Sermon Nuggets Fri Nov 28
Theme: Mockery
Verses John 19:13-16
13 When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge's seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha).
14 It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour. "Here is your king," Pilate said to the Jews.
15 But they shouted, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!" "Shall I crucify your king?" Pilate asked. "We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered.
16 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus.
Hysteria 13-16
Mocking grows. It moved from resentments, to empowerment, to humliation, to humor, to hatred, and now hysteria. Sometimes we witness crowd hysteria. It seems that on the news we see people so emotionally worked up you cannot talk sense to them. It seems with the right instigation people can be lead one way at one time and the opposite another. During riots people get caught up in the mob presence and do things they might not do normally.
Part of this reaction is witnessed where it doesn’t make any difference anymore. The crowd wanted Jesus dead. Hysteria set in.
Now I cannot help but think the evil behind all this is revealed when we understand the spiritual conflict that goes on between God and Satan. We cannot talk about Christ suffering without relating it to the Spiritual conflict of Heaven and Hell. This is the fury of Satan bruising his heel as prophesied in Genesis. Satan enslaved the minds of the people to hysteria, increasing the fear of Pilate to the point of merciless treatment. Yet when given the choice of saving his position or doing what is right, Pilate choose his job.
The suffering was all preplanned. It was foretold that the Messiah would be betrayed by Judas. (Ps 41) and be rejected and scorned by his own people (Is 53:3). Specific prophecies include the use of false witnesses (Ps 35:11) Christ’s silence before his accusers (Is 53:7) His beatings (Is 50:6) His being offered gall and vinegar to dink (Ps 69:11) His crucified with thieves (Is 53:12) His being pieced with a spear (Zech 12:10) And his burial in the tomb of a rich man (Is 53:9)
But how can all these people shout we have no king but Caesar? They actually were rejecting the Kingship of God. They would have normally been incensed with the rule of Caesar, but they were picking their ruler of this world over the rule of God in their lives. They hated Caesar but they hated Jesus more. They would not have Jesus rule over them and if that meant his death, then so be it. That’s why Jesus could compare sins and say one is worse than the other. Outward rebellion is carrying worse consequence that ignorance but both are held accountable before the greatest of Judges.
I couldn’t help but look at the frenzied crowds in Iraq. Some of the images of what is must have been like before Pilate came to my mind as people clenched their fists and shook them in the air with of shouts that make them hoarse, “Crucify, Crucify Him, and Satan thinks he is succeeding.
He was willing to take all those sins and place them upon himself that we may be saved.
Pastor Dale
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Hatred John 19:6-11
Sermon nuggets Thus Nov 27 (Happy Thanksgiving)
Theme Mockery
Verses John 19:6-11 As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, "Crucify! Crucify!" But Pilate answered, "You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him."
7 The Jews insisted, "We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God."
8 When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. "Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer.
10 "Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"
11 Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."
Hatred
As we listen tot he news of the bombing and shootings in Mumbai (Bombay), we see hatred against the West and against Christians arise in our world. Hatred against followers of Jesus is nothing new. But this Thanksgiving, we rest in the hope that is ours based on freedom offered in Christ. The Pilgrims came for religious freedom never so apparent as in world events that want to force people to their ideologies.
When we read the various Gospel accounts we read first in Mat 27 the crowd and chief priest of the people accused Jesus of destroying the Jewish temple. That would be reason enough they would think that Pilate would be concerned. That didn’t work so they accused Jesus falsely of rebellion and then of perverting the nation. That didn’t work. So they came up with the accusation of Jesus forbidding Jews to pay taxes. That was a lie. Jesus said publicly and had witnesses to prove it. “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar and unto God the things that are God’s.”
He was accused of stirring up the people and lastly making himself to be a king. Pilate examined him and discussed those things and others things with him and for the third times in John’s Gospel declares Jesus innocent of any Roman crime. But that would not suffice. According to our law he must die because he claimed to be the Son of God and that is blasphemy. That is one charge that couldn’t be denied. Jesus did claim to be the Son of God. Either that was true or false or he was crazy. Jesus did claim to be one with God. Jesus did say that you have seen me you have seen the Father. Jesus did claim deity for he was deity. That accusation stuck.
