Scripture Introduction                        

Jesus Before Pilate

¹¹ Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” ¹² But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. ¹³ Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” ¹⁴ But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

¹⁵ Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. ¹⁶ And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. ¹⁷ So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” ¹⁸ For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. ¹⁹ 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.” ²⁰ Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. ²¹ The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” ²² Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” ²³ And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

²⁴ So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.” ²⁵ And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” ²⁶ Then he released for them Barabbas, and having ^scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

Sermon Introduction             

Marshall and Seale, both 17 years old, had been walking around Wentworth Park in Sydney, Nova Scotia during the late evening in 1971. They were confronted by two older men in the park Roy Ebsary and Jimmy MacNeil. A short scuffle occurred and Seale fell, mortally wounded by a knife blow. The police determined that Marshall, in a rage of unknown reason, had murdered Seale.  Marshall was found guilty by the Court for murdering Seale and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

After spending 11 years in prison, a witness came forward and admitted to seeing one of the older men that night, Roy Ebsary do the actual stabbing. A reinvestigation determined that Donald Marshall was found guilty for a crime he didn’t commit, and was subsequently declared innocent and the real Murder was imprisoned.

This true story reminded me of the story of Jesus standing before Pilate, where Jesus who was innocent was found guilty and a guilty man, Barabbas was set free.

(FCF) Imagine spending 11 years in prison under a guilty sentence, though innocent. Even though you insisted on your innocents no one believed you. Your friends and family doubt you and your community shames you. Though Marshall was innocent many of us are not so innocent for shameful actions in our lives. We commit wrongs and are not found guilty, yet we are, and we feel the impact of that guilt in our lives. Like Barabas in this story, thought we get off as innocent, we really know that we are not. Sometimes this guilt shapes how we see ourselves in the world. It is always in the back of our minds bothering us. We hid our guilt from others, living in general anxiety, fear and continual sadness.  Though we may not have committed murder, it feels like we got away with it. We feel like there is no relief.

Proposition: We are going to examine guilt, particularly how guilt impacts us, where guilt comes from and how we can exchange our guilt for Gods Grace in our lives. ………….Hence the title of todays sermon “From Guilt to Grace”

Jesus Before Pilate

¹¹ Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” ¹² But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. ¹³ Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” ¹⁴ But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

Pilot was the last Stop before the cross:

-Death Sentence: Jews Needed to abstain a death sentence for Jesus, this could only happen through the Romans. Notorious for refusing to accommodate Jewish Prejudices.

Who Was Pilate?

-Governor of Judea: Ruled as governor over Judea, a small outpost of Roman army and had a small number of troops. He needed to maintain peace.

-History: Says of Pilate that he is “naturally inflexible – a blend of self-will and relentlessness” (Philo of Alexandria)

-Warned about Uprising: Historic records show that Pilate had already been warned about other uprisings in his region. Such a report with riots could cast hi position and future advancement. Riot in Jerusalem at Passover could be devastating.

-Signs: Deliberately offend the Jews by having his soldiers carry signs through Jerusalem with the likeness of Caesar. Considered idolatry by Jews, other governors never did it.

-Shields: with the engraved image of Tiberius Caesar, this was a suck up move on his part to Caesar that backfired. Jews went to sea/

-Treasury: Pilate took money from the Temple treasury to build aqueducts

-Slaughter: Dressed solider up as civilians and put into a riot so they could surprise attack and kill Jews.

-Pilates Wife: Her name was Claudia Procula, the illegitimate daughter of Claudia, the Emperor Tiberius’ third wife, and so she was the grand-daughter of Augustus. More connected politically then Pilot, perhaps helped him receive his post of “prefect of Judea.”

-Judgment seat: perhaps the reason why she could get her note to him while he is acting as judge.

What Questions Did Pilate Ask Jesus?

1. “Are you the King of the Jews?” Matthew 27:11
2. “Do you hear how many things they testify against you?” Matthew 27:13
3. “Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” John 18:35
4. “What is Truth” John 18:38
5. “Where are you from.” John 19:9
6. “You will not speak to me?...Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” John 19:10

1^st Question. “Are you the King of the Jews?” Matthew 27:11

                        Answer: “As you say so.” ESV/ NIV

                                        “It is as you say.” New American Standard / NKJ

-Ambiguous Answer: Jesus answer is ambiguous at best, “You have said so.”

