Sermon Nuggets
Theme- The Trial
Verses- John 18:38-40 "What is truth?" Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release 'the king of the Jews'?"
40 They shouted back, "No, not him! Give us Barabbas!" Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion.
The Jewish leaders couldn’t get very far in the legal system this way. So they change their accusations, which was never brought up at the religious trial. He claims to be a king. Only Caesar is our king.
Hypocrisy of Politics
I suppose politicking is the cooperation of various people to achieve what each want. Often it involves negotiation, compromise and alternative ways to get an idea approved to some action.
Boy, you talk about political maneuvering when it comes to the trial of Jesus! When in the world would Jews want it publicly known their king was a Roman King? They did not recognize Caesar’s rule over them. But if this was what it took to get Pilate’s attention then they would say he is a political threat to Rome and to the civil authorities as well.
Pilate understood the politics to get in power. He had influential connections through marriage to get this appointment. He apparently came from Spain and married a young political representative Claudia who was the granddaughter of Augustus Caesar. He was part of the family. The other four earlier governors of Judea respected the strong zealous prejudice the Jews had against other gods. They would not bring up the flags or banners with the standard of Caesar inscribed on them. It was an image representing Caesar are not just king but also as God. They let the Jews govern their affairs as they could.
But Pilate did three things that infuriated the Jews. When he moved center of Roman providence from Caesarea to Jerusalem he brought in these banners with the emperor’s face and people protested for a long time. He threatened to kill them for their protests. But they offered their necks for slaughter and Pilate backed down. He tried to do the same thing placing similar shields in the palace of Herod, but outcry against him.
Pilate told them this was not Jewish territory but they were under the jurisdiction of Rome and that was too bad. These same leaders protested to Tiberius Caesar who allowed that exception to overrule Pilate, who was humiliated and power and position seemed threatened.
Finally Pilate needed a better aqueduct system and ran out of taxes to pay for it. He took money from the temple treasury and incensed the Jews. To there is not a lot of love here folks. They were ready to blackmail Pilate and turn him in so there was popular pressure to have him lose his job if he was unwilling to try Jesus on the charge that He claimed to be a king.
But after investigation there was nothing found guilty. Yet Pilate had him beaten hoping that would take care of these complainers, but it did not. He offered to release a prisoner and they cried for Barabbas. Now the hypocrisy of justice is taking the bowl and saying I am not responsible. He was responsible. He knew the law. He knew he was breaking the law. But instead of doing what was right and fair, he ordered the execution. All along there shows the difference of the justice of God compared to the justice of mankind. For personal political reasons the law is ignored but the edict is written and injustice prevails.
People are continually being jailed out of prejudice, out of envy, out of threatened power in political ways. Some simple examples America’s (and the church’s) past include racism, slavery, killing the Indians, stealing land from Mexico. Law courts are filled of non-sense law suits not for the sake of justice, but money.
There will be the day when those in sit in judgment will be standing before the judge of the world. There will be justice. There will be vengeance. There will be things made right. That too is the hope of the Christians who are victimized and abused and beaten and falsely accused and feel as if God has abandoned them. But Jesus won and is coming again to claim his own.
One day Jesus stood before Annas and Caiaphas and the Sanhedrain and they made a mockery of religion. But some day in the future Annas and Caiaphas and Pilate will stand before Jesus the righteous one to receive their eternal sentence. God who knows the hearts of each person will reveal the works and the reason for those works.
Before Christ there will be no plea bargaining or Boston lawyers to you off. Truth will prevail. Don’t let the atrocities of government, rules and laws keep you form a relationship of Jesus for all of that will be judged as well. What will you do with Jesus Christ?
Pastor Dale
Friday, November 14, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Hyprocrisy of Justice John 18:28-37
Sermon Nuggets Thurs Nov 13
Theme The Trial
Verses John 18:28-37 Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover.
29 So Pilate came out to them and asked, "What charges are you bringing against this man?"
30 "If he were not a criminal," they replied, "we would not have handed him over to you."
31 Pilate said, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." "But we have no right to execute anyone," the Jews objected. 32 This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going to die would be fulfilled.
33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"
34 "Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?"
35 "Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?"
36 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."
37 "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
The Hypocrisy of Justice.
In Matthew 26:59 reads, “The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death.”
