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Justification
Part 8 - Mark 15 Our Problem with Judgment[1]
This fall we’re talking about this thing, JUSTIFICATION = how you, a sinner, can stand before God and God say to you, “You are righteous. You are perfect. And you deserve to live forever in heaven with me.”
Today we’re talking about Jesus on trial. Jesus was praying in the garden of Gethsemane and then Judas shows up with Jewish religious leaders and a mob to “arrest” Jesus. Now they put Jesus on trial before the Roman governor, Pilate.
Let’s read about this trial from Mark 15.
Is this a fair trial?
No! Jesus has not done anything illegal. The Jewish religious leaders are making up lies about Jesus to get him killed, saying things like Jesus wants to overthrow the Roman government.
Does Pilate believe Jesus is guilty?
No! Pilate doesn’t think Jesus has done anything wrong and he’s ready to let him go.
So why doesn’t Pilate let Jesus go?
Because Pilate is afraid of the Jewish religious leaders and the crowd so he does the wrong thing, the unjust thing and has Jesus crucified!
What is justice?
There is “eye for eye justice” = earthly justice where we here on earth make sure you get what you deserve in this life.
There is “God’s sevenfold justice” = heavenly justice where God in heaven makes sure you get what you deserve after death.
What does our sin deserve?
God’s seven fold justice after death = condemnation, eternal wrath, hell.
What did Jesus deserve?
God’s sevenfold justice after death = glorification, eternal glory in heaven.
Did Jesus get the judgment he deserved?
No! Jesus takes our judgment for us. Jesus goes to the cross and he gets what our sins deserve. And we get what Jesus deserved = glory and eternal life in heaven.
In the gospels Pilate says he has the power to kill Jesus or set him free. Is that true?
Who is really in charge here?
Jesus. God.
Who is guilty of putting Jesus to death?
Jewish religious leaders, the Roman governor Pilate, the crowds of people who choose Barabbas a thief and murderer over Jesus, the Roman soldiers. Everybody. Us! Because Jesus died for our sins!
Who is really on trial here?
The Jewish religious leaders and Pilate and the Romans act like Jesus is on trial. But really Pilate is on trial here. Rome is on trial here. The Jews are on trial here. The world is on trial here…before God and Jesus.
The crazy thing Jesus is the real Judge of all the earth. The awesome thing is Jesus, who is God, came down from heaven to save us from being judged by taking the judgment for our sin. That’s what he does on the cross for you to save you because he loves you. The Judge gets judged for you.
What is something we just learned that we can: 1) praise God for and 2) ask God for?
[1] Kevin DeYoung, The Biggest Story Bible Storybook, Chapter 82, The Snake Crusher is Crushed, Mark 15 418-420.