March 25, CH, Jesus faced Injustice

How do you respond to unfair treatment?

1 Peter 2:21 ESV – For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

Six Trials of Jesus

The Trial Before Annas

John 18:12-13 ESV – So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. ¹³ First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.

Does pride ever get you into foolish arguments?

John 18:24 ESV – Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Jesus’ Trials with Caiaphas & the Sanhedrin

Matthew 26:57 ESV – Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered.

Proverbs 21:15 ESV – When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.

Hosea 12:6 ESV – by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.”

Matthew 26:59 ESV – Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death.

Matthew 26:61-63 ESV –“This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” ⁶² And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” ⁶³ But Jesus remained silent.

Matthew 26:63-64 ESV – the High Priest says, And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” ⁶⁴ Jesus said to him, “You have said so.

Matthew 26:65-67 ESV – Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. ⁶⁶ What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.”  ⁶⁷ Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him,

Jesus’ Trial with Pilate

Luke 23:1-2 ESV – Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate.² And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”

Luke 23:5 ESV – But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”

Matthew 27:11-14 ESV – Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” ¹² But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. ¹³ Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” ¹⁴ But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

Jesus’ Trial with Herod

Luke 23:8-11 ESV – When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. ⁹ So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. ¹⁰ The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. ¹¹ And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate.

Jesus’ Trial with Pilate (part 2)

John 18:39-40 ESV – So, Pilate asked the crowd, you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”⁴⁰ They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

 John 19:1-6 ESV – Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe.³ They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” ⁵ So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” ⁶ When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!”

John 19:12-16 ESV – From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” ¹³ So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat…

¹⁵ They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” ¹⁶ So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.

What Jesus’ Example Teaches Us about Responding to Injustice

When Mistreated, Give it Five Minutes

1 Peter 4:15-16 ESV – But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. ¹⁶ Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 

When Mistreated, Rise Above

1 Peter 2:19, 21-23 NKJV – For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.

v.21, For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

²² “Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;

²³ who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously

We Rise Above by Being Gracious

when He was reviled, did not revile in return

John 3:17 ESV – For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.

We Rise Above because We Don’t Suffer Alone

Galatians 6:2 ESV – Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.