Who Is Responsible For The Death Of Jesus?
Sit down and watch the evening news, pen up the morning paper or listen to the radio while driving to work and there is the topic: Who is responsible for the death of Jesus? I never thought that would be news.
Have you noticed: No one wants to take responsibility. Amazing.
The same thing was happening in Jesus day. The world never changes.
This morning we continue our series through the end of the Gospel of Mark. So we are faced with dealing with the question: Who is to blame for the death of Jesus?
Was it Pilate?
Was it the Priests?
Was it the People?
Actually it is more complicated – and very serious. We are not simply dealing with a physical act here. here is a spiritual battle going on.
When we think of the life of Jesus, we need to understand more than just what he has done, we need to understand what is going on behind it. In this section of Scripture we again find out more about who Jesus is more in what he doesn’t say – than in what he does say.
This morning let’s take a look at the different people involved with Jesus to see if we can get a handle of what is happening:
Pilate.
Verse 1. the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin reached a decision. Their decision is to condemn Jesus.
But they cannot condemn him to death, they are occupied by a foreign government so they have to get the Romans to kill Jesus. We will get back to the Jewish authorities later….For now we see that Pilate receives Jesus because he is the authority in the land.
Who was Pilate? Pontius Pilate – essentially he was governor over the region. Both Josephus and Philo tell us he had a cruel disposition, was inflexible, stubborn. His reign was racked with bribery, executions without trail, misappropriation of funds and on and on. There is a long list of incidents ending with the massacre of Samaritans on a pilgrimage, who were following a prophet up a mountain. He blocked their way with calvary. Those not killed, were captured and executed.
Rome recalled him – It is thought that he was banished to France.
He had his capitol in Caesarea by the sea– he hated Jerusalem and was only traveling through during this time. He took up residence during the holidays – to keep a watch on the Temple. He was very concerned with uprisings. See, Passover celebrates freedom from Egypt - Freedom from oppression - which the Romans happend to be doing.Passover was a time of year where riots and uprisings tended to happen.
It is very apparent Pilate worked with the high priest Caiaphas. A large sum of money was taken by Pilate from the temple treasury to build and aqueduct. As a result riots occurred many people died. Now it was clear that he could not have done this without inside help. Not without permission, not without assistance. So it is no coincident that, later, when Pilate is removed, so is Caiaphas in 37 AD. These two weren’t friends, or business partners, or associates - they just used each other for political purposes.
Judea – was known for its instability and Rome did not want to deal with it. They wanted Pilate to keep the peace or else. This is Pilate’s mindset as he interrogates Jesus. Keep in mind: Pilate is not moved by fairness, mercy, good administration. He has one thing in mind: how can I turn this situation into a political advantage?
So Jesus is brought to him. Verse 2. “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. King of the Jews is a Roman designation. Perhaps he is reading the charges and speaks in astonishment. The intonation of his question is with mockery. Perhaps he was expecting someone more impressive. You have got to be kidding.
Jesus’ reply really is this: Yes – you don’t know how true it is. meaning there is much behind that statement. The priests pick up on this and start throwing out accusations. They understand (verse 3).
Why is Pilate amazed at Jesus lack of defense? (verse 4-5) Imagine how many men were brought before him Roman culture held high appreciation for this quality. It seems Jesus is turning out to be more than Pilate bargained for. He thought this would be easy: Make points with the high priest - Move on. But it is becoming clear to Pilate that people might follow these qualities.
Why does Jesus do this? To fulfill prophecy. Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
Remember – there is a spiritual battle going on here. Jesus, as we will see in another sermon, gives up his life on the cross, rather than his life taken from him. Jesus – divine, full of authority, is in control.
It is our sin that is upon Jesus on the cross.
Pilate being crafty – places the burden back upon the high priest. If there is a riot – Rome cannot blame him. So he will release a prisoner. Apparently Barabbas was supposed to be on the cross Jesus was laterplaced on. He was a Zealot – fighting for Israel’s freedom. Pilate is not trying to save Jesus. He is placing blame – whatever happens.
Barabbas’ full name is Jesus Barabbas. Found in the Greek text – not in the English. Jesus a very common name, Jesus Barabbas means: Jesus son of Abbas. Two Jesus’ - Jesus son of God and Jesus son of Abbas.
9 “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate, - This is no coincidence. This is for us. Like Pilate we all must chose. Jesus Son of God or Jesus the man.
Can we blame Pilate for Jesus’ death?
Our question at this point is: Have we chosen the real Jesus in our life?
The Priests.
We saw earlier that they have a trial at the high priests house and find Jesus guilty of..Blasphemy. Not a charge the Romans would care about.
It is apparent that they charge him with claiming to be “king of the Jews”. These men will do whatever it takes to get Jesus.
I have had bosses demand from me, “Do whatever it takes” They want results – even if it is unethical.
They know Pilate, theyk now he can be pressured.
Though it is not stated in Scripture, Pilate doesn’t come up with this charge himself.
Are these men to blame?
We see in acts 6:7 that a great company of priests came to a saving knowledge In Jesus Christ. Imagine that? Jesus transforming the lives the very ones who placed him on the path of crucifixion. What have you done that is close to that? What a testamony.
The People.
We can make the mistake thinking that the crowd is made up of people brought by the high priests. Though they did have great influence over the crowd, probably were not brought there only by the priests. In fact most were there to plea for their prisoner to be released as was the custom.
Some doubt this saying it was not a law.
But this kind of gesture would not be a law.
Be careful: Doubters usually don’t have enough information - just doubts.
So the people are pulling for their man. Most likely Jesus Barabbas has friends out there as he belonged to an active organization They see it as a chance to get him out. So they want Jesus Christ dead!
And he is on his way..
Is the crowd to blame?
What About Me?
Actually – Me, you, everyone in this room is to blame.
Remember what we have seen that Jesus is awesomely divine and hannot be surprised, that Jesus leads events, does not let events lead him. So it is clear that Jesus lets all of this happen. Pilate is no more to blame than you or I. We all share equal blame. This is why: It is our sin that Jesus took upon himself – and crucified Jesus.
All this talk about who to blame is ridiculous.
Acts 2:36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Pilate lived a life of trying to please everyone we can too. We see that Scripture tells us that Jesus Christ is the only way, a Presbyterian doctrine, no matter what some loose Presbyterian Pastors say – Jesus is the only way.
Like Pilate we have to chose between
Jesus – Son of God.
Jesus – Barabbas – just a man.
Which Jesus is the real Jesus?