Do you understand what this means? There was no sense of "innocent until proven guilty". Not only is the faith perverted by their sinful heart, but so was the legal system that was seeking justice. Injustice is done when there is the backroom bargaining, and wheeling and dealing with Judas, the Roman officials, and other temple guards. As far as justice among the religious leaders we should comment they broke their own rules. The Sanhedrin typically met for legal functions in the hall of hewn stone off the temple complex. They meet, like the congress does, only during certain daytime hours, and never during religious festivals and holidays If there was a religious trial they were required to examine their witnesses separately and those stories had to agree.
John is letting us know that this is not going to be a fair trial! The man who sits as judge and jury has already decided weeks in advance that it would be better off for everyone if Jesus was dead! It seems if you’re trying to be faithful to God, don’t expect the world to treat you fairly.
Do you remember when that Alabama judge Roy Moore got in trouble for putting a monument of the ten commandments in the Alabama Court building? The court system handled that very expeditiously. First, they got rid of the monument. Then they got rid of the judge. The ACLU is trying to get the judge disbarred so that he wouldn’t practice law, anymore. So even in our world, if you take a stand for what is right and what is true, you can expect to be labeled as a politically incorrect radical. And you can expect opposition and even hostility.
Almost all of their own laws were broken when you combine this trial with Caiaphas trial in the Gospel of Luke and Matthew. They met in the wrong place, at night not day, during the feast of the Passover which was being celebrated. There was no agreement by the witnesses, they were not examined separately. They came up a verdict and sentences in less that four hours, not to mention 24 hours. They did not have roll call voite, but only summoned a few of the Sanhedrian to make it appear legal. They not only questioned Jesus, but struck him as well. But Chaiphas with holy indignation rips his robes and calls Jesus a blasphemer deserving of death because He claims truth.
The details of the trial of Pontius Pilate and Herod, but there is hypocrisy of justice. As cruel as a ruler Pilate was he did not know what was right and he knew it. Early in the morning Jews did not want to defile themselves by entering into his palace because he was a Gentile and this was Passover so they come and bring him a prisoner to be put to death. Doesn’t it also seem ironic that the very people who want to keep themselves religiously clean and not defile themselves is bringing the Son of God to trial? How unholy can you be?
Pilate asks the charge. Isn’t it enough to know that we find him guilty of death? No what crime has he done? Pilate learned that religious laws and state laws are different. The decision of Pilates was reasonable-do whatever you want if he broke your religious laws, but he didn’t break any law of Rome, so he shall live. He was not the least bit concerned about the charge of blasphemy or claiming to be God’s son. That was no matter of concern to him.
The fact is the religious rulers wanted Jesus dead, but did not have that type of power in an official way under the Roman law.
It seems to be there are many incidents of stoning by Jewish law that show no repercussions by Rome, but my take on this is the Sovereign workings of God wanted the Jews and Gentiles part of the sham of the trial. As Jesus was to die for our sins it was for the sins of the whole world. I think the part that all played was representative and prophetic of the way the world condemned Jesus. We justify our own behaviors and desires when we are confronted by true holiness. None are guiltless, which is why we need a savior.
Evaluate how you come up with your conclusions that justify thoughts, actions, and decisions. Are we being honest with ourselves? More importantly, are we being honest with the Lord?
Pastor Dale
Theme The Trial
Verses John 18:28-37 Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover.
29 So Pilate came out to them and asked, "What charges are you bringing against this man?"
30 "If he were not a criminal," they replied, "we would not have handed him over to you."
31 Pilate said, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." "But we have no right to execute anyone," the Jews objected. 32 This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going to die would be fulfilled.
33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"
34 "Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?"
35 "Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?"
36 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."
37 "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
The Hypocrisy of Justice.
In Matthew 26:59 reads, “The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death.”
Do you understand what this means? There was no sense of "innocent until proven guilty". Not only is the faith perverted by their sinful heart, but so was the legal system that was seeking justice. Injustice is done when there is the backroom bargaining, and wheeling and dealing with Judas, the Roman officials, and other temple guards. As far as justice among the religious leaders we should comment they broke their own rules. The Sanhedrin typically met for legal functions in the hall of hewn stone off the temple complex. They meet, like the congress does, only during certain daytime hours, and never during religious festivals and holidays If there was a religious trial they were required to examine their witnesses separately and those stories had to agree.
John is letting us know that this is not going to be a fair trial! The man who sits as judge and jury has already decided weeks in advance that it would be better off for everyone if Jesus was dead! It seems if you’re trying to be faithful to God, don’t expect the world to treat you fairly.
