His Face Set Like Flint

Kongsvinger Lutheran Church

Subscribe

Download

Share

00

00:10

Welcome to the teaching ministry of Kungsvinger Lutheran Church. Kungsvinger is a beacon for the gospel of Jesus Christ and is located on the plains of northwestern

00:18

Minnesota. We proclaim Christ and him crucified for our sins and salvation by grace through faith alone.

00:25

And now here's a message from Pastor Chris Rosebrook. The Holy Gospel according to St.

00:30

Matthew chapters 26 and 27. When Jesus had finished all these sayings he said to his disciples, you know that after two days the

00:43

Passover is coming and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified. Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest whose name was

00:52

Caiaphas and they plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and to kill him.

00:59

But they said not during the feast lest there be an uproar among the people. Now when

01:05

Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask a very expensive ointment and she poured it on his head as he reclined at the table.

01:16

And when the disciples saw it they were indignant saying why this waste for this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.

01:25

But Jesus aware of this said to them why do you trouble the woman for she has done a beautiful thing for me. You for you always have the poor with you but you will not always have me.

01:35

In pouring this ointment on my body she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly I say to you wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world what she has done will also be told in memory of her.

01:48

Then one of the twelve those whose name was Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests and said what will you give me if I deliver him over to you.

01:59

And they paid him 30 pieces of silver and from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.

02:07

Now on the first day of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus saying where will you have us prepare for you to eat the

02:17

Passover. He said go into the city to a certain man and say to him the teacher says my time is at hand

02:24

I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples. And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and they prepared the

02:31

Passover. When it was evening he reclined at table with the twelve and as they were eating he said truly

02:38

I say to you one of you will betray me. And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another is it

02:45

I Lord. He answered he who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him but woe to that man by whom the

02:55

Son of Man is betrayed. It would have been better for that man if he had not been born. Judas who would betray him answered is it

03:02

I Rabbi. And he said to him you have said so. Now as they were eating

03:08

Jesus took bread and after blessing it he broke it and gave it to the disciples and said take eat this is my body.

03:18

They took a cup when he had given thanks and he gave it to them saying drink of it all of you. For this is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

03:28

I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new with you in my father's kingdom.

03:36

And when they had sung a hymn they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them you will all fall away because of me this night for it is written

03:46

I will strike the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. But after I am raised up I will go before you to Galilee.

03:55

Peter answered him though they all fall away because of you I will never fall away. Jesus said to him truly

04:02

I tell you this very night before the rooster crows you will deny me three times.

04:08

Peter said to him even if I must die with you I will not deny you. And all the disciples said the same.

04:15

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane and he said to the disciples sit here while I go over there and pray.

04:23

And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee he began to be sorrowful and troubled. And then he said to them my soul is very sorrowful even to death remain here and watch with me.

04:35

And going a little farther he fell on his face and he prayed my father if it be possible let this cup pass from me nevertheless not as I will but as you will.

04:48

And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping and he said to Peter so could you not watch with me one hour?

04:54

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak.

05:01

Again for the second time he went away and prayed my father if this cannot pass unless I drink it your will be done.

05:09

And again he came and found them sleeping for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again he went away and prayed for the third time saying the same words again.

05:17

And then he came to the disciples and said sleep and take your rest later on see the hour is at hand the

05:23

Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise let us be going see my betrayer is at hand.

05:31

And while he was still speaking Judas came one of the twelve with him a great crowd with swords and clubs from the chief priests and the elders of the people.

05:40

Now the betrayer had given them a sign saying the one I will kiss is the man seize him.

05:46

And he came up to Jesus at once and said greetings rabbi and he kissed him. Jesus said to him friend do what you came to do.

05:55

Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and they seized him. Behold one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.

06:08

Then Jesus said to him put your sword back into its place for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.

06:15

Do you think that I cannot appeal to my father and he will at once send more than 12 legions of angels.

06:21

But how then should the scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so. At that hour

06:27

Jesus said to the crowds have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to capture me.

06:34

Day after day I sat in the temple teaching and you did not seize me. But all of this has taken place that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.

06:43

And then all the disciples left him and fled. Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest where the scripture with the scribes and the elders had gathered.

06:55

And Peter was following him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end.

07:02

Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death.

