Annas, Herod, & Pilate
Billy Graham was invited to be honored at a luncheon in January 2000 in Charlotte, NC. He was in his 80’s with Parkinson’s disease at the time so he initially hesitated to accept the invitation.
But the Charlotte leaders said, "We don’t expect a major address. Just come and let us honor you." So he agreed.
Many wonderful things were said Dr. Graham, after which he stepped to the rostrum, looked at the crowd, and said, "I’m reminded today of Albert Einstein, the great physicist who this month has been honored by Time magazine as the Man of the Century. Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn’t find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn’t there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn’t find it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn’t find it.
The conductor said, "Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I’m sure you bought a ticket. Don’t worry about it."
Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket.
The conductor rushed back and said, "Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don’t worry, I know who you are. No problem. You don’t need a ticket. I’m sure you bought one."
Einstein looked at him and said, "Young man, I too, know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going.’"
Having said that Billy Graham continued, "See the suit I’m wearing? It’s a brand new suit. My wife, my children, and my grandchildren are telling me I’ve gotten a little slovenly in my old age. I used to be a bit more fastidious. So I went out and bought a new suit for this luncheon and one more occasion.
You know what that other occasion is? This is the suit in which I’ll be buried. But when you hear I’m dead, I don’t want you to immediately remember the suit I’m wearing. I want you to remember this:
I not only know who I am ... I also know where I’m going."
I want to tell you today about three men who didn’t know who they were or where they were going. Each of these men was driven away from God because each was ruled by a desire that became a demon. Each of these men came face to face with Jesus on the day of his crucifixion.
We begin with a man named Annas…
Annas – The Demon of Power
Then the soldiers with their commander and the Jewish guards arrested Jesus. They tied him and led him first to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.
John 18:12-13
A little further in the text we read about the questioning of Jesus by Annas.
The High Priest Questions Jesus
Annas – The Demon of Power
The high priest asked Jesus questions about his followers and his teaching. Jesus answered, “I have spoken openly to everyone. I have always taught in synagogues and in the Temple, where all the Jews come together. I never said anything in secret.”
John 18:19-20
Annas – The Demon of Power
“So why do you question me? Ask the people who heard my teaching. They know what I said.”
When Jesus said this, one of the guards standing there hit him. The guard said, “Is that the way you answer the high priest?”
John 18:21-22
Annas was the “godfather” of a Jewish mafia
Why Annas? Why would Jesus be brought to the father-in-law of the high priest?
Annas had been appointed by the Emperor of Rom to the High Priest for six or seven years; but then the office was filled by not five of his sons, by his son-in-law Caiaphas, and by a grandson.
And in those days it was, at least for one of like Annas it was much better to have been than to be High-Priest.
He enjoyed all the dignity of the office, and all its influence also, since he was able to promote to it those most closely connected with him. And, while his sons and son-in-law acted publicly, he really directed affairs, without either the responsibility or the constraints of being the High Priest.
Annas was the power behind the power and he wanted Jesus wasted.
He was influential with the Romans due to his religious connections and to his enormous wealth.
Annas was an eminently safe Churchman, not troubled with any special convictions nor with Jewish fanaticism, a pleasant and a useful man also, who was able to furnish his friends in the Prætorium with large sums of money.
Annas gained immense revenues from the Temple-booths in spite of their unpopularity and reputation for scandal. Everyone knew that Annas was the head of a large, bold, unscrupulous, and degenerate family who were sons of Aaron.
On Sunday: Jesus entered into Jerusalem in triumph as a conqueror – hailed by all the people. How that must have galled Annas.
On Monday: Jesus cursed the fig tree & then went into the temple and turned out the money changers. Annas was furious.
On Tuesday: Members of the Sanhedrin challenged Jesus’ and questioned him publicly in a useless attempt to discredit his authority and teaching.
On Wednesday: Jesus taught in the temple while Annas schemed in the dark shadows of the city.
On Thursday: Jesus met with his disciples in the upper room and Judas made a deal with Annas to give Jesus’ location.
In the early dark hours of Friday morning Annas had Jesus arrested and brought to him. In a matter of hours Jesus would be dead. His body would hang from a criminals cross on the hill called Golgotha.
Power is a dangerous demon
Beware of those who hold power in the name of God but refuse to give allegiance to Jesus
All power and authority in heaven and on earth is God’s and it has all been given to Jesus. (Matthew 28:18)
All the governments serve at God’s pleasure. Indeed, all the power you have at your disposal – whether you are a military commander, a foreman on the line, a husband with a family, a teacher with a class, a politician with a constituency, a boss with a staff, a policeman with a badge, or a preacher with a Bible – all your power belongs to God and exists for one purpose – to create a world where the people in it can find their way home to God the father.
