A. SERMON SLIDES
Slide 1:
The Judge Faces Judgment
Mark 14:55-65
Slide 2:
Mark 14:55–65 (ESV)
Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’ ” Yet even about this their testimony did not agree. And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death. And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” And the guards received him with blows.
Slide 3:
Questions to Pose:
I. What is the testimony of the defendant?
II. What is the verdict from the court?
III. What is the larger meaning?
Slide 4:
Some of the rules broken:
1) Trial should have been in broad daylight
2) A guilty verdict required a second hearing on the following day
3) No rumors or hearsay. No false witnesses
4) Blasphemy charge when the ineffable name of God is cursed
5) Guilty verdict of blasphemy was immediate stoning
6) Trial was to take place at the Chamber of Hewn Stone
Slide 5:
“Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death”
Rigged Trial
Slide 6:
Isaiah 53:7 (ESV)
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.
Slide 7:
“Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”
Are you the man above the men above men?
Slide 8:
Jesus answers:
“Yes, but more…I am Divine”
Slide 9:
Verdict:
Guilty of Blasphemy
Humans putting God on trial
Slide 10:
1 Corinthians 10:1–4 (ESV)
For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.
Slide 11:
Why did they hate Jesus so much?
Not just because of His claim, but what it meant if it were true.
Because if this is what God is like, it’s better to kill him.
Slide 12:
The Sign of Jonah
Guenter Rutenborn
Slide 13:
The conclusion of the play:
The only way that nobody pays is if God pays, but if God is innocent, everyone must pay.
Slide 14:
2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Slide 15:
Isaiah 53:4–6 (ESV)
Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
B. GROUP DISCUSSION
1) Read Mark 14:53-65. Where do you see yourself in this story? What part pulls your emotions in the most?
2) What was the High Priest asking, and what did Jesus claim to be?
3) Why did they strike Jesus? Why were they so angry in your opinion?
4) Why didn’t Jesus defend Himself?
5) Who is guilty for sin and brokenness? Is it all of us humans, or God?
6) Have you been angry at God? Why?
7) Prayer and praise