When you are in sin and chose to remain in sin you do not want God around. When all the people were gathering around to see this one called the Christ, they lined up roads going into Jerusalem and when he passed by on a donkey they shouted “Hosanna in the Highest. They were praising Him and the officials were threatened. They knew that when Jesus pointed out their hypocrisy and thievery in the temple and injustice, and corruption that they must do something. They could have chosen to repent and turn to God but that would admit wrong doing. People cannot admit wrong doing very well. Isn’t it much better to cover up than face it? Most think so. So hatred grows. Hatred against righteousness and sinlessness of Jesus. They did not want Him around to bother them and make them feel guilty and point out to other people their hypocrisy and hatred builds.
The natural man hates God’s authority in their life. They hate holiness, and will do anything rather than allow the light of Christ to penetrate his own deep darkness.
There are some who publically oppose Jesus today in the US. Certainly, we see the hatred as exhibited by extreme Moslems. Our holiday traditions seem to be the times when alert raises from yellow to orange if not red in NYC. We see the hatred of God’s word as extreme homosexual agenda sought to disrupt services and act out as happened this month in Michigan. But I am afraid most today just ignore him, neglect their decision of what to do with Christ. The public media and education just ignore Jesus and hope he goes away. They make it illegal to pray to him in public to even acknowledge that he had anything to do with the nation’s strength or unity. They make it so you can’t study the Bible or his teaching. You can study the teaching of anyone else it seems, but not Jesus. You can discuss politics and communism and democracy, you can discuss Karl Marx and Marin Luther King and Malcolm X. Abraham Lincoln and study the speeches of John Kennedy. Find out about the native American religious beliefs, and gain appreciation even of Islam. Find out the beliefs of Mahatma Ghandi, but don’t talk about Jesus or read what he had to say that would be illegal even in a free country in a public school system.
When Pilate was confronted with the claim of deity was now fearful. He was a pagan Roman who believed in a number of gods who would appear in human form. Roman mythology was full of men and gods dealing with one another. Their superstitions were probably heighten in Luke’s Gospel when Pilate’s wife h ad a dream about Jesus and told Pilate not to have anything to do with him for he is a just and innocent man. They took dreams more seriously that we might.
Jesus didn’t have to speak. He knew Pilate’s heart. He knew that Pilate was not really interested in following Him and believing in Him. He said nothing. Isn’t that a sad thing? The silence of God is awful. There is truth in the fact that there are times when God will no longer speak to someone. It is scary but true that some people continue to harden their hearts against the Lord and against the Holy Spirit speaking to them so often they tune him out until he no longer speaks. He gives up.
The Bible tells us that God raises and disposes of Kings at his will. Hatred by the officials manipulated the people to apply pressure to overrule Pilate’s decision. But Love by God overruled even the hatred and is offered to all who believe.
Pastor Dale
Theme Mockery
Verses John 19:6-11 As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, "Crucify! Crucify!" But Pilate answered, "You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him."
7 The Jews insisted, "We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God."
8 When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. "Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer.
10 "Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"
11 Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."
Hatred
As we listen tot he news of the bombing and shootings in Mumbai (Bombay), we see hatred against the West and against Christians arise in our world. Hatred against followers of Jesus is nothing new. But this Thanksgiving, we rest in the hope that is ours based on freedom offered in Christ. The Pilgrims came for religious freedom never so apparent as in world events that want to force people to their ideologies.
When we read the various Gospel accounts we read first in Mat 27 the crowd and chief priest of the people accused Jesus of destroying the Jewish temple. That would be reason enough they would think that Pilate would be concerned. That didn’t work so they accused Jesus falsely of rebellion and then of perverting the nation. That didn’t work. So they came up with the accusation of Jesus forbidding Jews to pay taxes. That was a lie. Jesus said publicly and had witnesses to prove it. “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar and unto God the things that are God’s.”
He was accused of stirring up the people and lastly making himself to be a king. Pilate examined him and discussed those things and others things with him and for the third times in John’s Gospel declares Jesus innocent of any Roman crime. But that would not suffice. According to our law he must die because he claimed to be the Son of God and that is blasphemy. That is one charge that couldn’t be denied. Jesus did claim to be the Son of God. Either that was true or false or he was crazy. Jesus did claim to be one with God. Jesus did say that you have seen me you have seen the Father. Jesus did claim deity for he was deity. That accusation stuck.