"Pray for rulers and for all who have authority so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God." 1 Timothy 2:2
When those who hold power and claim authority deny the place of God in this world and the next they become like this man named Annas. They are driven by the demon desire for power. Such people are capable of all manner of evil.
This is the demon that drives men like Hitler and Stalin. It is also the demon drives the inconsequential people who care more about their power than your life. It is the source of the uncaring bureaucracies that allow people to suffer for days in squalor in the aftermath of a hurricane. It is the source of self-centered business practices that produce Enron’s and Worldcom’s collapses – taking with them the retirement savings of thousands of investors. It is the source of petty politics in your office, your school, and your community.
Power that gives no allegiance to God is always out of control and ultimately destructive.
We are here today to give God the honor of allegiance to Jesus to whom God has given all authority and power. It is that submission that makes the Christian lifestyle totally and radically different.
Give Your Allegiance to God
Not my will, but your will be done in my life.
I ask you to submit yourself to Jesus right here and right now. Strike a blow to the demon of power in your life. Join me right now. Would you stand and say to God, Not my will, but your will be done in my life. (Please be seated)
Does that sound familiar? It should. It was the prayer of Jesus moments before the soldier sent by Annas seized him in the garden of Gethsemane.
For Herod it was a different demon. In his life we see the demon of pleasure.
Herod – The Demon of Pleasure
Herod asked Jesus many questions, but Jesus said nothing. 10 The leading priests and teachers of the law were standing there, strongly accusing Jesus. 11 After Herod and his soldiers had made fun of Jesus, they dressed him in a kingly robe and sent him back to Pilate.
Luke 23:9-11
Herod Antipas was the son of Herod the Great (who tried to kill Jesus as a baby). He was one of the three sons who made up a tetrarch over what was left of the Jewish nation.
Herod was king over Galilee – which is why Pilate sent Jesus to him. Pilate could make some political points and get rid of a real headache by sending Jesus to Herod.
This is the same Herod who was entertained by the dancer named Salome. It was Salome who asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter – and Herod granted her desire.
Herod had no real lasting power. He had no real influence. Herod was a puppet king. The Roman Empire allowed him to be “king” because it served their purposes for a time. Eventually Herod would be banished to Spain and live out his life in disgrace.
For now Herod was bored and looking, as always, for something entertaining – Jesus was a nice diversion. Herod had heard much about the wanderings and teachings of this prophet. He’s heard of his miracles and now he had a chance to see and question this strange man.
So Herod asked Jesus many questions – and received no answers (just how do you answer a fool?) So he and his soldiers mocked him with a king’s robe and sent him back to Pilate.
Pleasure is a unsatisfied demon
Beware of those whose interest in Jesus comes from their hunger for an experience
Listen folks, “pleasure” is a terrible demon – because he is never satisfied. The rush of good feelings that pleasure brings dissipates as quickly as fog in sunlight.
Let me read to something written by Oscar Wilde. Oscar Wilde was a playwrite in the 19th century who was one of the leaders of the Decadence Movement of his era. In modern use, decadence is often defined as a decline in or loss of excellence, obstructing the pursuit of ideals. It is typified by the elevation of cleverness, education, and intellectual pretension over experience and tradition, and is often considered materialistic.
“The gods had given me almost everything. But I let myself be lured into long spells of senseless and sensual ease...Tired of being on the heights, I deliberately went to the depths in search for new sensation. What the paradox was to me in the sphere of thought, perversity became to me in the sphere of passion. I grew careless of the lives of others. I took pleasure where it pleased me, and passed on. I forgot that every little action of the common day makes or unmakes character, and that therefore what one has done in the secret chamber, one has some day to cry aloud from the house-top. I ceased to be lord over myself. I was no longer the captain of my soul, and did not know it. I allowed pleasure to dominate me. I ended in horrible disgrace.”
Oscar Wilde, quoted by Wm. Barclay, Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians, p. 100
Pleasure is intoxicating and addictive. It also fails to satisfy, ultimately leading to total apathy toward life.
There are many who seek after Jesus only because of what he can do for them. The experience of being near someone who is great and powerful is only exciting when they use that power to do great and exciting things.
When Jesus stood mute before Herod – Herod got bored.
Jesus did not come to this world to provide for your pleasure and exciting experiences. He came to serve and save the lost. It is in service and in love that we find satisfaction in life. The demon of pleasure destroys life.