07:10

But they found none. Though many false witnesses came forward at last two came forward and said this man said

07:17

I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days. And the high priest stood up and said have you no answer to make what is this that these men testify against you.

07:30

But Jesus remained silent and the high priest said him I adjure you by the Living God tell us if you are the

07:36

Christ the Son of God. Jesus said to him you have said so.

07:42

But I tell you from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the power and coming on the clouds of heaven.

07:49

Then the high priest tore his robes and said he has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need?

07:57

You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment? They answered he deserves death.

08:05

Then they spit in his face and struck him. Some slapped him saying prophesy to us you

08:10

Christ who is it that struck you? Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard and the servant girl came to him and said you also were with Jesus the

08:20

Galilean but he denied it before them all saying I don't know what you mean. And when he went out to the entrance another servant girl saw him and she said to the bystanders this man was with Jesus of Nazareth and again he denied it with an oath.

08:34

I don't know the man. After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter certainly you too are one of them for your accent betrays you.

08:45

And then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear I do not know the man.

08:51

And immediately the rooster crowed and Peter remembered the saying of Jesus before the rooster crows you will deny me three times.

08:58

And he went out and he wept bitterly. When morning came all of the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death and they bound him and led him away and they delivered him over to Pilate the governor.

09:15

Then when Judas his betrayer saw that Jesus was condemned he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders saying

09:24

I have sinned by betraying innocent blood. They said what is that to us see to it yourself and throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple he departed it and went and hanged himself.

09:36

The chief priest taking the pieces of silver said it is not lawful to put them into the treasury since it is blood money.

09:43

So they took counsel and bought with them the potter's field as a burial place for strangers. Therefore that field has been called the field of blood to this day.

09:52

Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah saying and they took thirty pieces of silver the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel and they gave them for the potter's field as the

10:07

Lord directed me. Now Jesus stood before the governor and the governor asked him are you the king of the

10:12

Jews? Jesus said you have said so but when he was accused by the chief priests the elders he gave no answer.

10:22

Then Pilate said to him do you not hear how many things they testify against you? But he gave him no answer not even to a single charge so that the governor was greatly amazed.

10:34

Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted and they had then a notorious prisoner called

10:44

Barabbas. So when they had gathered Pilate said to them whom do you want me to release for you

10:49

Barabbas or Jesus who was called the Christ? For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.

10:57

Besides while he was sitting on the judgment seat his wife sent word to him have nothing to do with that righteous man for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.

11:07

Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them which of the two do you want me to release for you?

11:19

And they said Barabbas. Pilate said to them then what shall I do with Jesus who is called

11:25

Christ? And they all said let him be crucified. And he said why what evil has he done?

11:34

But they shouted all the more let him be crucified. So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing but rather that a riot was beginning he took water and he washed his hands before the crowd saying

11:45

I am innocent of this man's blood see to it yourself. And all the people answered his blood be on us and on our children.

11:54

And then he released for them Barabbas and having scourged Jesus delivered him to be crucified.

12:01

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters and they gathered the whole battalion before him and they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him and twisting together a crown of thorns and they put it on his head and they put a reed in his right hand and kneeling before him they mocked him saying hail king of the

12:20

Jews. And then they spit on him took the reed and struck him on the head and when they had mocked him they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.

12:34

As they went out they found a man of Cyrene Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross and when they had came to the place called

12:44

Golgotha which means the place of the skull they offered him wine to drink mixed with gold but when he tasted it he would not drink it.

12:53

And when they had crucified him they divided his garments among them by casting lots. Then they sat down and kept watch over him there.

13:00

And over his head they put the charge against him which read this is Jesus king of the

13:05

Jews. And then the two robbers who were crucified with him one on the right and one on the left and those who passed by derided him wagging their heads and saying you who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days save yourself if you are the son of God come down from the cross.

13:23

So also the chief priests and the scribes and the elders mocked him saying he saved others he cannot now save himself.

13:31

He is the king of Israel let him come down now from the cross and then we will believe in him. He trusts in God let

13:37

God deliver him now if he desires him for he said I am the son of God. And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

13:47

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all of the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour

13:54

Jesus cried out with a loud voice saying Eli Eli lama sabachthani that is my

14:00

God my God why have you forsaken me? And some of the bystanders hearing it said this man is calling

14:06

Elijah and one of them at once ran and took a sponge filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed and gave it to it and gave it to him to drink.

