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Sealing something as historical “fact” is fairly difficult for most things. We have to rely on what many today might think of as secondary and unreliable reports: eyewitness accounts and other events that are impacted by what happened. Details are always hard to establish. But, if there is one fact of antiquity that is assured, it is this: Jesus of Nazareth was crucified and died. But that bare telling of fact doesn’t help us understand what it all means. What does the death of Jesus mean for us?
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Bullies are nothing new. Many of us have experienced their insults and abuse. Such acts are nothing new, as we see today. Jesus, weakened and eventually crucified, was ripe for such abuse, and his enemies took great pleasure in handing it out. Yet, for all their bluster, and for all the pain they inflict, they speak a startling amount of truth. Today, let us look at how Jesus is mocked, that we might marvel all the more as we anticipate his victory.
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Eksik bölüm mü var?
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In our passage this morning, we encounter a great injustice. We see the trial of Jesus before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. This is the trial that will definitively decide Jesus’ verdict and sentencing. We see three reasons that Jesus was crucified, and behind it all we see that Jesus, though innocent, was convicted so that sinners, though guilty, may be freed.
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History is filled with trials that seemed only to mock justice. Nor is this a feature of some bygone era, less enlightened and more open to the whims of the powerful and elite. We suffer from these very things today. The trial of Jesus is perhaps the most famous example in history of such a show-trial. Today, we get a closer look at Jesus before the Sanhedrin, and Peter before the world, to see how each handled the trial that was before them.
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We talk about sin quite a lot here at Crossway, and for a simple reason: Scripture seems to talk about it a lot. In the end, sin is nothing but a betrayal of God. It is simply acting as though God’s commands and desires for us are not good for us, and that we know better. We betray him as our creator, designer, and as God. This betrayal leads to our death. In our passage, as Jesus steps in for us, this betrayal leads directly to his death. Let us look at three acts of betrayal this morning, so that we might better know how to avoid it.
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Temptations will find us. While it is certainly best to flee from it, there is no way to escape it in this world. What do we do when times of doubt and the allure of sin press hard against us? Jesus was as we are, tempted like us, but without sin. If this is so, and we take it seriously, then watching carefully how he handles his temptation would prove an immense help. Let us see how Jesus faces the most severe temptation anyone has ever faced. When we do, we find that we should:
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The Lord is particular in how he is worshipped and approached. Simply having a good heart will not do, for the Lord is keen to have his people follow his instructions and directions. This instinct is very much true in the Lord’s Supper and the Passover it is based on. Today, as we come to think about Jesus’ institution of the Supper, we are reminded of directions; not in how we take it, but the directions the Supper points toward as we take it.
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We have all wasted money in our lives on something. Sometimes it is just a poorly thought through purchase, or something that we regret. No one does this better than the government, whose stories of waste are legion. Our story today is one that speaks of waste – an almost unthinkable expenditure of perfumed ointment which could no doubt have helped many in need. But Jesus saw great worth in the act, and so ought we today.
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I have only failed two tests in school that I remember. One was an algebra test in 9th grade. The other a Physical Chemistry exam in college. The first was a surprise, the second expected. Neither was pleasant. Being judged and failing never is. In the end, though, these tests were not that important. Most tests aren’t; but there is coming one that will be, though. Jesus will sit on his throne and he will judge between the sheep and the goats. What are the sheep like, that we might be counted in their number?
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Andrew Carnegie was one of the wealthiest men who ever lived. He was industrious, clever, personable, and had great financial sense. But he was far from a self-made man. He was born at the right place, got involved in the right business, and took advantage of the opportunities given to him. We ourselves have been given a great opportunity; the Lord has left us with a great treasure to invest. What will we do with it?
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There is a crater in Turkmenistan that burns constantly. Because of this, it has a very ominous appearance, it has earned the name The Gates of Hell. While that is a bit of an overstatement, the continual burning is more reminiscent of hell than anything here on earth. Things that burn eventually go out. Including torches. The five foolish women in our passage know this, yet fail to act. Are we headed for their fate?
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In 1533, a German preacher promised the New Jerusalem would come in Strasbourg. It didn’t. In 1844, an American farmer promised the return of Christ. He didn’t show. Charles Russell promised Jesus’ return in 1878, 1881, and finally in 1914. All were wrong. Recently, Harold Camping promised it in 1994, 2005, and 2011. Yet, here we are, still awaiting the return. We might be tempted to ask again with the disciples “What is the sign of your coming?” Today, we get to consider Jesus’ own answer.
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When I was a child, I had two great and abiding fears: aliens and Armageddon. While I am no longer afraid of aliens, I am still somewhat afraid of Armageddon. Not the event itself, mind you, but the amount of stress and importance people place in figures and signs and times. Eschatology, or the study of the end of the world, should be filled with hope and good for Christians, yet it can be unnecessarily dividing. Today, we will begin to wade into these waters, as Matthew and Jesus lead us. Yet first, Jesus speaks of the fall of the Temple and the crushing of Jerusalem.
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I use many words when parenting my children. “No!” comes up quite often, as does the sometimes more exuberant “stop!” I have, at times, used the exhortation “whoa!” when trying to calm my children down. I must admit, though, that I don’t think I’ve ever used the word as Jesus does here. The Pharisees and Scribes are in a pitiful state, filled with hypocrisy and self-assurance, they are fit only for hell. But what about us? What are we fit for?
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Controversial opinions are stock and trade of our lives now. The angrier and the crazier the idea, the more clicks it gets, the more money is made, and the more notoriety the talking head gets. But not all controversial opinions are wrong or bad. Jesus, in Matthew 23, will say much that is controversial, both then and now. Taking aim back at those who have sought to trip him up, he takes the Pharisees to task. Yet, we would be foolish to think that he is not also speaking to us. If we are not to be like them, then what ought we do?
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I have a bit of a reputation as a Scrooge when it comes to Christmas, but I truly do love this season. However, as a preacher I find it difficult. There are only so many birth passages, and having preached for well over a decade now, I’ve gone through most of them. Yet, by God’s grace, today we may well have stumbled onto an odd and sneaky Christmas passage. Today let us hear about the unique Lord and Son of David, who has come to save his people.
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The word “goat” was most often used, outside of just describing a grass-feeding animal, as one who was a victim, blamed for something they didn’t do. It has taken on a rather distinct and somewhat opposite meaning now: the greatest of all time. People love to debate things like this; especially at the close of the year rankings and lists are all the rage. Commandments seem like an odd thing to rank, but today we get the definitive list. But what does it mean to love the Lord with all you are, and your neighbor as yourself?
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Today we start our celebration of Advent – of Jesus’ coming into the world. His incarnation as a child led to this very week in his life, his advent into Jerusalem. As we continue our study through Matthew, our text today speaks of the Sadducees as the leadership in Jerusalem continue the questioning of Jesus by asking him about the resurrection; or, rather, by mocking it. But Jesus has an answer for them, and one for us as well.
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Every election we are subject to the same effusive language: This is the most important election ever. None of this language is new, but it is almost as old as our democracy. Yet, soon, we will face an election in our midst that is even more impactful on your daily lives than that for the presidency: the election of our two more elders. As we approach that date, it is good to provide some common answers to questions as you think about their qualifications.
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Everyone loves a good party, and for all the grief the Old Testament gets for being filled with blood and vengeance, the people of Israel were called upon to throw parties often. Celebrations and feasts were a central feature of Israel’s worship of God, which was fitting: the Lord is a joyous God, and that joy that extends naturally to his people. In our passage this morning, Jesus says that the Kingdom is like a party; but a party that not all are excited to attend. What can we take away from that parable?
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