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“Rejected” the Rejection of Jesus Christ Mark 15:1-15 Intro: A) The

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“Rejected” the Rejection of Jesus Christ Mark 15:1-15 Intro: A) The 2) You can see the deep malice the Jews had for Jesus in Luke’s account “Rejected” • Luke 23:1-2 “And the whole The Rejection of Jesus Christ multitude of them arose, and led Mark 15:1-15 him unto Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this Intro: fellow perverting the nation, and A) The last Sunday morning service we forbidding to give tribute to had meeting together, I preached on Caesar, saying that he himself is Jesus and the temple Christ a King.” 1) So much happens ….. 3) Pilate quickly picks up this is a • In Jerusalem our Lord spoke in “Jewish religion” issue more parables than ever before • Yet the Jews had to twist this into (chapter 12) political charge against Rome • He talks of eschatology and the 4) When Pilate asked …. “are you King end of time (chapter 13) of the Jews?” ….. • Ultimately, Jesus is betrayed, • Jesus gives a strange answer captured and forsaken • He says ….. “It is you who say so” 2) The week before “resurrection • He never gave a “yes” or “no” Sunday” I want to emphasize the 5) Jesus in essence was saying …. “rejection of Jesus Christ” • “I may have claimed to be king of • Our text finds us in judgment hall the Jews, but you know well the • He faces the whole council of the interpretation of my accusers are Sanhedrin putting on a claim that is not my • He faces Pilate interpretation.” William Barclay • Jesus was telling Pilate He was B) The Jews seek to destroy Him not a political revolutionary 1) The Sanhedrin did not have the • Pilate knew, but the Jewish power to inflict the death penalty authorities continued to pile on • Roman authorities had to impose charges it C) Jesus begins to answer with silence • Jesus knew there would and could “Silence can say so much” never be a bridge built between Him and the Jewish leaders 1) There is the silence of wondering • The lines of communication were admiration over • We sometimes greet wonder with • The cowardice and political thunderous applause ambitions of Pilate were obvious • But there are times when hushed • So, Jesus was silent silence is more appropriate when applause in inappropriate D) So, our text mirrors the soul of • Times when no words can be mankind that rejects who Jesus is…. found 1) They rejected Him! 2) There is the silence of contempt 2) Let’s look at this rejection! • There is a silence which says …. “you are not worth answering” I. The Priest Rejected Jesus as King 3) There is the silence of fear Mark 15:1 “And straightway in the • The cowardice of their soul may morning the chief priests held a stop them consultation with the elders and scribes • “You have the right to remain and the whole council, and bound silent” Jesus, and carried him away, and 4) There is the silence of the heart that delivered him to Pilate.” is hurt A) The priests were eager to punish Him • People that have been wounded 1) (Vs.1) “Straightway” in the morning and refuse to engage the chief priest held a consultation • When you think of Peter and his • The morning refers to the “break inner disciples dispersing, one of day” might think like this • As the sun is coming up, they are there to question Jesus 2) The synoptic gospels keep us from 5) But there is the silence of tragedy wondering their question • There is nothing to be said … • Luke 22:66-71 “And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the “And they began to accuse him, scribes came together, and led saying, We found this fellow him into their council, saying, Art perverting the nation, and thou the Christ? tell us. And he forbidding to give tribute to said unto them, If I tell you, ye will Caesar, saying that he himself is not believe: And if I also ask you, Christ a King.” ye will not answer me, nor let me • Even today – man’s religion has go. Hereafter shall the Son of man no place for Jesus Christ our King sit on the right hand of the power 3) Religion is not what saves …. of God. Then said they all, Art • Not giving thou then the Son of God? And he • Not good works said unto them, Ye say that I am. • Not baptism And they said, What need we any • Not church attendance further witness? for we ourselves • Only Jesus has the power to save have heard of his own mouth.” your soul! B) The priests were limited in their II. Pilate Rejected Jesus as King (vs.2) power “Mark 15:2 “And Pilate asked him, Art 1) Israel was under Roman rule thou the King of the Jews? And he • Rome allowed them a great answering said unto them, Thou sayest measure of freedom it.” • They could try cases and A) The answer was different than to the pronounce sentences priest • But they could not sentence death 1) He left no room for doubt who He was with the high priest • Luke’s account verifies this 2) But when He sees Pilate He says …. 2) When Jews came before Pilate they “thou sayeth it” could not accuse Him of blaspheme • Pilate would never intervene with (Three possible interpretations) the Jewish religious argument • First – you have that right • Luke 23:2 shows their lie …. • Second – That is for you to decide • Third – “I’m King of the Jews, but 2) Jesus has shown the Jews who He not as you would understand. My was.. kingdom is not of this world, my • Matthew 11:4-6 “Jesus answered authority comes from above.” and said unto them, Go and shew 3) John’s account helps understand this John again those things which ye better …. do hear and see: The blind receive • John 18:33-36 “Then Pilate their sight, and the lame walk, the entered into the judgment hall lepers are cleansed, and the deaf again, and called Jesus, and said hear, the dead are raised up, and unto him, Art thou the King of the the poor have the gospel Jews? Jesus answered him, preached to them. And blessed is Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or he, whosoever shall not be did others tell it thee of me? Pilate offended in me.” answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own • Fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy in nation and the chief priests have Isaiah 35:4-6 delivered thee unto me: what hast 3) What we know about Pilate …. thou done? Jesus answered, My • Governor of Palestine 26-36 AD kingdom is not of this world: if my • Historical accounts record him as kingdom were of this world, then incompetent and heavy handed would my servants fight, that I • Josephus records Him responsible should not be delivered to the for much of Palestine Jews: but now is my kingdom not • The Jews “made up” accusations from hence. against Jesus and Pilate knew it • We can see the third option is • Jesus stood before Him without better! saying a word B) Why was the answer different? C) Path of Jesus when captured 1) Pilate as a Gentile would not 1) He tells the chief priest exactly who understand who Jesus was He is • As a Gentile he had not been 2) He tells Pilate “thou sayeth it” looking for the Messiah 3) He goes to Herod and answers not a • He had not witnessed the miracles word • He couldn’t understand Jesus as 4) He is returned to Pilate the fulfillment of all prophecies 5) Pilate ignored what he knew was truth • Turns His back on Jesus 2) Today the majority reject this • Permits an innocent man to be truth …. crucified • I want to be counted with the *He can wash his hands all he ones awaiting His return! likes – but he rejected Jesus! III. Will You Reject Him as Your King? Sources: A) You can’t wash your hands from a 1) The Gospel of Mark, William decision Barclay 1) To put off a decision is a decision! 2) The Gospel of Mark, Volume 2) Pilate examined Jesus …. 4:14-16:20 J. D. Jones • He was convinced He was 3) The Sermon Notebook: New innocent Testament, Alan Carr • He beat Him and thought this would satisfy those Jews B) It cannot be a frivolous decision 1) One week earlier …. • The same Jews were celebrating His entrance and crying Hosanna! Conclusion: A) The week before Easter – we need to know the majority rejected Jesus 1) The same is true today! B) Yet we know He would resurrect in three days 1) Think about today …. • I believe He is alive today! • I believe He is coming again! .
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