Text : John 19:1-16
Dearly beloved, on June 26, 1851 a beautiful girl was born and named Elizabeth Edmunds Hewett in Philadephia here in Pensylvania. This girl grew to become a dedicated Sunday school teacher and a talented hymn writer. Despite her commitment and dedication to the work of God as a Sunday school teacher, she was experiencing chronic health issues. Hewitt never allowed her health condition discourage her, she remained devoted to her faith and service to God. Hewitt's faith in God led her to write a hymn "My faith has found a resting place". This hymn emphasizes the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice for salvation and the assurance found in resting in His finished work. Shall we sing together;
1. My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device or creed;
I trust the ever-living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.
Chorus:
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.
2. Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him,
He'll never cast me out. (Chorus)
3. My heart is leaning on the Word,
The written Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior's name,
Salvation through His blood. (Chorus)
4. My great Physician heals the sick,
The lost He came to save;
For me His precious blood He shed,
For me His life He gave. (Chorus)
5. I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me. (Chorus)
These lyrics express a deep sense of trust and reliance on Jesus Christ for salvation. They affirm the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice and the assurance of salvation found in Him.
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father,
As we gather together to hear Your word proclaimed, we come before You with hearts open and minds ready to receive Your truth. We thank You for the privilege of having access to Your living and powerful word, which speaks life and light into our souls.
Lord, we recognize that Your word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. We humbly ask that You would illuminate our hearts and minds as we listen attentively to Your message today. Open our ears to hear Your voice speaking through Your servant, and grant us understanding to discern Your will for our lives.
Forgive us, Lord, for the times when we have been distracted or indifferent to Your word. Help us to approach Your word with reverence and awe, knowing that it is a treasure beyond compare. May Your word penetrate deep into our hearts, transforming us from the inside out and conforming us more closely to the image of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Lord, we also lift up the one who will be proclaiming Your word today. Grant them clarity of thought, boldness of speech, and anointing of Your Holy Spirit as they deliver Your message. May Your word go forth with power and authority, convicting hearts, healing wounds, and bringing forth fruit that lasts for eternity.
As we hear Your word proclaimed, may it not just be a message that we hear, but a truth that we embrace and live out in our daily lives. Empower us, Lord, to be doers of Your word and not just hearers only, so that Your kingdom may be advanced and Your name glorified in all that we say and do.
We pray all these things in the mighty name of Jesus,
Amen.
Introduction
On a bright, sunny day. Children's laughter fills the air as they run, jump, and play on swings and slides. Among them, you notice a shy boy named Mark sitting alone on a bench, his shoulders slumped and his eyes downcast.
Approaching him, you ask what's wrong. With a heavy sigh, Mark begins to tell you his story. He explains that during recess, a group of kids accused him of stealing someone's lunch money, something he would never do. Despite his protests and pleas for understanding, the other children wouldn't listen. They quickly judged him and spread rumors, causing many of his friends to turn away from him.
As Mark recounts his experience, you can't help but feel a pang of empathy for him. His situation reminds you of times when you've felt unfairly treated or misunderstood. It's a familiar feeling—the weight of unjust condemnation pressing down on your heart.
This story of Mark's unjust treatment resonates deeply, not just with you, but with people everywhere who have experienced similar injustices. It's a reminder of the pain that comes from being falsely accused and unfairly judged. And as you listen to Mark's story, you're reminded of another figure who faced similar circumstances—Jesus Christ.
Content
Dearly beloved as we gather today to commerate the death and resurrection of our Lord and Master Jesus, we're confronted with a truth: the reality of unjust condemnation. Many of us have experienced moments when we've been unfairly judged, falsely accused, or misunderstood. The pain of being condemned for no reason cuts deep, leaving scars on our hearts and souls. Yet, as we delve into our scripture passage today, we'll discover that this theme of unjust condemnation is not merely a historical event but a profound reflection of the human condition. An innocent man condemned to die for crimes he didn't commit. But beyond the injustice meted out to Jesus lies the message of hope and redemption, this act also reminds us that even in the darkest moments of our lives, God's grace and love shine brightest. Let us journey together into the heart of this truth as we explore how Jesus' unjust condemnation speaks to our lives today.
Main Point 1: Jesus was sentenced to death unjustly.
Explanation:
In this first point, we see the injustice that Jesus faced as he was brought before Pilate. Despite being innocent, he was condemned to death by the religious leaders who were threatened by his teachings and popularity. Pilate even tried to release him, finding no fault in him, but the religious leaders and the crowd insisted on his crucifixion.
Illustration:
Imagine being accused and sentenced to death for a crime you did not commit. This is the situation that Jesus found himself in. He was betrayed by one of his own disciples, Judas, and wrongfully accused by the religious leaders. Yet, he remained silent and did not defend himself, fully surrendering to God's will for his life.
Application:
As followers of Christ, we may also face unjust accusations and persecution for our faith. But let us remember Jesus' example and remain faithful even in the face of adversity. Let us trust in God's plan and believe that he is sovereign over all things.
Main Point 2: Jesus suffered mockery and humiliation. (Mock Coronation)
Explanation:
In this second point, we see the soldiers mocking Jesus, dressing him up as a king and ridiculing him. He was dressed in a purple robe. Dearly beloved, purple was a color associated with royalty and authority in the ancient world, particularly among the Romans. By placing a purple robe on Jesus, the soldiers were mocking his claim to kingship. Along with the purple robe, the soldiers also placed a crown of thorns on Jesus' head and a reed in his hand, mimicking the symbols of kingship. This mock coronation was a cruel and ironic gesture, as it portrayed Jesus, the true King of Kings, in a position of humiliation and mockery. But little did they know that they were fulfilling God's plan for Jesus to be the true king, not just of the Jews, but of all believers.
Illustration:
Imagine being humiliated in front of a crowd, being laughed at and jeered. This is what Jesus endured as he was mocked by the soldiers. He could have easily used his power and authority to stop the mockery, but he chose to submit to God's will and fulfill the prophecy of being the suffering Messiah.
Application:
As followers of Christ, we may also face ridicule and humiliation for our faith. But let us remember that Jesus endured it all for us. Let us not be ashamed of the gospel, but proudly stand for our faith in the face of persecution.
Main Point 3: The crowd chose to release a criminal instead of Jesus.
Explanation:
In this final point, we see the crowd choosing to release a criminal, Barabbas, instead of Jesus. The same crowd that had welcomed Jesus with open arms just days ago, now called for his crucifixion. This shows the fickleness and depravity of human nature, but it also highlights the selfless love of Jesus, who willingly laid down his life for us despite our sinfulness.
Illustration:
Imagine being given the choice between two people, one innocent and one guilty. Yet, the crowd chose to release the guilty one. This is the ultimate injustice that Jesus faced, as he was rejected and crucified by those he came to save.
Application:
Let us examine our own hearts and see if there are times when we have rejected Jesus and chosen our sinful ways. Let us also remember the sacrifice that he made for us and strive to live for him and follow his example of selfless love.
Conclusion:
The passage of John 19:1-16 reminds us of the unjust condemnation, mockery, and rejection that Jesus faced. But it also shows us his love, sacrifice, and submission to God's will. Let us reflect on these truths and respond by living a life that honors Jesus and points others to him.
Closing Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for your Word and the reminder of Jesus' suffering and sacrifice. Help us to follow his example of humility, surrender, and love. Strengthen us to endure persecution and remain faithful in the face of adversity. May our lives bring honor and glory to your holy name. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.