The Trial of the King

The city of London was a bustling hub of activity, its streets were filled with people going about their daily routines.

But on a fateful day in September 1666, an eerie stillness fell upon the city, For unbeknownst to its inhabitants, disaster lurked just around the corner. For in the heart of London, on Pudding Lane, a humble bakery stood quietly. But as it did, a spark suddenly ignited, causing a small flame to dance to life.

Noticing the smell of smoke, the bakery's owner, was quick to notice the danger and so he called for help. And shortly thereafter, the alarm bells rang out, with their urgent clanging echoing through the narrow streets. which caused the people to gather, with their eyes widening as they watched the rising plumes of smoke.

But as the fire grew, panic began to set in. Yet, despite the growing chaos and the threat that loomed before them, the people’s response was hesitant as they were reluctant to take action.

Some believed the fire would die out on its own, that it was a mere flicker, not worth their attention. While others assumed that someone else would take charge, that surely the authorities would handle the situation properly.

But as the minutes ticked by, their indecision became a terrible decision. For the fire, fueled by the gusting winds, eventually began to devour everything in its path, as it grew more voracious with each passing moment, hungrily consuming building after building.

But by the time the city finally responded, it was much too late as the fire had grown to a massive inferno, that was consuming the entire city. And why? Because the people had refused to take the threat of the fire seriously, They had refused to respond to it’s growing threat. and so their decision of INDECISION, was actually a decision to let the fire consume their city!

When it comes to big decisions, sometimes we only have two options: And not choosing the one option, is to choose the other! That’s just how it works sometimes. And when it comes to BIG DECISIONS, there is no greater decision than the decision we must make, than with the trial of Jesus of Nazareth.

What do I mean? What I mean, is that when it comes to Jesus, we have TWO OPTIONS and TWO OPTIONS ONLY when it comes to our verdict Either He is the King whom we must crown, OR, is the devil of hell and we must crucify Him! THAT’S IT! We can Crown Him or we can Crucify Him. And to not decide, is to actually to decide - whether we realize it or not. For either we will bow before Him as Lord and King, Or we will spit in His face and cry out: “crucify Him, crucify Him.” and the Bible is crystal clear on this There is no middle way on this matter, and the trial of Jesus’ shows us this.

These past two plus years, we’ve been systematically working our way through Matthew’s Gospel, asking the question: “Who is Jesus of Nazareth.” And as we’ve seen, Matthew has laid out all of the evidence we need to render a verdict. And that verdict is: Jesus is KING. And He’s not just A KING, HE’S THE KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS And yet, as we find in our passage this morning, the King is put on trial for that very claim. And ever since then, He’s been put on trial within every human heart which MUST render a verdict! GUILTY or NOT GUILTY. there is no third option And to try an avoid picking an option, is in fact to pick an option that leads to devastation.

And so this morning, we are going to look at Jesus’s trial and weigh the evidence so we might render the right verdict, Because in this trial, they clearly did not, and if we are going to avoid their mistake, we must do 3 things they didn’t, And here they are.

To render a proper verdict in the trial of Jesus, we must examine:

1. The case
2. The claim
3. The conviction

1. The case

In verse 57, we find a very, very interesting detail that keeps showing up all throughout Matthew’s account. and it’s the mention of Peter, who is not only moments away from denying Jesus 3 times, but here, we find Peter following from where? From up close or from a distance? From a distance.

And so with this in mind, remember what we saw last week with Jesus’s arrest: ALL of the disciples abandoned Jesus and fled in fear! And this is an absolutely crucial part of the case that we have to consider. Because think about it. If you were going to start a brand new religion in order to gain power and influence - like skeptics will say happened with the rise of Christianity. Why on earth would you constantly make the leaders in your new religion look this bad?

All throughout Matthew’s Gospel, for every time we see one of the disciples act in a positive manner, we have like 10 examples of them being dimwitted. And so if you’re starting a brand new religion - why on earth would do that? Why make the founders of your religion look bad? The answer is, you wouldn’t, because that goes COMPLETELY against human nature. Just look at social media. No one uses social media to intentionally make themselves look awful. No - we pretty much always make ourselves out to be the hero! So why on earth would the disciples not do the same? I’ll tell you why... And the reason is because they were telling the truth! And this is no small point... This is huge actually.

Over and over throughout the gospels, we see what is clearly eye-witness testimony, that tells the truth no matter how foolish it makes them look! And the only real reason to do that is if your goal is to tell the truth, not start a religion to gain power and influence. It doesn’t add up! and there’s so much more we could say about this, But for now, as we examine the case of Christ, we have to recognize this important piece of evidence.

Now, another thing we have to examine here, is the evidence used against Jesus in His trial. Because if a verdict is drawn based upon fabricated evidence, then we have really good reason to believe the verdict is wrong! I’m no Law & Order expert - but that seems pretty straight forward doesn’t it? It does to me. So what evidence did they use AND what evidence did they not use?