~ If No: If he said ne he would be denying the truth.

~ If Yes: If yes he would have confessed to a crime in their misunderstanding. Yes Jesus was a King of the Jews but not in the way people had thought. He was not a political king. Not a King that would threaten Pilate, Caesarea or the Empire. Jesus kingship was spiritual, to be treason it had to be political.

~ Caesars Friend: “If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” John 18:12

~ Jesus Kingdom: ³⁶ Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” John 18:36

~ Jesus Purpose: “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” ³⁸ Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” John 18:37

~ Upside Down World: When a king is judged by the governor.

2^nd Question: “Do you hear how many things they testify against you?” Matthew 27:13

-What Where The Accusations Against Jesus:

-Blasphemy wouldn’t work, Pilate would roll his eyes over it.

Three Charges, all Political in Nature

“We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying the he himself is Christ, a king.” Luke 23:2

1. Misleading a nation (Terrorism)
2. Forbidding the paying of taxes (Tax Evasion), and
3. Claiming to be a king (Treason). All where political charges.

-Out of envy NOT allegiance to Caesar (Authorial Comment): ¹⁸ For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. People where really Jealous of Jesus. Herod wanted to see a miracle by Jesus. He was popular coming into Jerusalem.

-Herod: Luke 23:8 : ⁸ When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him.

-Jesus taught like they couldn’t, did miracles, healed people. People loved him and followed him.

-Application: Makes me wonder about when we bring charges against other people are they well founded our is it because of envy or jealousy in our own lives.

When Being Confronted with Guilt we see His Disposition and Desire:

1. Disposition: Humble- Incarnation could have called down his kingdom. Cannot remove guilt ourselves.
2. Desire: Clear Conscious: -Had a clear conscious before his Father: didn’t care what others thought, didn’t need to defend himself or give excuses.

 Application: Being Late for Work…..defending yourself in front of false accusations, trusting that God knows best.

3. Fathers Will: Desired to walk in Gods will:

-Jesus Responds to the Accusation - Silence: Jesus Did not defend Himself against these charges. But was Silence, Isaiah 53:7, To Pilates amazement.

-Could Have Pleaded: What could have Jesus said, I pay taxes just like everyone else….etc. Or I was not misleading my nation.

-Isaiah 53:7 “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

Pilate thought Jesus was Innocent.

-What Evil has he done? Matthew 27:23      

Pilate Gave in to a Guilt Verdict Because of Fear: ²⁴ So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying,

3 Observations to Make about Mathews gospel Only

1. Pilates Wife’s Dream: ¹⁹ 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.”

-Word for righteous man innocent “dikaio” can mean innocent man.

-Found Only In Matthews Gospel…. Might indicated that Pilate had an idea about what was transpiring with Jesus, and shared it with her. Giving substance for her dream. Heightens the fact of Jesus legal innocence. She might have heard Jesus on a previous occasions.

-Perhaps some guilt for she knew of his innocents but thought best not to have anything to do with him. Dreams and guilt.

-EMPHASIZING JESUS INNOCENCE!

2. Pilot Washes His Hands: ²⁴ So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.” EMPHASISING JESUS INNOCENCE!
3. Video Camera “See to it yourself.” Your responsibility - Judas Hangs Himself

³ 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, ⁴ saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” ⁵ And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.   EMPHASISING JESUS INNOCENCE!                                     

We Cannot see to our Guilt ourselves……….We need Gods help.

-Apart from God we are left to ourselves in dealing with the guilt in which we have.

-We don’t need to see to it ourselves because God can help us.

Oxford Definition of Guilt (Shame/Remorse)

1. “A feeling of having committed wrong or failed in an obligation.”
2. “A fact of having committed a specified or implied offence or crime.”                                 