Do you remember when that Alabama judge Roy Moore got in trouble for putting a monument of the ten commandments in the Alabama Court building? The court system handled that very expeditiously. First, they got rid of the monument. Then they got rid of the judge. The ACLU is trying to get the judge disbarred so that he wouldn’t practice law, anymore. So even in our world, if you take a stand for what is right and what is true, you can expect to be labeled as a politically incorrect radical. And you can expect opposition and even hostility.
Almost all of their own laws were broken when you combine this trial with Caiaphas trial in the Gospel of Luke and Matthew. They met in the wrong place, at night not day, during the feast of the Passover which was being celebrated. There was no agreement by the witnesses, they were not examined separately. They came up a verdict and sentences in less that four hours, not to mention 24 hours. They did not have roll call voite, but only summoned a few of the Sanhedrian to make it appear legal. They not only questioned Jesus, but struck him as well. But Chaiphas with holy indignation rips his robes and calls Jesus a blasphemer deserving of death because He claims truth.
The details of the trial of Pontius Pilate and Herod, but there is hypocrisy of justice. As cruel as a ruler Pilate was he did not know what was right and he knew it. Early in the morning Jews did not want to defile themselves by entering into his palace because he was a Gentile and this was Passover so they come and bring him a prisoner to be put to death. Doesn’t it also seem ironic that the very people who want to keep themselves religiously clean and not defile themselves is bringing the Son of God to trial? How unholy can you be?
Pilate asks the charge. Isn’t it enough to know that we find him guilty of death? No what crime has he done? Pilate learned that religious laws and state laws are different. The decision of Pilates was reasonable-do whatever you want if he broke your religious laws, but he didn’t break any law of Rome, so he shall live. He was not the least bit concerned about the charge of blasphemy or claiming to be God’s son. That was no matter of concern to him.
The fact is the religious rulers wanted Jesus dead, but did not have that type of power in an official way under the Roman law.
It seems to be there are many incidents of stoning by Jewish law that show no repercussions by Rome, but my take on this is the Sovereign workings of God wanted the Jews and Gentiles part of the sham of the trial. As Jesus was to die for our sins it was for the sins of the whole world. I think the part that all played was representative and prophetic of the way the world condemned Jesus. We justify our own behaviors and desires when we are confronted by true holiness. None are guiltless, which is why we need a savior.
Evaluate how you come up with your conclusions that justify thoughts, actions, and decisions. Are we being honest with ourselves? More importantly, are we being honest with the Lord?
Pastor Dale
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Sermon nuggets Weds Nov 12
Theme The Trial
Verses- John 18:19-24 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
20 "I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.
21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said."
22 When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded.
23 "If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?"
24 Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.
Honesty of Jesus
Is honesty the best policy? Some people think by being honest things always turn out for the best. But Jesus shows that even in the face of hypocrisy, He told the truth or said nothing at all. Instead of being set free He is killed. But the final outcome is still in the hands of God.
If Jesus had something to say about someone it was truth. He didn’t care who heard it. He spoke openly and publicly. They were questioning him on doctrine, and the disciples, but they didn’t have to ask him. He could point to many around the room who were there for he spoke openly in the temple and in the synagogues and at the lake, and on the mountain and in the boat and in the valleys. He was the light that shined in the darkness. The light is placed on the lamp stand that all may see.
It is better to speak the truth than lies and much easier too. You don‘t have to remember what you said to whom to cover up lies and then lies to cover up other lies and it grows like a cancer.
Jesus answers to Annas and Caiaphas pointed out their hypocrisy. Where are your witnesses? That’s the law, they knew it. “Why do you strike me?” That’s against the law, they knew it. But the prophecies once again predicted it. Micah 5:8 “They shall strike the judge of Israel on the cheek.” Can you imagine the prosecuting attorney going over to Tom Petters and slapping him in the face because he didn’t like his answers? That would be ridiculous!
That happened to Paul in Acts 23. The high priest ordered those standing near to strike him on the mouth, and Paul called him a whitewashed wall. “You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck?” When something is rotting or has blemishes people paint it to cover it up.
Mark Twain said, “Always do what is right this will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”
We live in a culture that is so used to dishonesty that we have accountants to confirm that our financial records are correct. We have police officers and video cameras to keep people from stealing or robbing others.