When you are in sin and chose to remain in sin you do not want God around. When all the people were gathering around to see this one called the Christ, they lined up roads going into Jerusalem and when he passed by on a donkey they shouted “Hosanna in the Highest. They were praising Him and the officials were threatened. They knew that when Jesus pointed out their hypocrisy and thievery in the temple and injustice, and corruption that they must do something. They could have chosen to repent and turn to God but that would admit wrong doing. People cannot admit wrong doing very well. Isn’t it much better to cover up than face it? Most think so. So hatred grows. Hatred against righteousness and sinlessness of Jesus. They did not want Him around to bother them and make them feel guilty and point out to other people their hypocrisy and hatred builds.
The natural man hates God’s authority in their life. They hate holiness, and will do anything rather than allow the light of Christ to penetrate his own deep darkness.
There are some who publically oppose Jesus today in the US. Certainly, we see the hatred as exhibited by extreme Moslems. Our holiday traditions seem to be the times when alert raises from yellow to orange if not red in NYC. We see the hatred of God’s word as extreme homosexual agenda sought to disrupt services and act out as happened this month in Michigan. But I am afraid most today just ignore him, neglect their decision of what to do with Christ. The public media and education just ignore Jesus and hope he goes away. They make it illegal to pray to him in public to even acknowledge that he had anything to do with the nation’s strength or unity. They make it so you can’t study the Bible or his teaching. You can study the teaching of anyone else it seems, but not Jesus. You can discuss politics and communism and democracy, you can discuss Karl Marx and Marin Luther King and Malcolm X. Abraham Lincoln and study the speeches of John Kennedy. Find out about the native American religious beliefs, and gain appreciation even of Islam. Find out the beliefs of Mahatma Ghandi, but don’t talk about Jesus or read what he had to say that would be illegal even in a free country in a public school system.
When Pilate was confronted with the claim of deity was now fearful. He was a pagan Roman who believed in a number of gods who would appear in human form. Roman mythology was full of men and gods dealing with one another. Their superstitions were probably heighten in Luke’s Gospel when Pilate’s wife h ad a dream about Jesus and told Pilate not to have anything to do with him for he is a just and innocent man. They took dreams more seriously that we might.
Jesus didn’t have to speak. He knew Pilate’s heart. He knew that Pilate was not really interested in following Him and believing in Him. He said nothing. Isn’t that a sad thing? The silence of God is awful. There is truth in the fact that there are times when God will no longer speak to someone. It is scary but true that some people continue to harden their hearts against the Lord and against the Holy Spirit speaking to them so often they tune him out until he no longer speaks. He gives up.
The Bible tells us that God raises and disposes of Kings at his will. Hatred by the officials manipulated the people to apply pressure to overrule Pilate’s decision. But Love by God overruled even the hatred and is offered to all who believe.
Pastor Dale
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Humor John 19:3-5
Sermon nuggets Weds Nov 26
Theme- Mockery
Verses John 19: 3-5 “and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in the face.
4 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, "Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him."
5 When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!"(NIV)
Humor
Humor, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Much of mocking is done for the sake of humor. It is to get other people to laugh at someone else's expense. People find different things to laugh over. Putting down others in some psychological way may make some feel more important. I think the thing that late night commedians find humorous in mocking leaders is that underlying sense of bring them down, not only to "our level" but below our level to make us feel superior.
So these Roman soldiers feel hostle toward the Jews. They feel they are the superior race. They want to make fun of the weakness of Jews and rulers, and leaders. If Jesus is seen by many people to be one worthly of respect, it will be their delight to humor themselves by brining him down in humiliaiton. They are private soldiers who are suppose to "honor" their superiors. They are now in power momentarily by abusing him. They do so at Christ's expense for their own humor. They laugh at how He looks. They play act by paying Him mock homage. They are vulgar no doubt in their comments to Him, as He stands their naked and bleeding, were really enjoying this torture, and took every opportunity to degrade, deface, and down Him.
