Revision as of 16:50, 19 November 2018

Objectives

• Congregants will
• Congregants will
• Congregants will

Introduction

Main Proposition

Main Body

Setting the Stage

• In John 18 Jesus was falsely accused, falsely tried, found innocent and yet still condemned. The trial is complete and the narrative moves into the sentencing phase. In Philippians 3:10 declares "that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death". What does it mean to know the fellowship of his suffering? As we celebrate Christmas we often talk about God becoming flesh, Emmanuel, God with us. In fact, Hebrews 4:15 tells us that "we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." God became human in Christ, he experienced all that it meant to be human. In fact, Christ experienced more of what it means to be human than all of us, Christ experienced death, the final enemy that all of us have yet to experience. As we look at the death of Jesus Christ we can see what ultimate servanthood looks like. We are going to contrast three representatives with the great Servant Christ, the coward, the guilty, and the praxis (convention, habit, or custom).

Contrast: The Servant and the Cowards (V. 1-16)

• Don't forget that in John 18:38 Pilate stated "I find no fault in Him at all."

The manipulations of a coward (V. 1-5)

• Verse 1: In Luke 23:16 we see that Pilate thought that flogging Jesus (an innocent man) would be a compromise that would appease the crowd. Roman flogging was a common brutal punishment that could itself result in death. The victim was stripped, tied to a post or thrown on the ground and beaten with flagella, leather whips with pieces of bone, iron and spikes. Someone who knew what they were doing could remove entire patches of skin with the flagella. Furthermore, unlike the Jews, the Romans had no limits not he number of lashes that could be given a victim.

• Verse 2-3: Next the soldiers at insult to injury by mocking Christ. They place a crown made from the long spikes of a date palm and array Christ in a purple robe. A wreath would have often been used to coronate a victor, here the soldiers use the crown to mock the one who they se as just the opposite of a victor. In the ultimate act of mockery the soldiers declare Christ king of the Jews and begin to strike Christ. Remember that at this point there is probably very little flesh remaining on His body, He is probably barely recognizable as human. The phrase "Hail the King of the Jews" is similar to phrases that soldiers would have pledged before Caesar before giving a kiss of loyalty. Little did the soldiers know that one they again will give hail to King Jesus (Philippians 2:10-11, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.)

• Verse 4-5: Now hoping that the crowd will be appeased Pilate presents Jesus back to the crowd and emphasizes that He is a man. The

The scheming of cowards (V. 6-7)

The dedication of the servant (V.8-11)

The folly of cowards (V. 12-16)

As Christians we must not cower under the pressure of the world but dedicate ourselves to selfless service for the one who made the ultimate sacrifice of service for us.

Contrast: The Servant and the Guilty (V. 17-27)

The recognition of the guilty (V. 19-22)

The Ignorance of the guilty (V. 23-24)

The servants burden (V. 17, 25-27)

Contrast: The Servant and the Praxis (V. 28-37)

The focus of the servant (V. 28-30)

The interruption of the praxis (V. 31-36)

Conclusion