14:14

But the other said wait let's see whether Elijah will come to save him. And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

14:23

And behold the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook the rocks were split the tombs were opened many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

14:41

When the centurion and those who were with him keeping watch over Jesus saw the earthquake and what took place they were filled with awe and said truly this was the

14:51

Son of God. There were also many women there looking on from a distance who had followed

14:56

Jesus from Galilee ministering to him among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

15:07

When it was evening there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph who was also a disciple of Jesus.

15:14

He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus and then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. Joseph took the body wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb which he had caught in the rock and he rolled away rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away.

15:32

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there sitting opposite the tomb.

15:38

The next day that is the day after preparation the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said sir we remember how that imposter said while he was still alive after three days

15:49

I will rise. Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people that he has risen from the dead and the last rod will be worse than the first.

16:02

Pilate said to them you have a guard of soldiers go and make it as secure as you can. So they went and made the tomb secure by stealing the stone and setting a guard.

16:12

This is the gospel of the Lord. In the name of Jesus. The prophet

16:18

Isaiah says of Jesus that he set his face like flint and today we read in the gospel of John that Jesus well he had a triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

16:31

The king himself has now come to the capital city but he's not riding a warhorse.

16:39

He's riding well a donkey. The colt.

16:45

The foal of a donkey. When kings come into their capital this is a fearful thing and Jesus's words this

16:53

Palm Sunday we heard when we were gathering back there in the fellowship hall.

17:00

These words were fear not daughter of Zion behold your king is coming to you sitting on a donkey's colt.

17:07

He has not come to flex muscle. He has not come to judge us. Instead he has come to be judged in our place.

17:17

And as we read through the long reading of the passion of Christ as recorded for us by the eyewitness testimony of Matthew one thing stands out is that there is only one person in the midst of this narrative who is sinless.

17:36

Everyone else seems to be royally screwing up and unfortunately I can see myself in pretty much every one of these people who've screwed up.

17:47

And if you're honest with yourself you can see yourself in them too. I would point out

17:53

Judas the one who betrays Christ. Betrays him for 30 pieces of silver?

18:01

Trinkets? Chump change? What is in it for him?

18:07

At the time that he betrayed Christ you have to wonder what on earth was he thinking?

18:14

And for this Jesus says of him it would have been better had he never been born.

18:23

But keep in mind Judas is not the only one now suffering for his sins in hell.

18:31

Each and every one of us we betray Christ and we show our unbelief when we exchange him for our favorite sins.

18:39

Whether that's money, alcohol, whether it's something we're coveting that really really nice new combine we want.

18:49

Or the people we step over as we climb the corporate ladder. Or maybe it's the friends that we have whom we gossip about on social media or on the phone.

19:01

Each and every one of us when we do this we too also deny Christ.

19:07

And then there's Peter. Oh man Peter man this is the guy who says I promise Lord that I am going to get my act together.

19:15

I really am holy. I'm spirit -filled. I am I'm the I'm your man

19:21

Jesus. I'm gonna show you by my zealousness, by my efforts, all these things. I would never betray you.

19:29

And then a slave girl. Oh you were with Jesus were you not? Oh I never knew the man.

19:36

Never knew the man. How many of us do this? It's not a slave girl.

19:41

It could be a friend. Somebody you know. Member of your family. They sit there and go you're a

19:46

Christian aren't you? Well yeah I'm I'm I I go to church. You know

19:51

I'm spiritual but I'm not religious. You know. What do you think about what's going on in the world today?

19:57

You know I'll just keep my opinion to myself. You know I wouldn't want you to think that I'm some Jesus freak or something.

20:04

We do this. I've done this. There's a lot of Peter in me.

20:10

There's a lot of Peter in you. And then you get the disciples in the garden of Gethsemane.

20:18

They couldn't even pray. Oh Lord I'm too tired. Jesus is saying pray that you're not led into temptation.

20:28

The hour is dire. Do you not see what's going on? Now we'll get to that tomorrow

20:35

Jesus. I just am so comfy right now. This rock is calling my name.

20:40

It feels like a fluffy pillow. Good night Jesus. I'll see you tomorrow. Talk about apathy.

20:47

But in the midst of all of this I mean you'll note that Jesus, despite the weakness of everyone, he is not weak.

20:56

Where they fail to stay awake and pray, he succeeds. And that's the important thing.

