The Death Of Deliverance-1

The DEATH of DELIVERANCE-I—Mark 15:1-47

Need:

To grasp the significance of Jesus’ death on the cross & thus to wrest the Easter season from the confines of secular thinking.

Mk. 9:30-32—“Then they departed from there & passed through Galilee, & He did not want anyone to know it. For He taught His disciples & said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, & they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.” But they did not understand this saying, & were afraid to ask Him.”

Mark related/described the chain of events surrounding Jesus’ death.

Certain events transpired in bringing about the death of Salvation/Deliverance/Emancipation/Liberation.

When does Deliverance die?

5 assumptions ensuring the death of Deliverance.

With the death of Deliverance come Assumptions of...

With the death of Deliverance, come Assumptions of...

POWER(:1-5)

Explanation:(:1-5)

:1—“Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders & scribes & the whole council; & they bound Jesus, led Him away, & delivered Him to Pilate.”

Here, Jesus’ trial switches from strictly religious political constituency to secular political constituency with religious influence.

—Pontius Pilate was the “governor” of Judea(Mt. 27:2, 11; Lk. 3:1) from 26-36AD. He was a ‘Prefect or Procurator’ meaning he did not have a specifically military purpose(Legate) as such but was an “administrative financial officer in charge of collecting taxes & keeping the peace.” Thereby he had soldiers at his disposal.

:2—“Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered & said to him, “It is as you say.”

Jesus admits His Kingship, as He is bound & led by others. Innocuous in appearance & attitude.

:3—“And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing.”

Accusation has real consequences even when false.

:4—“Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!”

:5—“But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.”

Argumentation:

Jn. 19:10-12—“Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, & power to release You?” Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.””

—Pilate is powerless against Judas, the Sanhedrin, the people & especially Jesus.

Illustration:

Home owner/Ant infestation/Exterminator cures ant problem/Illusion of POWER/But the bank forecloses on your home/Assumption of POWER

Application:

?Assumptions of POWER destroyed your Deliverance?

?Is Deliverance dead with your Assumptions?

Some of you live under the illusion that your position(with its Power)—recognition by others—warrants you favor with God. Yet your Deliverance is Dead!

—Business owner, Cucumber picker, CEO, Cellist in the symphony, President, Singer in a rock band, Plumber, Farmer, etc. All have power to some degree....

—Real Power comes from God in Christ!

Some of you live under the illusion that your long life as a ‘good person’ warrants your favor with God. Yet your Deliverance is Dead!

2— With the death of Deliverance, come Assumptions of...

GAIN(:6-15)

Explanation:(:6-15) Thru Barabbas

:6—“Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested.”

—The feast is the Feast of the Passover followed immediately by the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

:7—“And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion.”

Barabbas attempted insurrection thru murder. John also calls him a “robber.” Evidently a criminal type. Not someone in whom to place your trust.

:8—“Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them.”

Releasing a prisoner.

:9—“But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”

This title, “King of the Jews,” was a barbed slap-in-the-face to the Jews.

:10—“For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.”

Envy: Personal lack—measured by accomplishments, praises, recognition, possessions, position, etc. of men—that seeks the demise of another.

:11—“But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them.”

*Assumed their GAIN was thru Barabbas..an insurrectionist!

:12—“Pilate answered & said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?”

Again, Pilate taunts them by claiming they called Jesus the King of the Jews.” Indeed many had. but the squeaky wheel gets the grease, & the stronger crushes. Thus fear must have crept into Jesus former followers.