Pain Receptors of the Soul / Homeo-Conscience: Conscience is the regulator of our lives, is works to establish a homeostasis of our souls. Definition: “The tendency towards a relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent elements…”

I. How Does Guilt Impact Us? – (The Extremes of Judases Guilt

1. The Impact of Judas’s Guilt Is an Extreme

Judas Changed His Mind: (“Repented himself” NAS/KN) (“was remorseful” NKJ). Mathew did not use the word “metanoeo” which means a genuine change of mind and will, but “metamebmai,” which merely means regret or sorrow. God didn’t cause the remorse but Judas simply was grieved over what he had done.

Judas Sought Help: Though he went to the High priest about it he was rejected just as much as Jesus was. No help for him. Just as they would put weight upon the shoulders of new converts and not lift a finger themselves. So the allowed Judas to feel the weight of his sin. Surely Judas throwing his money into the sanctuary (where only priest could go) was out of contempt for them and an indication that they were not without guilt concerning Jesus.

Application: I think it is important when seeking help for guilt to talk to someone who understands the grace and love of God. Other heap further guilt upon you. A friend told me how Christians continued to make him feel liked he had to continue repenting for his divorce. Yet don’t go to someone who will coddle you in your sin.

We cannot “see to our own guilt ourselves” vs 4: After Judas said” I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said. What is that to us? See to it yourself. Guilt will never go away without the help of God, you could die yet your guilt would still rests upon you for eternity as to this very day it is upon Judas.

-No Do-Overs: He could not take back what has happened for Jesus was condemned. Did not have a do over. Confess…………..Apologize……….Restitution

-Quick and Heavy Guilt: grieved heavily, great burned on his mind, felt that proper justice meant that he judge himself.

-Brief Statement: “he departed, and he went and hanged himself.” Matthew 27:5. Not much elaboration about the darkness that he was experiencing. This is usually how it is with people experience this degree of guilt. It is not shared much. It is oven hidden from spouses, children. People don’t want to confess it and incur more shame. Sit in silence until they cannot handle it anymore and they take their lives. In 24 hour period the guilt killed him.     

-Illustration: A Young man who had been married to recently found himself committing adulty within a year. Overcome with the grief he took his own life, punishing himself for what he had done. Unknown to himself that his wife was going to tell him that evening that she was pregnant. ………………..Tyler Doctor                   

2. The Impact of the Crowds Guilt is Another Extreme.

They Took Responsibility for Guilt but Where Not Ashamed: And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” Matthew 27:25.                                  

Conscience Vanishes: When the moral standard of right and wrong is blurred for a long time and the error is seen as the right, then one must ask if their conscious has lost all sensitivity to right and wrong.

-Illustration: Tina loved her job the thought she was good at it and co-works encouraged her on the great difference in the world she was making. She loves God and attend Church each Sunday and a bible study each week. Tina assisted in the surgical room in Planned Parenthood clinics; her job was to assist in abortions. As a teenager, she had convictions about the wrongness of abortion, yet in college her thoughts had changed, no she lives a double standard without knowing it. Her conscious has been quitted to the point that her guilty feeling has been removed.

Guilt Was Dispersed: No just one person had it but they all shared in the guilt. Sometimes when you identify with others who have the same believes as you even thought they are wrong it helps alleviate the weight of guilt. Yet does not remove the wrong of the crime.

Example: People committing crimes in a gang, Nazi killing multiple of Jews. Though it was accepted doesn’t mean that it was right. Hanging out with the wrong crowd in school.

Impact on our Children:  When we live life depleted of moral direction the impact and consequence is passed down too our children.

Historically: The Jews historically are known as the ones who crucified Jesus and this statement certainly hangs over them. Yet it refers to the crowed that took guilt for Jesus death, Not all Jews. Let us not read too much into this statement.

Though an extreme there is still Hope for You: don’t despair.

3. The Impact of Pilates Guilt is Common to Most of Us.

Pilates Knew He was Guilty because he Knowingly condemns an innocent man.  

²⁴ So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.”     