I think Mel Gibson got that part right in his visual portrayal in his movie, “The Passions of Christ.” except it was appropriate for viewing to have a loin cloth around him, but he probably was as the prophecies say, naked.
It was a horrible torture, but they were not done, for they continued to have fun and making sport of Jesus. Mockingly they bowed down says, “Hail King of the Jews and kept up the blows with fists and rods. It isn’t enough but other scriptures tell us that the crowd spit upon him and laughed and ridiculed our Savior.
The Romans were also mocking Jesus because he was a Jew. They were prejudiced. They didn’t like living there among the Jews and since he was being tried for being a King of the Jews this was a chance to uncover their contempt.
The sin of mocking is identified when we show contempt of other races or religions. There are differences, but the them and us mentality is identified here as Jesus is taking the brunt of this sin too. Any part that we have in making fun of others because of nationality, education, language or color involves us in mockery due to prejudice. People do not like to be laughed at and Jesus knew what it meant to be laughed at and cruelly treated just because of his race.
We understand some mocking that came from those of his own race came from the sin of jealousy. Jealousy results in trying to humiliate another because we don’t like their success, attention, or accomplishment, or property. It is trying to put down other in order to somehow elevate ourselves. We see this in the leaders of the people. Jesus made them fell guilty because their hypocrisy was also being exposed. People don’t like to feel guilty they can either get rid of guilt by finding forgiveness in Christ or attack those who make them feel guilty.
I am amazed that Jesus would not only humble himself and take on the form of a human, but would humble himself by allowing others to spit on him, laugh at him and beat him mercilessly.
There is an old Spiritual that is sung this time of the year. “Were you there when they Crucified my Lord? The answer I’m sorry to say Yes. I was there in the mockery and in the humiliation. Perhaps not so much in the words and actions, but in prejudice, jealousy, indifference, in mocking others, and making fun of them that are represented there. If you been made fun of and been the brunt of cruel joke and laughter- Then remember Jesus understands. He bore humiliation. There was lots of pride displayed thinking they were better and even more powerful than Christ. But knowing the truth Jesus kept silent and went through this that we might be saved.
Pilate shows him off to the crowds by saying “Here is the man, Behold him, See what I have done to him. If the people could see this it would satisfy their desire to have him severely punished. It would be enough.
The crowd was not satisfied. They did not want only to see blood they wanted Jesus death. Yes, all of this was prophesied; all of this was pre-planned. All of this was indeed in God’s hands. But let’s not dismiss the actions or miss man’s part in the crucifixion of Christ. He was humiliated for our sins and he was hated, not just rejected. not just ignored, but hated by many. The Jewish leaders could take it no more when they heard Jesus was innocent. They saw blood but that was not enough.
It wasn’t enough to see him humiliated; they wanted to see him dead.
This Thanksgiving I am reminded He was willing to be humiliated, shamed, and laughed at for my salvation.
Pastor Dale
Theme- Mockery
Verses John 19: 3-5 “and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in the face.
4 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, "Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him."
5 When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!"(NIV)
Humor
Humor, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Much of mocking is done for the sake of humor. It is to get other people to laugh at someone else's expense. People find different things to laugh over. Putting down others in some psychological way may make some feel more important. I think the thing that late night commedians find humorous in mocking leaders is that underlying sense of bring them down, not only to "our level" but below our level to make us feel superior.
So these Roman soldiers feel hostle toward the Jews. They feel they are the superior race. They want to make fun of the weakness of Jews and rulers, and leaders. If Jesus is seen by many people to be one worthly of respect, it will be their delight to humor themselves by brining him down in humiliaiton. They are private soldiers who are suppose to "honor" their superiors. They are now in power momentarily by abusing him. They do so at Christ's expense for their own humor. They laugh at how He looks. They play act by paying Him mock homage. They are vulgar no doubt in their comments to Him, as He stands their naked and bleeding, were really enjoying this torture, and took every opportunity to degrade, deface, and down Him.
I think Mel Gibson got that part right in his visual portrayal in his movie, “The Passions of Christ.” except it was appropriate for viewing to have a loin cloth around him, but he probably was as the prophecies say, naked.
