The Trial Of Jesus Before The Spiritual And Government Authorities Series

When Lot lived in Sodom, the word of God says he was tormented daily by their sinfulness in his righteous heart, 2 Peter 2:8, tormented by the things he saw and heard. And just as much we in the USA are tormented in our righteous hearts by what we see and hear in the United States, all the multiplied evil, crime, theft, debauchery, sexual immorality, consumerism, corruption, human trafficking, and poverty. We’re tormented in our righteous hearts.

But I think one of the hardest realizations is when we fall into sin as well, and we realize, wait, I’m not any better than any of this, Lord, take my life. But God says no, repent, seek forgiveness and you’ll be righteous anew. Don’t give in to the flood of sin around you, stand above it, on the rock of Christ.

The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Always remember that. And stand firm. If you fall, get up quickly.

Third section today, Jesus brought before the roman authorities.

Mark 15:1, "Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.”

Here you see Jesus in an all-night ordeal. No sleep, up all night, and now brought before the authorities in the morning. That’s one of the worst things, when you haven’t slept, all night, then have to face some great trial the next day. Because you haven’t slept, you have no energy or strength or emotional reserves for it.

I’m sure that’s all by design. There’s a been a few times in my life where I’ve had all night ordeals. Once before a court date, terrified. Another time, in the hospital. It’s ugly.

Pontius Pilate, the roman governor of the area, comes to Jesus and asks him a question: (v.1)

“Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate.

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

Again Jesus confirms that he is the Lord, the son of God, to both the spiritual authorities and the government authorities. He doesn’t hide or deny anything.

In verses 3-5: "The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.”

But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.”

Pilate was amazed at Jesus. In fact, Pilate’s wife had had dreams of Jesus, and had told Pilate not to hurt Jesus.

Pilate isn’t sure what to do next. So he brings Jesus before the crowd.

It says in verses 6-11: "Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested. A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.

“Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate, knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.”

Over the Passover it was customary for Pilate to release a prisoner from custody as part of the festival apparently.