Give Your Service to Others
Not my desires, but your desire for all people with my life.
I’m going to ask you stand again and to make another declaration with your voice. Will you join me in this pledge. “Not my desires, but your desire for all people with my life.” (please be seated)
Now we come to Pilate who served the demon of popularity
Pilate – The Demon of Popularity
22 A third time Pilate said to them, “Why? What wrong has he done? I can find no reason to kill him. So I will have him punished and set him free.”
23 But they continued to shout, demanding that Jesus be crucified. Their yelling became so loud that 24 Pilate decided to give them what they wanted.
Luke 23:22-23
Annas was evil and greedy. Herod was a tragic little man who was more of an accident than a leader.
Pilate was a little moth pinned to a board. He fluttered and struggled but he didn’t have the character to stand against the pressure.
He was too hungry for acceptance and popularity from the crowd, the Jewish leaders, (whom he openly dispised) and even the Roman leaders of whom he was terrified.
Pilate was counseled by his wife to have nothing to do with Jesus (Don’t repeat this to Donna but I’ve discovered the hard way that a man would do well to listen to his wife! They have skills that transcend the physical limitations of a human body – the fabled sixth sense and eyes in the back of their heads) but he didn’t listen. The demon of popularity and acceptance was too strong for his weak character.
So after posturing like a leader he washed his hands and passed the sentence of death to a man who deserved to live.
Popularity is a fickle demon
Beware of those who follow Jesus only when there is no sacrifice
Following Jesus demands much more than a simple profession of faith when there is no price to be paid or cost demanded. The history books of the last 2000 years are littered with the stories of many who stood for Jesus when the price was their life.
Recently we watched the news daily to see what would become of a man who committed his life to Jesus 16 years ago and who was turned into the authorities in Afghanistan to be tried and put to death. He stood for Jesus without faltering and this week he was released because he was judged to be unfit mentally for trial.
What has it cost you to follow Jesus?
It saddens me to see that many followers of Jesus struggle to make worship of God and fellowship with brothers and sisters a priority in their lives.
It saddens me to see that many followers of Jesus struggle to find the heart to serve in the Childrens Ministry, to help with the youth, or to minister in a Home Group because of the time and effort involved.
It saddens me to see that many followers struggle to give an offering that is sacrificial. The idea of returning the tithe is beyond comprehension.
It saddens me to see that many followers struggle to acknowledge Jesus in prayer at the dinner table at home or in the restaurant.
It saddens me to see that many followers struggle for the courage to tell their friends, neighbors, and coworkers that they worship Jesus Christ and to see how they struggle for the courage to encourage them to come and see for themselves who Jesus is.
Beware of those who only follow Jesus when there is no cost and there is no sacrifice for in them there is no strength of character.
Give Your Life to Jesus
I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God.
Would you stand with me and then remain standing as we close this morning.
Join me in the same confession that Peter first made 2000 years ago, “I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God.”
Now if you believe that – live that out by following Jesus – whatever the cost, whatever sacrifice required.
We are called to turn from the demons that destroy the souls of Annas, Herod, and Pilate. We are called to repent from our own personal demons and to call on the name of the Lord for salvation.
Most of us here today have done that earlier in our lives – I call upon you to remember your decision to serve Jesus as Lord and Savior.
For some of you – this is new and different. You have never made this decision. Lightening is flowing through your veins as God’s Holy Spirit is convicting you of the incredible importance of this truth. I call upon you to follow Jesus with your whole life. Turn from your demons and be baptized into him – this can be your day.
We’re going to have a prayer time. You can come right now and we can pray with you about your decision. You can speak to me in the hallway following this service. You can call me this week.
Do something with this truth and do it today.
Annas is regarded in history as a slime ball and an evil man. Herod as a buffoon – and was exiled to Spain.
Pilate was a weak and broken man. In the Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt, Pontius Pilate is commemorated as a saint. According to their tradition, he secretly converted to Christianity sometime after the death of Jesus Christ, through the influence of his wife Claudia Procula (see Saint Procula). Pilate and Claudia are both commemorated as saints on June 25.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Claudia Procula is commemorated as a saint, but not Pilate, because in the Gospel accounts Claudia urged Pilate to have nothing to do with Jesus. In some Eastern Orthodox traditions, Pilate committed suicide out of remorse for having sentenced Jesus to death.
What ever happened to Pilate – whether a saved saint or a suicidal sinner – his whole life was determined by what he did with Jesus.
Nothing has changed today for any of us. Our whole life is determined by what we do when we come face to face with Jesus.
Humble yourself and come to Jesus today.
