Last Words of Jesus (2)
Last Words of Jesus (2)
Jesus did not spend too many words from the time of his arrest and death on the cross. Last week we looked at some of those words. In particular, Jesus surrendered his case to the Father by saying, “Not my will but yours be done”. From that time on he did not say much. He left his case and vindication to God the Father.
There comes times in our lives when we must leave our case to God to argue for us. There are points in life when you know the truth about a case involving you and someone or people have lied and misrepresented you. All we can do at those points is to keep quiet and let God vindicate us. You and I don’t always have to press our points. Some times we must let it go and play the fool. Jesus did exactly that; so let’s read on. Have you been lied about and misrepresented? I will not lie to you; it really hurts especially when it comes from those you are looking out for (the very people Jesus came to save).
Luke 22: 66-71; 23:1-5
66 As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying, 67 “If You are the Christ, tell us.”
But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will by no means believe. 68 And if I also ask you, you will by no means answer Me or let Me go.[j] 69 Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God.”
70 Then they all said, “Are You then the Son of God?”
So He said to them, “You rightly say that I am.”
71 And they said, “What further testimony do we need? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.”
1 Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the[a] nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”
3 Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
He answered him and said, “It is as you say.”
4 So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.”
5 But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.”
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Jesus was not going to succumb to the politically correctness of the Chief Priests and their Counsel. Note the question asked of Jesus. Are you the Christ? The Jews believed that the Christ, the Messiah is coming. They were looking for an answer that agreed with their narrow theology. Jesus refused to answer them because as Jesus said, they will not believe. They do not want to believe period, so they were really not interested. You see answering that He is the Christ is less offensive to them. Jesus did not want to placate them. He wanted them to show their true color and intent. Sometimes you and I must do the same and not give answers that are just enough to get us out of trouble. Let truth run it’s course.
2. However, Jesus intentionally answered them the more provocative question namely, “Are you the Son of God? To the high Priests, Jesus saying He is the “Son of God” is a blasphemy (Mark 14:64). First, they can not comprehend the concept of the Son of God. Their false piety would not even allow them to say the word God what more talk about God having a son.
3. The answer that Jesus is the Son of God is still offensive and a blasphemy till this day and not only to the Jews but also to the Moslems. In God’s design, only His son could die for our sins. Anyone else would not be perfect and sinless enough to be atonement for sins of the whole world. Do not be surprised when people hate the name of Jesus as the Son of God who died and rose again. The world is comfortable with the baby Jesus in the manger but don’t talk about the Son of God who died on the cross. We must give the full disclosure of who Jesus is. It is up to people to believe or reject him. That is their business and not ours.
4. Notice the accusations against Jesus. They accused him of “perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar”. People will say all kinds of things to get their way. The high priests and their counsel were lying from their teeth. You and I know that these were clearly false. Jesus taught the people and advised them to pay taxes (Luke 20:25). Perverting the nation? Give me a break. Jesus taught the people orderliness and civility. You see, they were saying the things they thought Pilate would want to hear. Same for you and I. People would lie to your boss about you and tell them things that they think will promote your boss and themselves. It has not changed. What are you to do? Remain silent like Jesus.
5. They greatest words of Jesus at this juncture were silence. His silence to Pilate and especially Herod (Luke 23:9) spoke volumes. Let us be silent enough to allow God to speak for us. “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord”(Exodus 14:13). Do you always have the urge to speak and defend your self? Take a cue from Jesus. If you have to say anything, speak as Jesus spoke to Pilate. 3 “Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
He answered him and said, “It is as you say.” Again, Jesus gave Pilate an answer he was not expecting. Yes, I am the King of the Jews as you have said. This is the last thing Pilate wanted to hear; i.e. that there is another King to compete with Pilate’s boss Caesar. There is only one king and that is Caesar.
6. Pilate’s half hearted declaration; “I find no fault in this man” did not vindicate Jesus. Only God the Father vindicated Jesus on Easter morning. Same for you and me. Stop looking for vindication from mere man or woman. Your vindication must come from God Himself. Amen.
Once I had been so badly misrepresented and lied about that it hurt me really deep. Without going into the details, at a point I could not respond and all I could do is pray inside. My prayer was, Lord, vindicate me. In fact I prayed it every day for about 60 days. How; you may ask? I used the word “vindicate” as my daily password to log into my workplace computer for 60 days. Guess what? God did vindicate me in a big way and wiped my tears away. You may be going through your period of false accusation and rejection. Jesus who is acquainted with grieves and sorrows will see you through and will vindicate you. Hang in there my brother or sister. Amen.