It was a horrible torture, but they were not done, for they continued to have fun and making sport of Jesus. Mockingly they bowed down says, “Hail King of the Jews and kept up the blows with fists and rods. It isn’t enough but other scriptures tell us that the crowd spit upon him and laughed and ridiculed our Savior.
The Romans were also mocking Jesus because he was a Jew. They were prejudiced. They didn’t like living there among the Jews and since he was being tried for being a King of the Jews this was a chance to uncover their contempt.
The sin of mocking is identified when we show contempt of other races or religions. There are differences, but the them and us mentality is identified here as Jesus is taking the brunt of this sin too. Any part that we have in making fun of others because of nationality, education, language or color involves us in mockery due to prejudice. People do not like to be laughed at and Jesus knew what it meant to be laughed at and cruelly treated just because of his race.
We understand some mocking that came from those of his own race came from the sin of jealousy. Jealousy results in trying to humiliate another because we don’t like their success, attention, or accomplishment, or property. It is trying to put down other in order to somehow elevate ourselves. We see this in the leaders of the people. Jesus made them fell guilty because their hypocrisy was also being exposed. People don’t like to feel guilty they can either get rid of guilt by finding forgiveness in Christ or attack those who make them feel guilty.
I am amazed that Jesus would not only humble himself and take on the form of a human, but would humble himself by allowing others to spit on him, laugh at him and beat him mercilessly.
There is an old Spiritual that is sung this time of the year. “Were you there when they Crucified my Lord? The answer I’m sorry to say Yes. I was there in the mockery and in the humiliation. Perhaps not so much in the words and actions, but in prejudice, jealousy, indifference, in mocking others, and making fun of them that are represented there. If you been made fun of and been the brunt of cruel joke and laughter- Then remember Jesus understands. He bore humiliation. There was lots of pride displayed thinking they were better and even more powerful than Christ. But knowing the truth Jesus kept silent and went through this that we might be saved.
Pilate shows him off to the crowds by saying “Here is the man, Behold him, See what I have done to him. If the people could see this it would satisfy their desire to have him severely punished. It would be enough.
The crowd was not satisfied. They did not want only to see blood they wanted Jesus death. Yes, all of this was prophesied; all of this was pre-planned. All of this was indeed in God’s hands. But let’s not dismiss the actions or miss man’s part in the crucifixion of Christ. He was humiliated for our sins and he was hated, not just rejected. not just ignored, but hated by many. The Jewish leaders could take it no more when they heard Jesus was innocent. They saw blood but that was not enough.
It wasn’t enough to see him humiliated; they wanted to see him dead.
This Thanksgiving I am reminded He was willing to be humiliated, shamed, and laughed at for my salvation.
Pastor Dale
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Humiliation John 19:1-5
Sermon nuggets Tues Nov 25
Theme- Mockery
Verses- John 19:1-5
1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in the face.
4 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, "Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him."
5 When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!"(NIV)
Humiliation.
We realized last week that Pilate declared Jesus not guilty. We talked about the official roman trial that was a farce. Pilate knew that he was innocent of the indictment and tried to get out of making a decision. First he indicated that he would release a prisoner, either this Jesus or the worse criminal in the jail. The crowed called his bluff and chose Barabbas. It doesn’t say so here, but Pilate then tried to send him off to Herod claiming that Jesus wasn’t in his jurisdiction. That didn’t work. Now he had a couple more things to try. He would beat Jesus and let the people see the blood and his willingness to compromise by punishing this innocent man for them. There was no reason for the beating, except to satisfy the people.
Jesus bore our sin more than on the cross you know. He also bore our sin in his suffering. Ish 53:5 “He was bruised for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, by his stripes we are healed. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he opened not his mount.” Al the prophecies point not only to the blood sacrifice on the cross but the sufferings as well as other ways.
The commentaries reveal that scourging was with leather straps with bits of metal or bone tied to the end so when the lash would hit the back it would tear open the flesh. The custom was to have 40 lashes save one That was all they could take before some would die.
John 19:2 says, “And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe.” After the scourging, they did three things: 1. Put a crown of thorns on His head..
