in Matthew 27:22 give us the answer.
• Jesus is on trial. Sure He was tried way back then by priests, lawyers, theologians, governors, and a king. But you must decide as well. Why?
• Why would a man who lived nearly 2,000 years ago still be on trial today? Return to Pilate’s words, “Jesus which is called Christ”.
• The word “Christ” is the same word as “Messiah”, the “anointed One” – the long awaited Son of God who was to come and deliver God’s people.
o He was the One to whom all the OT sacrifices looked forward to.
o He was the One who would make it possible for humans and God to come together.
o He was to be the only hope of mankind.
• Yet the question must be asked, “Was Jesus the Messiah, the Christ?” Not only is that a question for a first century Jew to be interested in, but it is a question that affects you as well.
• This Jesus claimed in John 14:6 to be the only way to have a right relationship with God. If He spoke the truth, then He is the Christ. If He spoke a lie, then He is the greatest Imposter. Which is He, the Christ or and imposter. Each of us must decide!
• If He is the Christ, then make Him your Christ.
• If He is not the Christ, then you are wasting your time here this morning, for the Church is built on the foundation that Jesus is the Christ.
• Maybe you haven’t decided yet. In that case, let’s hold court. Let’s go back in time and imagine we were there when they brought Jesus in for His trail. Let’s follow Matthew’s narrative and BE THERE!
Verse 57
• What’s the setting? Those whom we have sent to arrest Jesus are now returning with Him. Notice your surroundings – a home – a very nice home – it’s Caiphas’ home – he is the high priest.
• Now usually these meetings were done in the Temple and never at night. You don’t have a watch but you’re aware that you were awoken from sleep to be here. It must be 1 or 2 in the morning.
• Why the secrecy? Why can’t this wait till morning? Is this a railroad job? I guess that is something each of us needs to decide for ourselves.
• In any case, the trial is about to begin. The prisoner has arrived. We are here. And considering the time, we shouldn’t be interrupted. So let’s get started!
Verse 58
• Matthew takes a moment to introduce us to one of this Jesus’ followers. What about those who followed Him?
• Why they had scattered and run when Jesus was taken captive.
• Doesn’t that grab you? If they are the closest to Him and yet they won’t stand up for Him (you don’t see any of them here do you?), then that doesn’t speak well of this Jesus they have been following.
• Only one follows…and then at some distance…out of sight…led more by curiosity than conviction.
• It makes me mad. He and the others could be so much help to us in deciding about Jesus, but they are not here to speak up.
• [Whisper] Of course being from the 21st century, the scene has not changed much has it? Where are His bold followers back in China Grove?
• Ah, but back to the trial.
Verses 59-60
• OK, were here so let’s bring on the witnesses. Maybe we can get back to bed before too long.
• If His followers aren’t here to give testimony, certainly there are others lined up to speak.
• “false witnesses” – Now those are the words of one of Jesus’ followers, who by the way didn’t think it important enough to be here. And he calls those witnesses who did come forward “false”. Hey, he wasn’t much better. And we have to remember, Matthew is prejudiced.
• It does raise my curiosity that we have so many witnesses to speak at 2am in the morning. They must have already been lined up – subpoenaed.
• Well maybe we are going to get some where with this trial that I’d rather not be at.
• “sought…witnesses against Jesus, to put Him to death” – On the way in tonight didn’t you hear many of our colleagues talking about how we’ve finally nabbed Jesus and that this time He wasn’t going to slip through our fingers?
• Though many around us have made up their minds about Jesus and are just looking for reasons to convict Him, let’s not be so hasty. Let’s at least hold a fair trial – give Him a chance.
• “found none” – That means the witnesses couldn’t agree. It’s imperative that we get 2 witnesses to agree or there will be no case at all against Him.
• It does seem very odd to me that 2 people can’t agree about something He did or something He said. If I were the one on trial here, it wouldn’t take long to find 2 of you here to agree on many of the faults in my life.