Friends let us not be naïve, we will continue to run into hypocrisy. You will find it in religion you will find it in church you will find it in people around you, you will find it in the justice system but you will never find it in Jesus Christ.
What you find in Jesus is t one who was wiling to be a victim of injustice and prison and condemned to set us free form all our unrighteousness. He is to show us a more excellent way. I Peter 3:18 says, “Jesus suffered for sin the just for the unjust that He might bring us unto God.”
Even these hypocritical men were part of carrying out God’s greater plan. Those who oppose Him actually accomplish His purposes---they just didn't know it!
How does Jesus deal with hypocrisy? With honesty. Jesus knows the pretense of each heart and life and faces us with truth. The excuses of refusing to come to Christ because there are too many hypocrites in church is self deceiving. Jesus knows the hearts and faces us also with honesty and love. Be sure your lies will find you out. Some day truth will be revealed to all. Until then, it is enough to know our Lord knows. Honesty is our act of worship to Him.
As long as we look to men we will be disappointed, but if Jesus is on trial, listen to truth and commitment your day to Him.
Pastor Dale
Theme The Trial
Verses- John 18:19-24 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
20 "I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.
21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said."
22 When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded.
23 "If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?"
24 Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.
Honesty of Jesus
Is honesty the best policy? Some people think by being honest things always turn out for the best. But Jesus shows that even in the face of hypocrisy, He told the truth or said nothing at all. Instead of being set free He is killed. But the final outcome is still in the hands of God.
If Jesus had something to say about someone it was truth. He didn’t care who heard it. He spoke openly and publicly. They were questioning him on doctrine, and the disciples, but they didn’t have to ask him. He could point to many around the room who were there for he spoke openly in the temple and in the synagogues and at the lake, and on the mountain and in the boat and in the valleys. He was the light that shined in the darkness. The light is placed on the lamp stand that all may see.
It is better to speak the truth than lies and much easier too. You don‘t have to remember what you said to whom to cover up lies and then lies to cover up other lies and it grows like a cancer.
Jesus answers to Annas and Caiaphas pointed out their hypocrisy. Where are your witnesses? That’s the law, they knew it. “Why do you strike me?” That’s against the law, they knew it. But the prophecies once again predicted it. Micah 5:8 “They shall strike the judge of Israel on the cheek.” Can you imagine the prosecuting attorney going over to Tom Petters and slapping him in the face because he didn’t like his answers? That would be ridiculous!
That happened to Paul in Acts 23. The high priest ordered those standing near to strike him on the mouth, and Paul called him a whitewashed wall. “You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck?” When something is rotting or has blemishes people paint it to cover it up.
Mark Twain said, “Always do what is right this will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”
We live in a culture that is so used to dishonesty that we have accountants to confirm that our financial records are correct. We have police officers and video cameras to keep people from stealing or robbing others.
Friends let us not be naïve, we will continue to run into hypocrisy. You will find it in religion you will find it in church you will find it in people around you, you will find it in the justice system but you will never find it in Jesus Christ.
What you find in Jesus is t one who was wiling to be a victim of injustice and prison and condemned to set us free form all our unrighteousness. He is to show us a more excellent way. I Peter 3:18 says, “Jesus suffered for sin the just for the unjust that He might bring us unto God.”
Even these hypocritical men were part of carrying out God’s greater plan. Those who oppose Him actually accomplish His purposes---they just didn't know it!
How does Jesus deal with hypocrisy? With honesty. Jesus knows the pretense of each heart and life and faces us with truth. The excuses of refusing to come to Christ because there are too many hypocrites in church is self deceiving. Jesus knows the hearts and faces us also with honesty and love. Be sure your lies will find you out. Some day truth will be revealed to all. Until then, it is enough to know our Lord knows. Honesty is our act of worship to Him.
As long as we look to men we will be disappointed, but if Jesus is on trial, listen to truth and commitment your day to Him.
Pastor Dale
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Hypocrisy John 18:12-14
Sermon nuggets Tues Nov 11
Theme- Jesus Trial
Verses- John 18:12-14 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.
14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people.(NIV)
The Hypocrisy of Religion
John makes more of Annas than the other Gospel accounts. In fact, Matthew, Mark and Luke deal mostly with the trial in Caiaphas’ courtyard. Perhaps John is personally present here at this one and maybe not at the trial before Caiaphas. But this might also show the power behind the religious scene in Israel at that time. Annas was the Father-in-law of Caiaphas. He served from 6 to 15 AD. The Romans appointed political high priest, and it was not uncommon for Jews to bribe the Romans with money to get certain positions and appointment. The hypocrisy at this point is paying money to hold an office that is to serve the Lord, not themselves for the Romans.