And so they also “platted a crown of thorns, and placed it upon His head.” The thorns referred to here are very long, sometimes even 3½ inches in length, piercing the skin and causing blood to run down his face. Thorns are first mentioned in Genesis 3:17-19 “Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife . . . and eaten of the tree which I commanded thee .. cursed is the ground for thy sake, in sorrow . thorns and thistles shall it bring forth . in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat.” So the thorns were a product of the curse that came because of sin.
It seems the meaning of the thorns is for sin, sorrow and sweat. Since thorns are a result of the curse we see Jesus took my curse. "Christ . . . being made a curse for us; for it is written, cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree" (Gal. 3:13). It is the result of sin that thorns came. The thorns were placed on Christ head as a result of our sin. It was for sorrow of man that thorns and thistles came and Jesus is spoke of as the man of sorrows. And the sweat of man’s brow must we work to achieve our sustenance. Work is a blessing of God, but hard work, sweat and toil is a result of the curse. Life is going to be hard and these thorns symbolize this in the mocking of the soldiers upon the head and sweat of the brown of Jesus. 2. Put a reed in His hand. 3. Put a purple robe on Him Now, the word there for “robe” does not denote the long kind of robe, but just a short robe that came over the shoulders, and barely covered the chest. So He was naked from the chest down, bleeding, and suffering. Then they put a reed in His hand as a type of mock scepter - the official staff of a king or ruler, symbolizing authority and power. But a reed, a hollow-stemmed brass was a symbol of weakness. Jesus had even referred to reeds as “shaking in the wind.”
Regardless of the other torture this scene is depicting the mockery of the claim that Jesus is the King of the Jews. This is the way the Romans wanted to make fun of Jesus and his rulership.
The world continues to make fun of Jesus because it does not want to recognize His Lordship. They continue to ridicule our Lord in ways that will be the opposite of honor and in it’s place give Him dishonor.
It was a few years ago that the protest came from many Christians when one “artist” produced Jesus on the cross engulfed in a bottle of urine. Among the worse ways to dishonor Jesus in his tax supported statement.
The amazing part of this for me, is the way in which Jesus humbles himself to humiliating mockery for the sake of dying for these very sins.
Pastor Dale
Theme- Mockery
Verses- John 19:1-5
1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in the face.
4 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, "Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him."
5 When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!"(NIV)
Humiliation.
We realized last week that Pilate declared Jesus not guilty. We talked about the official roman trial that was a farce. Pilate knew that he was innocent of the indictment and tried to get out of making a decision. First he indicated that he would release a prisoner, either this Jesus or the worse criminal in the jail. The crowed called his bluff and chose Barabbas. It doesn’t say so here, but Pilate then tried to send him off to Herod claiming that Jesus wasn’t in his jurisdiction. That didn’t work. Now he had a couple more things to try. He would beat Jesus and let the people see the blood and his willingness to compromise by punishing this innocent man for them. There was no reason for the beating, except to satisfy the people.
Jesus bore our sin more than on the cross you know. He also bore our sin in his suffering. Ish 53:5 “He was bruised for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, by his stripes we are healed. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he opened not his mount.” Al the prophecies point not only to the blood sacrifice on the cross but the sufferings as well as other ways.
The commentaries reveal that scourging was with leather straps with bits of metal or bone tied to the end so when the lash would hit the back it would tear open the flesh. The custom was to have 40 lashes save one That was all they could take before some would die.
John 19:2 says, “And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe.” After the scourging, they did three things: 1. Put a crown of thorns on His head..
And so they also “platted a crown of thorns, and placed it upon His head.” The thorns referred to here are very long, sometimes even 3½ inches in length, piercing the skin and causing blood to run down his face. Thorns are first mentioned in Genesis 3:17-19 “Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife . . . and eaten of the tree which I commanded thee .. cursed is the ground for thy sake, in sorrow . thorns and thistles shall it bring forth . in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat.” So the thorns were a product of the curse that came because of sin.