Verse 61
• But wait, they finally have 2 to agree. “I am able to destroy this temple of God, and to build it in three days”. That’s outlandish! Is Jesus some kind of nut or maybe He delves into witchcraft?
• Let’s add another eye witness’ account just to be fair – John 2:19-21
• There is a disagreement here or at least differing views on what He meant. [The Jewish temple or Jesus own body? There are those that believe Jesus died and 3 days later rose from the grave.]
Verses 62-63a
• Our High Priest is getting a little mad. He reminds Jesus that He is in hot water. There are 2 witnesses that agree against Him. Caiaphas is waiting to see what Jesus has to say for Himself. How will He deny what has been alleged?
• And Jesus is silent.
• Hey, when someone pleads the 5th amendment, aren’t you a little bit suspecting of their guilt?
• Why doesn’t Jesus speak? Have we uncovered something so convicting that He has nothing to say or is this whole thing so absurd and saddening that He just has no response to such deviousness. Again,I guess we have to decide.
Verse 63
• Why does Caiaphas say that? Don’t they have enough evidence? It seems like they are trying to get Jesus to convict Himself.
• He places Jesus under oath. Being from China Grove we aren’t familiar with this tactic. But anyone placed under this particular oath had to answer. If Jesus refuses, they can charge Him with contempt of the blessed name of God.
• “Alright Jesus, the hope of our people is the Messiah/Christ and Christ is the Son of God. You’ve been acting and teaching in such a way as to lead some to think you might be this Messiah. So let’s have no more uncertainty. We know you are a poor Galilean itinerant preacher, but I place you under oath to tell us whether you truly are the Messiah?
Verse 64
• “Thou hast said” – There is no hesitation. Jesus absolutely, clearly and positively affirms that he is the Messiah!
• He claims to be the Messiah, Christ, Anointed One, Deliverer, God-man, the only hope.
• Well, there you are my friends, from the lips of the accused. Decide for yourself. But better yet, hold ff just a few minutes more, for Jesus continues.
• “nevertheless” – Despite what it may look like – despite the fact that I don’t look like a king, a deliverer, right now – there is additional information you might want to know.
• In the future I’ll be sitting on the throne and I’ll be coming back. I am the Messiah, but the real truth of that will not come till later.
• What are we going to do with this information? Does it not appear to you that Jesus is saying:
o I’m on trial now. Go ahead and decide. Today you are the jury and the judge. But remember…
o The tables will soon turn and then I’ll be the judge and the jury deciding about you.
• Very Interesting
• If Jesus isn’t the Christ we don’t have anything to be concerned about – this statement is just a bunch of hot air.
• But, if Jesus is the Messiah and I don’t accept Him as such, then one day He will be judging me…you
• So what was the decision then?
Verses 65-66
Conclusion
• Ok that was then, but we too must decide.
• Remember you are the jury. And we do know that once a decision is made, the jury comes back into the courtroom and the chairman stands and publicly states “innocent or guilty”
• This morning I’m going to ask you to make your verdict about Jesus public. What are you going to do with Jesus who is called the Christ?
• Will you find Him a fake and take your chances that you are right?
• Will you find Him to be your only hope – ask Him to be your Lord and Savior?
• If you haven’t made a public decision about Christ, in a moment I’m going to ask you to do that.
• Many of us have stood up and said, “Jesus is the Christ” and have found Him to be so. He has changed our lives. Yet, He is coming back. Will He be pleased with the witness you’ve been? Have you been a Peter, afraid to speak up when your evidence just might make the difference in others believing in Jesus Christ?
• Friends, today, we are either jury – still deciding about Jesus, or we are witnesses having decided and now supposively sharing that decision with others.
• If Jesus is the Christ, then He is coming back as Judge. The tables will be turned. That hasn’t happened yet. He is still coming to you as defendant. What will you, this day, do about Jesus who is called the Christ?
• Jury, what is your decision?