21:03

Jesus is doing this all for us. Then you think of the religious leaders that we read about.

21:12

Oh Caiaphas, the high priest. What are they doing? I mean just think about the absurdity of this scene.

21:20

These are the people who are leading the children of Israel in the name of God.

21:26

They have by right the office of high priest and the Levitical priesthood to offer sacrifices on behalf of the children of Israel.

21:36

They're the ones tasked by God to teach the children of Israel the word of God in the synagogue.

21:43

These are the representatives of God on earth and the text says they were literally looking for false witnesses.

21:52

Would you be willing to stand up and say something about Jesus? Go ahead and feel like you can lie if you like. No problemo.

21:59

And even then they couldn't get their false witnesses to agree with each other. That's because none of them were speaking the truth.

22:08

They were looking for lies. And so a kangaroo court in the middle of the night held by pastor so -and -so.

22:15

How does this guy then stand up and say thus saith the Lord?

22:21

You know, he's got no credibility. None whatsoever.

22:28

And yet Jesus in the midst of all of this, he's not sitting there going,

22:33

I object, your honor, I object. These witnesses are doo doo. They're not telling the truth.

22:40

You know, my attorney would like to file a brief so that we can have this, this particular hearing stopped in a, and rescheduled for a different day because clearly you guys are up to no good.

22:51

He doesn't do any of that. He says nothing. He doesn't open his mouth once to defend himself.

23:05

But who is in the right the whole time? Jesus. And this just shows how badly sin has destroyed our race, has destroyed you, has destroyed me.

23:26

And so finally, finally as the story unfolds with Jesus's trial, they found two fellows because it takes two witnesses to agree.

23:37

Oh yeah. We heard Jesus say that if you tear down this temple,

23:42

I'll rebuild it again in three days. And of course you can almost see Caiaphas going what?

23:48

You're getting really dramatic. No. Did he really? And then he turns to Jesus and you know, he says, so is this true?

23:58

Have you no answer to make to these charges? What is it that these men have testified against you?

24:05

If you've read the gospel of John, it's very clear. Jesus did say that. And if you remember when he said it, it actually kind of helps a little bit too.

24:12

When did he say it? Remember he said that after he had overturned the money changers tables in the temple.

24:19

Those who are making a buck off Jesus, off of God. Hmm. He said, they said, by what authority are you doing these things?

24:28

He said, tear down this temple. I'll build it again in three days. But John got it. John says, well the temple he was talking about was the temple of his body, which by the way, is about to be torn down.

24:40

It's about to be torn down because the temple always pointed to Jesus. So Caiaphas, oh thinking that, he's now got the upper hand, goes in for the kill.

24:51

I adjure you by the living God. Really? Seriously? You're having a kangaroo court in the middle of the night, which means you're up to no good.

25:00

You've literally been looking for false witnesses. None of your false witnesses can agree with each other, and now you invoke the living

25:08

God. Seriously. And as far -fetched as this is, as backwards, upside down, and inside out as this is, we have done this same thing.

25:23

We have praised God with our mouths, and in the next moment, literally in the next breath, cursed our neighbors, our friends, our brothers and sisters in Christ.

25:35

In the one moment, we sing hallelujah, and in the next minute, we're engaging in our favorite sin.

25:45

Wow. So I adjure you by the living God. Tell us if you are the Christ, the

25:50

Son of God. Jesus speaks the truth here. Notice Jesus isn't lying.

25:56

He says, well you've said so. That's his polite way of saying, you've spoken the truth. But I tell you from now on, you will see the

26:02

Son of Man seated at the right hand of the power and coming on the clouds of heaven. Was he lying?

26:09

Nope. He was telling the truth. So then the high priest, oh in high dramatic fashion, he tears his robes and says, he's honored blasphemy.

26:19

No he hasn't. He's spoken the truth. What are you smoking? What further witnesses do we need?

26:26

You now have heard his blasphemy. What is this, what is their judgment? And so they answered, he deserves death.

26:34

Death for what exactly? For speaking the truth? Jesus is the

26:41

Son of God, but these men want him dead.

26:48

And so then begins Jesus' physical sufferings.

26:54

They spit in his face, struck him, and they slapped him, saying, prophesy to us you

27:02

Christ. Who is it that struck you? And yet Jesus says nothing.