Annas was extremely wealthy. His household was extremely influential in the religious community. This is indicated first by the fact that the next 5 High priests after Annas were his sons, and then the 6th was Caiaphs, his Son-in-law. Annas was ultimately in control and had tremendous influence over this office. He was in charge of the temple concessions. So it seems John is showing the first place Jesus taken is bound before him.
Remember when Jesus upset the tables of the money changers and drove out the animals from the temple? Those in charge were not happy with Jesus for doing that. It was affecting their profit and pointing out their hypocrisy and thievery. It was the household of Annas that hired priests to examine the animals brought for sacrifice by the people. They examined the animals to see if they were appropriate to use. Guess what? Many did not pass the examination, and people were forced to get a animal that was conveniently provided in the concession stands owned and operated by Annas. You want a Kosher animal, these meet the requirement and incidentally they are 5 times more expensive than what you could get from a local shepherd. Does that surprise you?
Boy the first time I ever returned a rental car without filling it up I learned that lesson. You have to come with a full car of gas and conveniently we will fill it up for you, but at quite inflated prices. What a deal.
The temple money changing also became known popularly known as the Bazaar of Annas. The temple would not accept Roman or Greek money, but you could change it into the temple money and once again the exchange rate would profit the temple administration. The Jewish Talmud says ‘Woe to the house of Annas, woe to their servants house, they are high priests, they are the keepers of the treasury, Theirs sons-in-laws are guardians of the temple, and their servants beat the people with staffs” The Talmud expressed the feeling that many Jews also hated the household of Annas of the hypocrisy they brought to that office which was to be for worship of God and prayer.
Is it any wonder that Annas wanted to get Jesus? He and Caiaphas conspired to have Judas betray the Christ. It was arranged that the soldiers would first bring Jesus to Annas for questioning.
The religious leaders have become greatly distressed by the tremendous influence of this Galilean. Annas therefore questions Jesus about His disciples. He seems to care more about the number of those following Jesus than about the content of His teaching. If George Gallup had lived in those days, Annas would have employed him full-time as a pollster. Here was a man who cared a great deal about public opinion, not because he cared about what the people thought, but because he cared about his power and position John 11:48 “If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."
Religious hypocrisy of course is not a first century problem. It is a human problem. Satan sees to it that hypocrisy is exposed often with preacher, leaders, missionaries, deacons, elders, deaconesses, trustees of all sizes and shapes and denominations. Jesus warns leaders that their lives ought to be an example and will be judged for strictly for that very reason. It affects the whole church and testimony and body of Christ. God says, “Be holy even as I am holy” Don’t live like you used to. Now that you are saved and no longer under the power of sin or the condemnation of sin, live like it. Put into practice the things you know honor God and Gods spirit will help you.
There is no group that angered Jesus more than the Pharisees, teachers of the law, and hypocrites and the same would be true today. Those who claim to have answers than can point people to eternal freedom and teach godly truth are misleading others by their words or by their actions. Jesus said it would be better for a millstone to be tied around you neck and you be thrown into the sea than cause little ones who are open to Jesus be turned away.
Pastor Dale
Theme- Jesus Trial
Verses- John 18:12-14 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.
14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people.(NIV)
The Hypocrisy of Religion
John makes more of Annas than the other Gospel accounts. In fact, Matthew, Mark and Luke deal mostly with the trial in Caiaphas’ courtyard. Perhaps John is personally present here at this one and maybe not at the trial before Caiaphas. But this might also show the power behind the religious scene in Israel at that time. Annas was the Father-in-law of Caiaphas. He served from 6 to 15 AD. The Romans appointed political high priest, and it was not uncommon for Jews to bribe the Romans with money to get certain positions and appointment. The hypocrisy at this point is paying money to hold an office that is to serve the Lord, not themselves for the Romans.
Annas was extremely wealthy. His household was extremely influential in the religious community. This is indicated first by the fact that the next 5 High priests after Annas were his sons, and then the 6th was Caiaphs, his Son-in-law. Annas was ultimately in control and had tremendous influence over this office. He was in charge of the temple concessions. So it seems John is showing the first place Jesus taken is bound before him.