So notice here the charge they are making: The prosecution is charging Him for the crime of calling for the destruction of the temple. Which back then, for most religions, would have been seen as an act of terrorism, that was worthy of death. But there’s just one problem. Jesus never said that He was going to destroy the temple. and the closest thing to that, is what we find Him saying in John 2 about how His body is a temple, and how if they tear it down He’ll raise it back up again in 3 days. But He never made any threats against the Jewish Temple. Sure He predicted it would be destroyed, But He never once claimed that He would be the One to destroy it.

So because Jesus never said this, when the false witnesses came to give their account of Jesus, it didn’t match up. And back then, the way it works in the courts was if the testimony of the witnesses didn’t agree, then the entire case had to be thrown out. That’s just how it worked. But they didn’t do that did they? No they didn’t. And the reason is because the entire trial was illegal! For example: not only did the eye witness testimonies not match up, as we just mentioned But the trial was at night - which was illegal The sentence was given on the first day of the trial - which was also illegal The trial was done too close to Sabbath And the defendant - being Jesus - was directly interrogated by the High Priest - which was also illegal. And if you study this, theologians will tell you there was actually a whole lot more than even all of that!

Nothing about this case was done legally. There’s nothing about which is just! But, despite all of that, the case wasn’t dismissed, and a guilty verdict was rendered anyways. Why? Because after the High Priest is frustrated that Jesus won’t respond and the trial isn’t going well, look what He says: He says in verse 63: “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” And Jesus’s answer drives them wild!

Now, first off, what Caiaphas is asking isn’t probably what you think it is. He’s not asking Him: “Are you God? Tell us!?” He’s not. He’s simply asking Him, “Are you the Messiah?” Which is a ridiculous questions, because Jesus has proven Himself over and over to be God’s Messiah. From all of Miracles, To the prophecies He fulfilled, including His birth, To His Divine teaching, Jesus had already proven this beyond any reasonable doubt. And yet, Caiaphas is asking Him here anyways, and why? Because He truly wants to know? Nope - look at verse 59. He’s trying to trap Him so they can put Him to death.

But how is Caiaphas trying to trap Jesus? What had Jesus JUST done days earlier? He had rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, and presented Himself as the Messiah! And by their misguided understanding, they were convinced that the Messiah would be a conquering King! Which is partially right - they just got the timing wrong, because that’s the Messiah’s second coming, not His first. And Caiaphas - though He doesn’t believe Jesus is the Messiah, is trying to get Jesus to admit that He is the Messiah, because if Jesus admits this, then He’s got Him, cuz then He can bring Jesus to Rome and have Him charged as a usurper king. And yet, what does Jesus do about the question of His Messianic claim? He takes it to an entirely different level than Caiaphas ever intended! Which leads us to our second point:

To render a proper verdict in the trial of Jesus, we must examine:

2. The claim

In response to Caiaphas’ question, look at what Jesus says in verse 64:

⁶⁴ Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Matthew 26:64 ESV

What Jesus is saying here is: “Yes, I am - but I’m a Messiah so much greater than you can even fathom!” and He goes on to say He’s Daniel chapter 7’s Son of Man. Let’s read it:

¹³ “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. ¹⁴ And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

Daniel 7:13-14 ESV

And right here, Jesus’s fate is sealed They have to either crown Him or kill Him. And the reason is because this is NOT just a claim to be a human Messiah, It’s a claim of divinity!

See, in the Bible, when it talks about the clouds of heaven, it’s not talking about clouds that are just bigger and puffier than earth’s clouds, No - It’s talking about the Shekinah Glory of God! and so what Jesus is saying is: “Yes, I am the Messiah as you’ve said - but I’m also so much more! For one day I will return to the earth riding upon the very glory of God, and when I do, I will judge you!”

This is an absolutely astonishing statement! His answer is way beyond the High Priest’s question, and His answer turns the tables on them in a way that infuriates them! He’s essentially saying: “Go ahead, judge me - but know than I am THE JUDGE of all the earth and one day I will be back to judge both the living and the dead!”

And so right there, they have a choice to make They can either CROWN HIM or Kill Him! For those are the only two options! And they obviously choose the latter, as not only does the High Priest rip his garments as a sign of outrage - which he was forbidden from doing by the way. But they go irate and begin to spit on Jesus and beat Him right in the middle of the trial. Does that seem even a little bit legal to you?

For us modern people, we read accounts like this, and we are tempted to think they are just overreacting. We are tempted to think there really is a third option besides the crown Him or kill Him options But the Bible tells us there isn’t. And if we really understand Jesus’s claims, we would see why.

Here’s what C S Lewis said about this: "I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God.' That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic - on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg - or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon, or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."

Lewis is completely right. And when you look at the gospels, you never see this half-way response to Jesus. As one theologian put it: “Jesus always produces one of the following effects: Hatred & Terror, or Adoration.” Look - Jesus was not and cannot be considered just another good Rabi because His teaching and claims don’t allow for it! For His teachings and claims are radically EXPLOSIVE You can either shut Him up for a fool, spit on Him and kill Him as a demon OR, you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. That’s it. And make no mistake - indecision is a DECISION! For one day soon Christ is coming back, riding upon the glory of God, and when He does, He will judge ALL the earth! And those who didn’t fall at his feet in adoration, will fall at His feet with hatred and dread.