27:17

Doesn't resist them at all. Why is this?

27:24

The answer is simple. Because as Isaiah said, he had set his face like flint to go to Jerusalem.

27:31

He came into Jerusalem to do what? To go to the cross. Because his mission is to seek and save the lost.

27:42

That's you, and that's me. Jesus knew that it had to be this way.

27:48

And there he is praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. He's as human as we are, and yet he's also

27:54

God. That's a great mystery. And he prays, O Lord, Father, if this cup can pass from me, yet not my will, your will be done.

28:04

And this is the great mystery that we heard in our Epistle text this morning. That though he is by nature

28:11

God, and that's the thing, this is the big mystery of it all. In all of the universe, there is no greater being than God.

28:23

And that is who Jesus is. He is God. There is no higher throne than his throne.

28:31

And yet, even though he was by nature God, he did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped.

28:40

But I can tell you my problem is, I think I'm God. Your problem is you think you're

28:46

God too. You don't believe me? How many times have you acted in a way that basically says,

28:52

I know better than you, God? We've each done it. My wife can testify that I am a little deity, that I want my own way.

29:03

I don't behave well, and I have tantrums when things don't go my way, and so do you. But the problem, see that's the problem.

29:10

We're not God, and yet we act like we're Gods. And if you think, well this only works with husbands, just remember that saying, women, if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

29:22

And you know why that is? Because you're a little God too. And the problem is, we're all false

29:28

Gods. And this is exactly what the temptation was in the Garden of Eden, when the serpent says, oh you will not surely die.

29:37

Because God knows that when you eat of the fruit, oh your eyes will be open and you'll be like God. Like God?

29:45

Yeah, that sounds good. I'd like to try that on. And we tried it on, and we can't take it off.

29:53

There we are, stuck. And so what does God do in the midst of all of this? Keep in mind, the highest throne in all of the universe, the great and glorious God for whom there are no other gods.

30:05

He could have basically said to each and every one of us, gonna march yourselves right into hell, because that's where you belong.

30:14

You will be damned for eternity, and you will be getting exactly what you deserve. But that's not what he did.

30:24

Instead, God, the Son, steps down from the throne and he takes off all of his glory.

30:35

Every last bit of it. And he puts on our human flesh.

30:41

And he's born of the Virgin Mary. And he humbles himself.

30:48

Took on the form of a slave. And being born in the likeness of men, and being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

31:05

That's what Jesus is doing. The great God. Doesn't open his mouth to defend himself, because he is our servant now.

31:20

And God the Father lays on him the iniquity of us all, so that we do not get what we deserve.

31:28

Judas comes to his senses, and the Greek text literally says that he repented.

31:35

But here's the problem. Who'd he go to for his absolution? His co -conspirators.

31:42

The guilty goes to the guilty in order to have his sin forgiven. And he says,

31:48

I've sinned by betraying innocent blood. And rather than say, bring us a lamb, let's have this sacrificed, so that you can be forgiven.

32:01

They say, what is that to us? Say to it yourself. You're on your own there, buddy. We can't help you, because we're just as guilty as you are.

32:08

So throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed and he went and he hanged himself. What a terrible, terrible ending.

32:18

Whom do you go to to have your sins forgiven? Let us go to Christ.

32:26

And then there's Pilate. We know from history that Pilate is one of these fellows who was known, known for his brutality.

32:38

He was not a kind fellow. In fact, you can almost say that he's practically a war criminal, based upon his torture and the things that he did to keep the

32:48

Jews under his authority in submission. And yet, there's Pilate, and he comes up against Jesus, and even he recognizes that Jesus is something totally different.

33:00

So Jesus is before Pilate, and Jesus is asked straight up, are you the king of the Jews? What has

33:06

Jesus said? You've said so. That's his polite way of saying, yeah, you got that right, you're correct.

33:13

So when he's accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Pilate said to him, do you not hear how many things they testify against you?

33:23

Jesus heard every one of them, and he felt every one of those blows to his face, but he's saying nothing.

33:31

He gave no answer, not even to a single charge, because he had set his face like flint to bleed and to die for your sins and mine.

33:40

And the governor was greatly amazed. When was the last time you ever heard of a trial where the one on trial said not a word to defend himself?

33:52

Now at the feast, the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted, and they had that notorious prisoner called

34:00

Barabbas, which so ironically, Barabbas literally means son of the father.

