GOD IN THE HANDS OF ANGRY SINNERS

The Gospel of Mark #49

Pastor Dennis Clanton

Woodland Church

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

(Mark 14:53–65, NLT) “They took Jesus to the high priest’s home where the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law had gathered. Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and went right into the high priest’s courtyard. There he sat with the guards, warming himself by the fire. Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find evidence against Jesus, so they could put him to death. But they couldn’t find any. Many false witnesses spoke against him, but they contradicted each other. Finally, some men stood up and gave this false testimony: “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this Temple made with human hands, and in three days I will build another, made without human hands.’ ” But even then they didn’t get their stories straight! Then the high priest stood up before the others and asked Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus said, “I Am. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?” “Guilty!” they all cried. “He deserves to die!” Then some of them began to spit at him, and they blindfolded him and beat him with their fists. “Prophesy to us,” they jeered. And the guards slapped him as they took him away.”

·  No criminal trial could be started at night.

·  The Jewish council could not initiate charges but could only consider charges brought by an outside party.

· The initial proceedings took place at the high priest’s home and not in the temple as prescribed.

· Jesus was tried without a defense counsel.

· The defendant was supposed to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

· He could not be convicted based on testimony against himself.

· Conviction required the testimony of at least two reliable witnesses, whose testimony had to agree. They had to affirm that their testimony was true based on direct experience, not hearsay or presumption. They had to identify the precise time and location of the event about which they testified.

· False witnesses were subject to the same penalty that the accused would suffer if convicted.

· In capital cases, the death sentence could not be carried out until the third day after it was given, and in the intervening time, the members of the council were to fast. This meant that the trial could not be convened during a feast, such as Passover.

· A pronouncement of guilt by the high priest was contrary to the normal order, which should have started with the least senior members.

· If a council voted unanimously for conviction in a capital case, the accused was set free, because the necessary element of mercy was presumed to be lacking.

1. Judging Jesus.

(Mark 14:64, NLT) “What is your verdict?” “Guilty!” they all cried. “He deserves to die!”

(Mark 14:65, NLT) “Then some of them began to spit at him, and they blindfolded him and beat him with their fists. “Prophesy to us,” they jeered. And the guards slapped him as they took him away.”

2. Jesus is the Judge.

(Mark 14:61–62, NLT) “Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus said, “I Am. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

a. The ideal has become real.

b. I become a passionate follower of Christ, or I turn away from Him.

3. Jesus is being judged in my place.

(Mark 14:63, NLT) “Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Why do we need other witnesses?”

(Exodus 17:6–7, NLT) “I will stand before you on the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come gushing out. Then the people will be able to drink.” So Moses struck the rock as he was told, and water gushed out as the elders looked on. Moses named the place Massah (which means “test”) and Meribah (which means “arguing”) because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord here with us or not?”

a. God is charged.

b. The trial.

c. The rod was the symbol of justice.

(Exodus 17:5, NKJV) “Take in your hand your rod ….”

d. Sin is putting myself in the place of God.

e. Salvation is God putting himself in my place.

f. Jesus as the Judge means there is hope for the world.

GROWTHWORK

1. Do not judge.

2. Forgive those who wrong me.

3. Stop judging myself all the time.

(1 Corinthians 4:3–5, NIV) “I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.”

4. Jesus suffers for and with us.

5. Look with compassion at those who are suffering.