To render a proper verdict in the trial of Jesus, we must examine:

3. The conviction

After Jesus claims to be Messianic Son of God, the religious leaders convict Jesus of blashphemy and sentence Him to death. But first, they begin to spit in HIs face and strike Him, as they blind fold Him, slapping Him, saying: “Prophesy to us, YOU CHRIST! Who is it who struck you? And yet, Jesus the Christ sat there in silence, just as the prophets old said He would.

⁶ I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting.

Isaiah 50:6 ESV

The supreme irony is that in their condemnation of Jesus, everything they accuse Him of doing and being is actually true! For Jesus is GOD and is God’s supreme prophet! and yet, though He could have killed them all instantly with but a gaze, He endured their abuse He endured their ridicule and why? Because He submitted Himself to His Father’s will, which the prophets of old also told of.

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.

Isaiah 53:7 ESV

And so it is in the midst of Christ’s unjust conviction, we see the true conviction, Which is that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the God, who was born to suffer and die so that we might live! And because of this, this means we are not our own. We are not the king and judge of our lives - He is. There is such a thing as absolute truth, and so you can’t live any way you want! You must submit yourself to Him as your Savior and King!

But if you’re going to do that, that also means that you MUST get off the throne and leave judgment to the judge of all the earth Who will certainly do what is right! And this has several implications. First off, you don’t look down on other people - no, you serve them just as Christ did, who perfectly practiced what He preached back in His sermon on the mount!

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ ³⁹ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. ⁴⁰ And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. ⁴¹ And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. ⁴² Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Matthew 5:38-42 ESV

When you look at your life, and you finally come to realize that Jesus, the judge of the all the earth, was judged for YOU in your place, it drives you to humility! How can it not? We aren’t saved by our performance and good works, We are saved entirely because Jesus - the only righteous judge, humbled Himself and stood in our place. THAT’S IT! So how on earth can we judge others and look down on them? The answer is, we can’t Not if we are truly understand the gospel.

This also means we must be forgiving people! Look, the reality is, every single one of us has spit in the face of Christ. We have all, at times in our lives, rejected the Lord of Glory out of our desire to be the Lord of our Life! We have all, in our heart of hearts, cried out “Crucify Him, Crucify Him.” And until you come to recognize this, not only will continue to judge others and refuse to forgive those who’ve sinned against you, but YOU STILL CONTINUE TO SPIT IN CHRIST’S face, by rejecting His sacrifice!

Think about it, If you truly grasp that Jesus was judged in your place in order to forgive you of your sins - how can you not forgive others?

Let’s be real a second - some of you have had people sin against you, and in a way, you probably had it coming. But Jesus, who was entirely perfect didn’t have it coming, at ALL In fact, He deserved our praise and adoration, and yet, He didn’t demand that did He? No, He suffered and served His enemies - even praying on the cross: “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

There’s one more thing we must do, or stop doing, if going to get off the throne and leave judgment to Jesus, and that’s STOP JUDGING YOURSELF. You don’t get to do that anymore! For the positive, OR THE NEGATIVE! Which means, stop beating yourself up! Only Jesus has the right to do that, and did He? No... He took the beating you and I deserve! Which means, don’t get to judge ourselves anymore!

One theologian I read this week was talking about this, and he explaining how 1 Corinthians chapter 4 changed his life when it came this stuff. Because in 1 Corinthians 4:3-4

³ I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. ⁴ My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.

1 Corinthians 4:3-4 NIV

Do you see what Paul is saying here? He’s not saying, like most people today say: “I don’t care what anyone thinks, I only care what I think.” Nope. He’s saying: “I don’t care what you think about me, but I also don’t care what I think about me!” And why? Because no person, including HIMSELF is His judge! Only Christ is! And it is HIS judgment alone that He cares about!

My, my, my, this is such an amazing passage! Look at what Paul is saying the gospel has done for Him. On one hand, He says: “My conscience is clear” But on the other, he says: “but that does not make me innocent.” And though He’s not innocent, why is His conscience clear? Because, as that same theologian put it: in Jesus Christ, our judgment day is in the past!

For the case against our sin had been built - and the evidence was undeniable. The claim was that sinners deserved wrath BUT, by God’s grace the conviction came down not upon us, but upon Christ! And because it has, we can say with the apostle Paul: “Yes, I am certainly not innocent, but in Jesus Christ my conscience is clear, for the LORD is my judge who was judged for me, to make His innocence my own.”

When it comes to Jesus, there’s is only two options: Either He is the judge who will one day judge you when He comes riding upon the clouds or He is the judge who was judged for you, when took your place on the cross. That’s it. There is no 3rd option, and indecision is still decision! For when Christ comes, He will come seated at the right hand of power, coming on the clouds of heaven, as the judge, Lord, and King of all the earth. and so until then, we invite all to the cross, saying:

“Ye sinners, seek his grace, Whose wrath ye cannot bear; Fly to the shelter of his cross, And find salvation there;”

This is the manuscript the sermon was preached from, so the recording may differ in places.