-Hand-Washing Suggests Guilt: His conscience told him that Jesus was innocent; Roman law said that an innocent man should not be put to death;

-Old Testament: If the ruling elders of a city were not able to determine the identity of a murder, the Mosaic law provided that they could publicly wash their hands, pray to God, and thereby absolve themselves of any guilt regarding their inability to render justice.

-Unable to remove it: Can’t get rid of guilt with water.

He Knew Jesus was Innocent! Was Trying to Relive his Guild

Easy Out: Would have been easier to find guilt so that he could be out of the situation.

-Wife thought Jesus was Innocent: Pilate’s wife had warned him about Jesus, not to have anything to do with him fore he was innocent. Perhaps the suffering she experience was something of conscious as well yet in her dream. But sent a word in the middle of the trial as he sat on the Judgment seat.

-Tried to release him: He even tried several times to let Jesus go: tried to give the case back to the Jewish leaders (John 19:6);

-Gave him over to Herod: he sent him to Herod so he could deal with him (Luke 23:6-12)

-Whip and Release: proposed giving Jesus a good whipping to teach him a lesson and then letting him go (Luke 23:16),

-Barabbas: suggest that Jesus be the one prisoner set free on Passover; and then washed his hands of any guilt. Pilot hand no good excuse to condemn Jesus but he was afraid of the crowd. So he released Barabbas the flogged Jesus.

-His Own Confession: “Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, ¹⁴ and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. ¹⁵ Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. ¹⁶ I will therefore punish and release him.” Luke 23:13-16

Pilate Gave in to condemning Jesus Because of out award Pressure not inward Justice

-Quotation: “Matthew insists that Pilate’s action was not prompted by desire for justice but by political and moral cowardice and fear of a mob.” (Carson571)                                                                                                                     

Our Guilt is Like Pilates in that:

We May Know what is Right but do what is wrong like Pilate (Give Jesus to be Executed):

-Examples: We should cheat on our income tax, we should talk ill of someone behind their back. We selfishly hid or horde our wealth as others go without, we judge people even though we do the same thing.

-When Guilty: we feel sad, anxious, fearful, sheepish, very depressed.

-Effects: Self Absorbed in Worry, Ignore your family, on-edge with your friends.

We Try to Relieve Our Guilt like Pilate in a Number of Ways

1. We May Relive Our Guilt by Handing Our Responsibly to Others (Hand Over to Herod):

-Eg. Was supposed to paint fence for weeks, feel bad so you hire someone you’re your wife is not home that weekend. Now you’re dealing with the guilt of the bill!!!

2. We May Relive Our Guilt by Minimize our Sin: (Whip and Release Innocent Man):

-Instead of blowing your pay check at the horse races, you loose a quarter of it at weekend poker with friends. Not So Shameful before your family.

3. We May Try To Relive Our Guilt by Keep Questioning Ourselves For An Excuse (Pilate question Jesus Looking for Guilt)

-Tyler did you really back into the neighbours car and not tell them, or did they simply park it by hind mine and not tell me their car was their.

-I can tell my friend that I lost his chainsaw that is in my garbage because he never paid me back those fifty dollars I lent him 2 years ago.

4. We May Relieve Our Guilt by insisting that We are Right and Others are Wrong (Pilates wife was Wrong)

-Awkward Dinner conversation

5. We May Try To Relieve Our Guilt by Changing the Rules of the Game (It is not about right and wrong but about Pleasing the Roman Government by quieting the riot).

-Uno / Paris Uno – New Standards Means No Guilt)

Pilates Guilt is Not Removed: Washing hands passing it over to others does not remove Guilt

“I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.”  

-We cannot see to our Guilt ourselves

Oxford Definition of Guilt (Shame/Remorse)

1. “A feeling of having committed wrong or failed in an obligation.”
2. “A fact of having committed a specified or implied offence or crime.”

2. Where Does Guilt Come From - Objective Guilt

1. Barabbas’s Guilt Was Not Personal and Subjective but Legal and Objective.

-Didn’t Speak: for Barabbas did not voice anything. He did not speak.

-Roman Law: can’t revolt against nation, led uprisings and kill Roman citizens.

-Barabbas was a  “lestes”, which can refer to a robber, more probably refers to insurrectionist.