It seems the meaning of the thorns is for sin, sorrow and sweat. Since thorns are a result of the curse we see Jesus took my curse. "Christ . . . being made a curse for us; for it is written, cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree" (Gal. 3:13). It is the result of sin that thorns came. The thorns were placed on Christ head as a result of our sin. It was for sorrow of man that thorns and thistles came and Jesus is spoke of as the man of sorrows. And the sweat of man’s brow must we work to achieve our sustenance. Work is a blessing of God, but hard work, sweat and toil is a result of the curse. Life is going to be hard and these thorns symbolize this in the mocking of the soldiers upon the head and sweat of the brown of Jesus. 2. Put a reed in His hand. 3. Put a purple robe on Him Now, the word there for “robe” does not denote the long kind of robe, but just a short robe that came over the shoulders, and barely covered the chest. So He was naked from the chest down, bleeding, and suffering. Then they put a reed in His hand as a type of mock scepter - the official staff of a king or ruler, symbolizing authority and power. But a reed, a hollow-stemmed brass was a symbol of weakness. Jesus had even referred to reeds as “shaking in the wind.”
Regardless of the other torture this scene is depicting the mockery of the claim that Jesus is the King of the Jews. This is the way the Romans wanted to make fun of Jesus and his rulership.
The world continues to make fun of Jesus because it does not want to recognize His Lordship. They continue to ridicule our Lord in ways that will be the opposite of honor and in it’s place give Him dishonor.
It was a few years ago that the protest came from many Christians when one “artist” produced Jesus on the cross engulfed in a bottle of urine. Among the worse ways to dishonor Jesus in his tax supported statement.
The amazing part of this for me, is the way in which Jesus humbles himself to humiliating mockery for the sake of dying for these very sins.
Pastor Dale
Monday, November 24, 2008
Mocking John 19:1-16
Sermon nuggets Mon, Nov. 24
Theme- Mockery
Verses- John 19:1-16
Making Fun
As I type this title I realize the only fun that may be gained from most mocking is by the ones who do the mocking and the audience being entertained. It certainly is not fun for the one to be mocked, unless it is done by friends for mutual humor or love.
I still think of the incident when as a 12 year old, my son Bryan pretended to be me in church. I was being mocked, but in a fun way. He tried to tell one of my jokes, and tapped on the microphone to see if it was working. He wandered around the stage and pretended to forget where he was in the “sermon” because he wandered mentally from the subject at hand. I could laugh because it was funny. But it also pointed out some of the characteristics that others could identify and also laugh. I did not feel put down.
Justin, also at a young age, decided at home to pretend he was me when he sang. It was off key and jumping from octave to octave in the middle of phrases. (I try not to sing much in the microphone.)
I laughed at the imitation of Tiny Fey portraying Sarah Palin during the recent political campaign. The looks were remarkably similar. Her accent, although exaggerated, was humorous. Politicians in our society are expected to be mocked.
But when someone is loved by us and that person is mocked, it also becomes an insult, not only to him or her, but to us. When we see someone who is a victim and bullied it also can raise feelings of anger and injustice to the innocent person being mocked. I do not take kindly to smeone who is retarted being mocked. It is not funny to have someone immitate another with a physcial disability. Many people with speech impediments no longer want to talk when others laugh at their expense.
It hurts.
It also bothers me greatly to see God, who is to be revered above all, to be made fun of. I love religious humor but even though I pass on a weekly joke in my blog, it is never about the Lord. He is not to be the subject of ridicule or mocking. When it comes to our Lord any such “fun” is really blasphemy.
When a cartoon characterization was made a couple of years ago of Mohammed, many Muslims rose in anger and even violence at the offense. Yet, Jesus Christ is constantly mocked by our world as well as when he was up for trial prior to his crucifixion.
I was listening to a tape awhile ago by James Dobson. He quoted a letter from a schoolgirl to another. “To Awful Janet. You’re the stinkest girl in the world. I hope you die. But of course, I suppose that is impossible. I have got some ideas: 1 play in the road. 2. cut your throat. 3. drink poison 4. get drunk. 5. Knife yourself. Please do some of these you big, fat girl. We all hate you, you big fat girl. I am praying, ‘ O Lord, please let Janet die. We’re in need of fresh air. Did you hear me, Lord, because if you didn’t we will all die with her here.” From Wanda Jackson.
Such emotional words can carry painful scars long into adulthood. We can say that Wanda Jackson just didn’t know any better. She is only a school girl and her emotions got away from her. Kids can be cruel to other kids.