34:09

That will just blow your mind when you start to think about it. Who do you want, the son of the father, or do you want

34:15

Jesus? Weird, very interesting stuff. This has to do with the scapegoat in Leviticus.

34:23

So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, whom do you want me to release, Barabbas or Jesus who's called

34:28

Christ? For he knew it was out of envy that they had delivered him up, and besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, have nothing to do with that righteous man.

34:37

I've suffered much because of him in a dream. Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to destroy

34:43

Jesus. Notice who it says did this, the chief priests. Literally, you've got the religious leaders whipping the crowd up into a frenzy so that an innocent man will be put to death and they know it.

35:02

These men have no conscience. Which of the two do you want me to release?

35:07

They said Barabbas. Pilate said to them, then what shall I do with Jesus who's called the Christ? They said, let him be crucified.

35:16

Why? What evil has he done? But they shouted all the more, let him be crucified.

35:23

And then you'll notice something really fascinating and that is that Pilate, this murderous war criminal, brutal man that history tells us that he was, literally his spine disappears and he becomes a jellyfish.

35:43

So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, rather that a riot was beginning, he took water, washed his hands before the crowd and said,

35:51

I'm innocent of this man's blood, see to it yourself. No, you are not, Pilate. You are guilty of this man's blood.

36:01

And here's the sad part, so am I. Because it was my sins that put him on the cross and it was yours also.

36:11

He's wrong. He's not innocent of this man's blood. See to it yourselves, he says.

36:18

He had the authority to stop this. He knew that what they were doing was a crime and he participated in it. And he thought that he can somehow baptize himself and have his sins washed away in his self -appointed baptism.

36:32

No, that's not how that works. So all the people answered and here's one of the most fascinating texts of Scripture.

36:40

There's the crowd and the people said, his blood be on us and on our children.

36:51

I want you to think about that. There's two ways to work the phrase. His blood be on us and on our children.

36:59

Basically saying, yep, we're guilty of this man's blood. No problemo for us. Let his blood be on us.

37:05

We don't care. That's unbelief. And in this sense,

37:10

Jesus's blood becomes a curse. Jesus's blood is a judgment against them. But I would have remind you, brothers and sisters, that we understand that it is the blood of Christ that washes away our sin.

37:24

It is the blood of Christ that makes us white as snow. Though our sins be like crimson, it is the blood of Christ that washes them away.

37:36

And so the prayer of faith, different than this statement, the prayer of faith says,

37:44

O Lord, please let your blood be on us and on our children so that we may be forgiven, that we may be absolved, that we may be pardoned, that we may be made right in your sight.

37:57

Because Lord, we are guilty. What an interesting turn of phrase.

38:05

And so brothers and sisters, as we think and meditate on the sufferings of Christ for our sins, we know that we are not innocent of his blood.

38:18

And each and every one of these people, from Judas to Peter, to the chief priests, to Pilate, even the false witnesses, we can see ourselves in each and every one of them.

38:33

And we can say that we are not innocent of this man's blood, that it was our sins that put him on the cross.

38:40

As Isaiah says, he was pierced for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities.

38:47

The chastisement that brought us peace was upon him. And what good news it is, and what an amazing mystery of the love of God, that God who is innocent, who is holy, who is just, who is glorious, who is the highest in all of the universe, would humble himself and become the lowest and the most despised, the beaten, the bruised, the scourged, the killed, the mocked.

39:13

And all of this because of his great love for us, because it says in Scripture that God demonstrates his love for us, and that while we were yet sinners,

39:23

Christ died for the ungodly. So as we enter now into Holy Week and we meditate on the sufferings of Christ, we thank

39:35

God for his great love and his grace, that he would do the unthinkable and do something for people as wicked as me and as you.

39:46

In the name of Jesus, Amen. If you would like to support the teaching ministry of Kungsvinger Lutheran Church, you can do so by sending a tax -free donation to Kungsvinger Lutheran Church, 15950 470th

40:07

Avenue Northwest, Oslo, Minnesota, 56744. And again, that address is

40:15

Kungsvinger Lutheran Church, 15950 470th

40:21

Avenue Northwest, Oslo, Minnesota, 56744. We thank you for your support.

40:28

All of our teaching messages may be freely distributed as long as you do not edit or change the content of the message.