God on TrialPART 2JOHN 18:28-38

God on Trial, pt. 2•Know these guys?•Know what they had in common?•Charles I in 1649 and Louis XVI in 1793•Unlike these two, Jesus has an eternal kingdom that cannot be destroyed or overthrown•Jesus’ magnificence becomes very obvious

“28 Then they *led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. 29 Therefore Pilate went out to them and *said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” 30 They answered and said to him, “If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you.” 31 So Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your

law.” The Jews said to him, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death,” 32 to fulfill the word of Jesus which He spoke, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die.33 Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” 35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests

delivered You to me; what have You done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” 37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth.

Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” 38 Pilate *said to Him, “What is truth?”

John 18:28-38, NASB

The 4th Trial…•Between v 24 and 28, Jesus went through two more trials, Caiaphas and the San Hedrin•Short trial, at sunrise took Him to Pilate•Vv 28 has the most hypocrisy and human depravity ever scene•What Irony!

False Accusations/ Pre-defined verdict…•Vv 29-32, Pilate’s 1st question was normal• Jewish Leaders didn’t answer, because they knew there was no crime according to Roman Law•Luke 23:2 says they made up three charges•Luke 23:2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, “(1) We found this fellowperverting the nation, and (2) forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, (3) sayingthat He Himself is Christ, a King.”

Trial by Pilate…•The only true statement was the Messiah charge!•The last thing Pilate needed was a Hebrew Hooplah•He thought, “Why crucifixion over stoning?”•Shame for Jesus

More Jewish Rules…If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, 23 his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you donot defile the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance;for he who is hanged is accursed of God

Deuteronomy 21:22-23

More Jewish Rules…

“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)”

Galatians 3:13

My Kingdom not of this World…•Vv 33-36, Pilate’s 1st question reasonable– insurrection not tolerated•What was Jesus really asking him in V 34?•Jesus is declaring the great and permanent difference between God’s and earthly kingdoms

What is the Truth?•Vv 37-38, I think Pilate maybe sincere at this moment•Note Jesus’ answer in V37—•“Born” to show his humanity•“Have come into”…explains His deity•Pay attn. to the end of v37—•Truth? Absolutes? He didn’t want to know…

Take Home•Absolute moral and biblical truths exist absolutely•Anytime we stand against them, we are taking the side of untruth and embracing deceit thatcomes from Satan