Remember when Jesus upset the tables of the money changers and drove out the animals from the temple? Those in charge were not happy with Jesus for doing that. It was affecting their profit and pointing out their hypocrisy and thievery. It was the household of Annas that hired priests to examine the animals brought for sacrifice by the people. They examined the animals to see if they were appropriate to use. Guess what? Many did not pass the examination, and people were forced to get a animal that was conveniently provided in the concession stands owned and operated by Annas. You want a Kosher animal, these meet the requirement and incidentally they are 5 times more expensive than what you could get from a local shepherd. Does that surprise you?
Boy the first time I ever returned a rental car without filling it up I learned that lesson. You have to come with a full car of gas and conveniently we will fill it up for you, but at quite inflated prices. What a deal.
The temple money changing also became known popularly known as the Bazaar of Annas. The temple would not accept Roman or Greek money, but you could change it into the temple money and once again the exchange rate would profit the temple administration. The Jewish Talmud says ‘Woe to the house of Annas, woe to their servants house, they are high priests, they are the keepers of the treasury, Theirs sons-in-laws are guardians of the temple, and their servants beat the people with staffs” The Talmud expressed the feeling that many Jews also hated the household of Annas of the hypocrisy they brought to that office which was to be for worship of God and prayer.
Is it any wonder that Annas wanted to get Jesus? He and Caiaphas conspired to have Judas betray the Christ. It was arranged that the soldiers would first bring Jesus to Annas for questioning.
The religious leaders have become greatly distressed by the tremendous influence of this Galilean. Annas therefore questions Jesus about His disciples. He seems to care more about the number of those following Jesus than about the content of His teaching. If George Gallup had lived in those days, Annas would have employed him full-time as a pollster. Here was a man who cared a great deal about public opinion, not because he cared about what the people thought, but because he cared about his power and position John 11:48 “If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."
Religious hypocrisy of course is not a first century problem. It is a human problem. Satan sees to it that hypocrisy is exposed often with preacher, leaders, missionaries, deacons, elders, deaconesses, trustees of all sizes and shapes and denominations. Jesus warns leaders that their lives ought to be an example and will be judged for strictly for that very reason. It affects the whole church and testimony and body of Christ. God says, “Be holy even as I am holy” Don’t live like you used to. Now that you are saved and no longer under the power of sin or the condemnation of sin, live like it. Put into practice the things you know honor God and Gods spirit will help you.
There is no group that angered Jesus more than the Pharisees, teachers of the law, and hypocrites and the same would be true today. Those who claim to have answers than can point people to eternal freedom and teach godly truth are misleading others by their words or by their actions. Jesus said it would be better for a millstone to be tied around you neck and you be thrown into the sea than cause little ones who are open to Jesus be turned away.
Pastor Dale
Monday, November 10, 2008
Trial John 18:12-14
Sermon Nugget Mon Nov 10
Theme: The Trial
Verses- John 18:12-14 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people.(NIV)
Religious Leaders
Robert M. Kachur wrote an article on “Why I’m not a Christian” in HIS magazine. He went out on three different universities asking that question. The answers were interesting, but I shouldn’t say they were surprising. They fell into three main categories. First, “I am not a Christian because Christians are hypocrites. People do not practice what they preach. There are too many hypocrites in the church. One person said, “Christians are suppose to care for each other—too often I see people stab each other in the back the moment they walk out of church.” A sophomore identified as an atheist, “I used to be involved with my church, but as I got more and more involved, I found out what was goes on at church and what goes on at home are two different things.”
The second common reason for not being a Christian is that Christian are stuck-up. They are too judgmental to others. They look down on others. They think they are better than the rest. A freshman said, “Many Christians seem to think that anyone who does not exactly agree with them is a heathen and not worth respecting.”
The third common reason many reject Christianity is what is perceived as intolerance. Instead of accepting people of all faiths they are narrow-minded thinking theirs is the only correct one. One man verbalized it “It seems that a loving God would not exclude more than half of the world to Hell just because they didn’t accept Jesus.” Or another, “You’ve got to be nuts to go through life believing that this is the only way to heaven.” What about all the other good people?
But as we look at the passion of Jesus Christ one of the scenes that makes people angry is the scene where the religious ruling body is condemning Jesus to death. The trail of Christ is a farce and full of hypocrisy. It was designed by the religious leaders of that day to begin with. Their main struggle was to keep people following them instead of Jesus.