-Insurrection- revolting against the established authorities, wanting to create chose if not take control.

-Murder- taking of another life, anger at a person.

-Imprisonment – sentenced to prison possibly awaiting execution

-Notorious – well known by everyone

2. Our Guilt, Not just against Other individuals or Governments but God:

THIS IS NOT A STORY ABOUT JESUS STANDING ON TRIAL BEFORE PILATE, BUT RATHER THE WORLD STANDING ON TRIAL BEFORE GOD.

-World walks oblivious to the guilty sentence over their lives. Much like Barabbas, though he was innocent by the law of the land, yet under God he still remains guilty.

-Against God: All of them had blood. Explicitly or Implied

-Judas: “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” Betrayed an innocence

-Crowed: “His blood be on us and on our children!”

-Pilate: “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.” 

 Just as Pilate had made a law thus being the governor, God is the one that establishes the law, and determines that he alone can forgive via cross.

-Barabbas: Jesus

We are All Faced With Guilt When Standing Before God

-Judas: Kiss God in betrayal

-Crowd: Cried “Crucify him” … Let Kill God, death of God Movement.

-Pilate: You cannot ignore him wash your hands of him

Pilates Question To the Crowed:

 ” ²² Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”                             

I have talked about the impact of guilt and where is comes form but how can we move from guilt to Grace?

How do we move from Guilt to Grace?

-We Can’t Use Barabbas, because he moves from Guilt to Guilt before God

-We Can’t Uses Jesus because Jesus moves from innocents to guilt.

-We need someone who moved form guilt to Grace to help us understand.

Two Thieves: perhaps the two thieves on the cross where companions of Barabbas, because they too were called “lestes,” perhaps Jesus didn’t just take his place but took his cross also?

Luke 23: 39  “ 39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him,[d] saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

1. The Thief Feared God: 40….“Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?”. He understood that no he stands before God.

-Barabbas: Oblivious to God, God was standing their beside him. . Perhaps his heart was like the mocking thief.

-Thief: fear God more than the Pilates of these world, more then the Ceasars (Governments) of this world, more then the crowds of this world (Public).  He did not fear the ones who could destroy his body but rather the ones who would destroy his soul.

2. The Thief Knew he was Guilty: “41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds;”

-Barabbas: if he was crucified he would have considered himself a hero to the people, and martyr for a cause, notorious in his death. But would not know of the Hell that awaited him.

Thief: He stole, he murdered, he was part of the uprising. Yet knew it was wrong and that he now was receiving his condemnation.

3. The Thief Knew Jesus was the true King: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

-True Justice Vs False Justice (Murder Released): Barabbas justice was wholly inadequate, it was simply amnesty, letting someone go without them having to pay the price, comes from human custom, and not Gods truth. Justice must be held up.

-True Transformation Vs False Transformation:

-Nature: Barabbas was a murder and insurrectionist so he was found guilty, but when he was innocent, waling free whe was still a murder and insurrectionist.

-Name: Barabbas’s name is an example of this, though it means “son of the father, he was never a son of the heavenly father.”

-Fruit: Beware of caring the name of Christians my friends, if there is now transformation in your life. If your thoughts and actions are the same as the day you made your profession of faith.

-True Exchange Vs a False Exchange: There was only a Substitute without Sacrifice. Yes Barabbas was set free because Jesus acted as a substitute, but God requires death, requires the sacrifice to uphold justice.

-Not innocence we are after but rightousness:

4. The Thief believed in Christ: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

-Only moments before this thief was mocking Jesus with the other thief. What changed? It was this, that God opened his heart so that he could believe.

-All that is required of us is faith, which in turn is a beautiful gift from God. It comes by hearing about his forgiveness. And just as the thief heard Jesus prayer from the cross “forgive them for they know not what they knew,” he knew that forgiveness was available for them and perhaps it is available for him.

-This morning as you hear about guilt  impact on your lives, and its cause, I want your to also hear the word of forgiveness this morning. How God grants you faith to believe and trust in him. I want you to find that as something as simple as trusting in Jesus work upon his cross we are able to move from guilt to grace!