Insults came out of a need to protect themselves.

Protecting their Religion

They remembered Jesus statement that he could rebuild the Temple in 3 days

Protecting their Power

If Jesus was King, then who were they?

Protecting their Guilt

If Jesus is God’s Son, then we are guilty.

What a strange sight this must’ve been from heaven. I can picture the Father holding back the archangels who want to rescue the Son and destroy the earth.

The only thing that kept Jesus on that cross was His great love for the world, John 3:16.

1. The soldiers

Beat Christ with a whip

Mocked him without conscience

Spit on Him

2. Crucifixion is the cruelest mode of death

Only for the worst offenders

Crucified naked

Numbered with sinners

Barabbas is a bit player with no lines.

We don’t know much about him so we should be careful with any conclusions

Barabbas was both an insurrectionist and a murderer

- It is likely the two thieves crucified with Jesus were accomplices of Barabbas

Barabbas can say more than anyone in history, "Jesus died on my cross."

- Barabbas still had to make a decision about Jesus

We must make that same decision about Jesus. What will you do with Jesus?

The priests easily manipulate the crowd

- A week earlier they were praising Jesus as He entered on Palm Sunday

- Corrupt leaders are capable of inducing a bad choice

Even though they chose Barabbas, they still had to make a decision about Jesus

- You don’t get rid of Jesus just because you choose another god

- Even today, the crowd will choose almost anything other than Jesus

"His blood be on us and on our children" was a prophetic statement, though they didn't know that at the time.

- In AD 70 the city of Jerusalem was completely destroyed

- The blood of Jesus was shed for them and their children

Jesus still died for the priests and for the crowd.

Pilate was an enemy of the Jewish people who became their needed ally.

- He brought his army to Jerusalem

- He raided the Temple treasury to build an aqueduct

- He killed some Galileans while they were offering sacrifices at the Temple

Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent.

- He knew the Jews motivation wasn’t pure

- He was warned by his wife

- He asked, “What has He done wrong?”

- He washed his hands to show his opinion

Pilate didn't have the fortitude to do what he knew to be right.

- He tried to bargain out of responsibility

- He was too weak to believe the truth and too fearful to deny it altogether

Pilate claimed innocence while enabling rebellion.

- Despite his desire, Pilate is forever linked to the crucifixion of Jesus

Pilate made the choice to not choose.

- To not choose is to choose

Jesus still died for Pilate.

Lust is staring with thoughts of action.

The hyperbole Jesus uses is meant to show the seriousness of the offense.

The “tingles” are dangerous.

Marriage is a covenant, not a contract.

Marriage must be honored by all

Take very seriously a second marriage.

1. Theologically, we must confront the sin of anger

Anger can fool us into thinking that we have no responsibility for it, that others are the reason we are angry.

Confront the sin, repent, begin to learn how to deal with it.

2. Relationally, anger harms our walk with God

Anger can fool us into thinking we have the moral high ground, that God is on our side.

3. Practically, anger can multiply our problems, not solve them.

Anger can fool us into thinking that everyone else agrees that we are in the right.

Interview with Joel Bowden of the South Texas Children's Home. This interview took place in 2017.

Notes on Persecution

Persecution proves that we should not seek Peace At Any Cost

- otherwise why would we be persecuted

- Seeking Peace in a World at War will bring Persecution

For Righteousness Sake

- Not for Foolishness

- Not for Disobedience

- Not for Objectionable Behavior

- Not for Being a Nuisance

- Not for Being Difficult to Live with

- Not for Being Self-Righteous

- Not for Being Fanatics

- Not for Political Reasons

- When the thing charged as wrong is actually right

- For Being like Christ - Living out the prior Beatitudes

2 Timothy 3:12

Persecution comes from all sides

- At the hands of the world

- At the hands of the religious and the nominal church

Why are Christians Persecuted?

- Others feel guilty when they see true righteousness lives out by believers

- Conviction leads to repentance or anger

- The Christian doesn't blend in to a godless society

- Cannot be universally popular and be a faithful believer

- Christianity is necessarily an intolerant religion and it provokes strife

- Don't be afraid to provoke it

- We must get the first beatitude right to get the last one right!

- Why don't they respect my principles?

- Some will

- Some will be angry with your principles

The Unbelievable Response to Persecution

- Rejoice and Be Glad

This is deep, spiritual joy that is unhindered and unchanged by what happens in this present life

- Don't be surprised

- Don't sulk

- Don't self-pity

- Don't retaliate

- Don't feel resentment

- Look Back

Prophets of old were persecuted

Jeremiah beaten (Jeremiah 20:2)

Zechariah stoned (2 Chronicles 24:21)

Isaiah sewn in two

Jesus

- Look Forward

Great is our reward in heaven

This life is not all there is - rewards here are not as valuable as rewards in heaven

I know where I am going and what awaits me