Ultimate Injustice
Series: The Gospel Can't Be Contained
April 03, 2022
Frank Foreman
There are many examples in injustice in our world. People taking advantage of others, ignoring normal standards of decency and humanity. This happens for a variety of reasons, but most of them are rooted in wickedness and control of others. ---------- Such was the case of Jesus' "trial" and subsequent sentencing for crimes He, of course, did not commit. But even considering the sham legal process that was used to send him to the cross, the greatest injustice wasn't found in that process. Instead, it occurred long before that and continues to this day. The sinless Savior gave His life on a cross so that we might be forgiven of a multitude of our sins. In that sense, this greatest injustice is disguised as the greatest gift mankind would ever receive: renewed access to eternal life that was lost through our unrighteousness.
Episode Notes
Big Idea: Wicked men falsely condemned the perfect Son of God… Making it the ultimate act of injustice.
1. The illegal arraignment.
(Journal) Mark 14:53-54
John 18:19-24, The high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them; they know what I said.” When He had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how You answer the high priest?” Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike Me?” Annas then sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
2. The illegal testimonies.
(Journal) Mark 14:55-59
Matthew 26:59-61, Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put Him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, “This Man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’”
3. The illegal interrogation.
(Journal) Mark 14:60-61a
Isaiah 53:7, He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.
4. The illegal sentence.
(Journal) Mark 14:61b-65
Luke 23:1-2, Then the whole company of them arose and brought Him before Pilate. 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.”
John 3:16-20, For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because He has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
And this is the judgment: the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the Light and does not come to the Light, lest his works should be exposed.
Next Step: Believe in Jesus… And show evidence by meeting needs and showing mercy.
James 2:17-19, So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
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