Jesus did not spend too many words from the time of his arrest and death on the cross. Last week we looked at some of those words. In particular, Jesus surrendered his case to the Father by saying, “Not my will but yours be done”. From that time on he did not say much. He left his case and vindication to God the Father.
There comes times in our lives when we must leave our case to God to argue for us. There are points in life when you know the truth about a case involving you and someone or people have lied and misrepresented you. All we can do at those points is to keep quiet and let God vindicate us. You and I don’t always have to press our points. Some times we must let it go and play the fool. Jesus did exactly that; so let’s read on. Have you been lied about and misrepresented? I will not lie to you; it really hurts especially when it comes from those you are looking out for (the very people Jesus came to save).
Luke 22: 66-71; 23:1-5
66 As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying, 67 “If You are the Christ, tell us.”
But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will by no means believe. 68 And if I also ask you, you will by no means answer Me or let Me go.[j] 69 Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God.”
70 Then they all said, “Are You then the Son of God?”
So He said to them, “You rightly say that I am.”
71 And they said, “What further testimony do we need? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.”
1 Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the[a] nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”
3 Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
He answered him and said, “It is as you say.”
4 So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.”
5 But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.”
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Jesus was not going to succumb to the politically correctness of the Chief Priests and their Counsel. Note the question asked of Jesus. Are you the Christ? The Jews believed that the Christ, the Messiah is coming. They were looking for an answer that agreed with their narrow theology. Jesus refused to answer them because as Jesus said, they will not believe. They do not want to believe period, so they were really not interested. You see answering that He is the Christ is less offensive to them. Jesus did not want to placate them. He wanted them to show their true color and intent. Sometimes you and I must do the same and not give answers that are just enough to get us out of trouble. Let truth run it’s course.
2. However, Jesus intentionally answered them the more provocative question namely, “Are you the Son of God? To the high Priests, Jesus saying He is the “Son of God” is a blasphemy (Mark 14:64). First, they can not comprehend the concept of the Son of God. Their false piety would not even allow them to say the word God what more talk about God having a son.
3. The answer that Jesus is the Son of God is still offensive and a blasphemy till this day and not only to the Jews but also to the Moslems. In God’s design, only His son could die for our sins. Anyone else would not be perfect and sinless enough to be atonement for sins of the whole world. Do not be surprised when people hate the name of Jesus as the Son of God who died and rose again. The world is comfortable with the baby Jesus in the manger but don’t talk about the Son of God who died on the cross. We must give the full disclosure of who Jesus is. It is up to people to believe or reject him. That is their business and not ours.
4. Notice the accusations against Jesus. They accused him of “perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar”. People will say all kinds of things to get their way. The high priests and their counsel were lying from their teeth. You and I know that these were clearly false. Jesus taught the people and advised them to pay taxes (Luke 20:25). Perverting the nation? Give me a break. Jesus taught the people orderliness and civility. You see, they were saying the things they thought Pilate would want to hear. Same for you and I. People would lie to your boss about you and tell them things that they think will promote your boss and themselves. It has not changed. What are you to do? Remain silent like Jesus.
5. They greatest words of Jesus at this juncture were silence. His silence to Pilate and especially Herod (Luke 23:9) spoke volumes. Let us be silent enough to allow God to speak for us. “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord”(Exodus 14:13). Do you always have the urge to speak and defend your self? Take a cue from Jesus. If you have to say anything, speak as Jesus spoke to Pilate. 3 “Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
He answered him and said, “It is as you say.” Again, Jesus gave Pilate an answer he was not expecting. Yes, I am the King of the Jews as you have said. This is the last thing Pilate wanted to hear; i.e. that there is another King to compete with Pilate’s boss Caesar. There is only one king and that is Caesar.
6. Pilate’s half hearted declaration; “I find no fault in this man” did not vindicate Jesus. Only God the Father vindicated Jesus on Easter morning. Same for you and me. Stop looking for vindication from mere man or woman. Your vindication must come from God Himself. Amen.
Once I had been so badly misrepresented and lied about that it hurt me really deep. Without going into the details, at a point I could not respond and all I could do is pray inside. My prayer was, Lord, vindicate me. In fact I prayed it every day for about 60 days. How; you may ask? I used the word “vindicate” as my daily password to log into my workplace computer for 60 days. Guess what? God did vindicate me in a big way and wiped my tears away. You may be going through your period of false accusation and rejection. Jesus who is acquainted with grieves and sorrows will see you through and will vindicate you. Hang in there my brother or sister. Amen.
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