Last week we looked at the arrest of Christ, and this week I want to look at the trial of Christ. If we combine the records from all four Gospels you will understand that Jesus had at least 5, maybe 7, times to stand before His judges. He had the trial before Annas, the trial before Caiaphas the ruling High Priest, another trial before the Sanhedrin. Then they take him before Pilate and who sends him off to Herod and returns him again for a sixth time before some leadership as he stands again before Pilate. Some even say Pilate had three parts of his trials, first to listen to his crimes, secondly, letting the people chose who should be released in honor of the Passover; The people picked Barabbas, and so he had Jesus flogged to satisfy the crowd, but in the end the last meeting was when Pilate condemned him to be crucified.
This week I am focusing on the sham of the trials of Jesus.
Leadership results in different ways. Some are born into the position like many Kings. Others are elected as we experienced this week in the United States. Some win their leadership in countries by sheer power or military might, as in Cuba. Some are promoted by friends and relatives who have power, as in the new President’s chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel. Others earn leadership by their achievements as in the sports world.
But the leadership that we see in Scripture is either by Gods anointed, or man’s decisions. This week we will see man made religious leaders who felt like they succeeded in what they wanted to accomplish, while next week we will look at Peter, who was appointed by God and felt like a failure in his coming up short. As we read the passion story one slowly becomes aware there is only one true leader in spite of what we think.
Pastor Dale
Theme: The Trial
Verses- John 18:12-14 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people.(NIV)
Religious Leaders
Robert M. Kachur wrote an article on “Why I’m not a Christian” in HIS magazine. He went out on three different universities asking that question. The answers were interesting, but I shouldn’t say they were surprising. They fell into three main categories. First, “I am not a Christian because Christians are hypocrites. People do not practice what they preach. There are too many hypocrites in the church. One person said, “Christians are suppose to care for each other—too often I see people stab each other in the back the moment they walk out of church.” A sophomore identified as an atheist, “I used to be involved with my church, but as I got more and more involved, I found out what was goes on at church and what goes on at home are two different things.”
The second common reason for not being a Christian is that Christian are stuck-up. They are too judgmental to others. They look down on others. They think they are better than the rest. A freshman said, “Many Christians seem to think that anyone who does not exactly agree with them is a heathen and not worth respecting.”
The third common reason many reject Christianity is what is perceived as intolerance. Instead of accepting people of all faiths they are narrow-minded thinking theirs is the only correct one. One man verbalized it “It seems that a loving God would not exclude more than half of the world to Hell just because they didn’t accept Jesus.” Or another, “You’ve got to be nuts to go through life believing that this is the only way to heaven.” What about all the other good people?
But as we look at the passion of Jesus Christ one of the scenes that makes people angry is the scene where the religious ruling body is condemning Jesus to death. The trail of Christ is a farce and full of hypocrisy. It was designed by the religious leaders of that day to begin with. Their main struggle was to keep people following them instead of Jesus.
Last week we looked at the arrest of Christ, and this week I want to look at the trial of Christ. If we combine the records from all four Gospels you will understand that Jesus had at least 5, maybe 7, times to stand before His judges. He had the trial before Annas, the trial before Caiaphas the ruling High Priest, another trial before the Sanhedrin. Then they take him before Pilate and who sends him off to Herod and returns him again for a sixth time before some leadership as he stands again before Pilate. Some even say Pilate had three parts of his trials, first to listen to his crimes, secondly, letting the people chose who should be released in honor of the Passover; The people picked Barabbas, and so he had Jesus flogged to satisfy the crowd, but in the end the last meeting was when Pilate condemned him to be crucified.
This week I am focusing on the sham of the trials of Jesus.
Leadership results in different ways. Some are born into the position like many Kings. Others are elected as we experienced this week in the United States. Some win their leadership in countries by sheer power or military might, as in Cuba. Some are promoted by friends and relatives who have power, as in the new President’s chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel. Others earn leadership by their achievements as in the sports world.
But the leadership that we see in Scripture is either by Gods anointed, or man’s decisions. This week we will see man made religious leaders who felt like they succeeded in what they wanted to accomplish, while next week we will look at Peter, who was appointed by God and felt like a failure in his coming up short. As we read the passion story one slowly becomes aware there is only one true leader in spite of what we think.
Pastor Dale
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