But whenever I think of the suffering of our Lord, the sin that causes me the most sadness is the mocking He received. It points out clearly in my mind, the depravity of man at his worse. I cannot understand why God did not wipe out the whole human race not at the point of rejection, or hatred, or even murder, but to be laughed at and spit upon, stripped naked, and ridiculed at the hand of those whom he created in the first place.
As we review the events to the cross we talked the arrest in the Garden, and the trial of Christ, and now in the hands of the Romans we see some of the suffering. The Lord suffered physically, emotionally, mentally psychologically all his humanness.
Listen this week to how often people are mocked. Think of your own words and actions that put down other people to make fun of them. How would they feel? Jesus knows how they would feel. Jesus know how you feel when you are object of ridicule, laughter, and humiliation.
Pastor Dale
Theme- Mockery
Verses- John 19:1-16
Making Fun
As I type this title I realize the only fun that may be gained from most mocking is by the ones who do the mocking and the audience being entertained. It certainly is not fun for the one to be mocked, unless it is done by friends for mutual humor or love.
I still think of the incident when as a 12 year old, my son Bryan pretended to be me in church. I was being mocked, but in a fun way. He tried to tell one of my jokes, and tapped on the microphone to see if it was working. He wandered around the stage and pretended to forget where he was in the “sermon” because he wandered mentally from the subject at hand. I could laugh because it was funny. But it also pointed out some of the characteristics that others could identify and also laugh. I did not feel put down.
Justin, also at a young age, decided at home to pretend he was me when he sang. It was off key and jumping from octave to octave in the middle of phrases. (I try not to sing much in the microphone.)
I laughed at the imitation of Tiny Fey portraying Sarah Palin during the recent political campaign. The looks were remarkably similar. Her accent, although exaggerated, was humorous. Politicians in our society are expected to be mocked.
But when someone is loved by us and that person is mocked, it also becomes an insult, not only to him or her, but to us. When we see someone who is a victim and bullied it also can raise feelings of anger and injustice to the innocent person being mocked. I do not take kindly to smeone who is retarted being mocked. It is not funny to have someone immitate another with a physcial disability. Many people with speech impediments no longer want to talk when others laugh at their expense.
It hurts.
It also bothers me greatly to see God, who is to be revered above all, to be made fun of. I love religious humor but even though I pass on a weekly joke in my blog, it is never about the Lord. He is not to be the subject of ridicule or mocking. When it comes to our Lord any such “fun” is really blasphemy.
When a cartoon characterization was made a couple of years ago of Mohammed, many Muslims rose in anger and even violence at the offense. Yet, Jesus Christ is constantly mocked by our world as well as when he was up for trial prior to his crucifixion.
I was listening to a tape awhile ago by James Dobson. He quoted a letter from a schoolgirl to another. “To Awful Janet. You’re the stinkest girl in the world. I hope you die. But of course, I suppose that is impossible. I have got some ideas: 1 play in the road. 2. cut your throat. 3. drink poison 4. get drunk. 5. Knife yourself. Please do some of these you big, fat girl. We all hate you, you big fat girl. I am praying, ‘ O Lord, please let Janet die. We’re in need of fresh air. Did you hear me, Lord, because if you didn’t we will all die with her here.” From Wanda Jackson.
Such emotional words can carry painful scars long into adulthood. We can say that Wanda Jackson just didn’t know any better. She is only a school girl and her emotions got away from her. Kids can be cruel to other kids.
But whenever I think of the suffering of our Lord, the sin that causes me the most sadness is the mocking He received. It points out clearly in my mind, the depravity of man at his worse. I cannot understand why God did not wipe out the whole human race not at the point of rejection, or hatred, or even murder, but to be laughed at and spit upon, stripped naked, and ridiculed at the hand of those whom he created in the first place.
As we review the events to the cross we talked the arrest in the Garden, and the trial of Christ, and now in the hands of the Romans we see some of the suffering. The Lord suffered physically, emotionally, mentally psychologically all his humanness.
Listen this week to how often people are mocked. Think of your own words and actions that put down other people to make fun of them. How would they feel? Jesus knows how they would feel. Jesus know how you feel when you are object of ridicule, laughter, and humiliation.
Pastor Dale
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