Exploring God’s Word with Brad Thurston

Silence Speaking Louder Than Words

Episode Summary

Luke 23:1-32 There are times when our words can be more detrimental than valuable. Indeed, there are times, when silence speaks louder than words. Those are the times when we need to put our faith in God’s ways, trusting Him to work all things for His Glory. Our text this morning demonstrates in the life of Jesus just such a time!

Episode Notes

Trials 2,3, and 4

Pilate to Herod to Pilate

Lies and deceptions, pressure and rioting of the mob prevail over justice

Herod finds no fault, Pilate declare Jesus innocent 3 times:

            Innocent of charges brought against him of insurrection against Rome

            Innocent of leading people astray

            Innocent of anything deserving death

The rioting mob

Look at the people involved: Barabbas and what he experiences

Simon and the cross

The weeping women

Those not involved, both multitude of people and secret leaders

The evil doers are not named!

The two criminals who observed what was happening

All in the space of ca. 8 hours – not even 24 hours have passed from the Passover meal they had shared.

In this time Jesus responds to Pilate once to say what others say, not what he is saying about himself. He is not denying it but also leaves it up to each individual to make that decision!  He still does!

He then speaks to the Women and the multitudes differently: he is back in prophet mode, and the women are a type of Jerusalem and what will happen, fulfilling the prophecy of Hosea 10:8.

What are the effects on the people involved?

1. We cannot shift the blame to the Jews or Rome, averting the consequences of an innocent one dying for our sins.  The blame falls squarely on sinners, as Jesus becomes sin for us!
2. Pilate is making a judgement call that is expedient due to the circumstances, not based on fact or truth
3. The leaders know that they are lying and hiding from facts, outright sin with consequences
4. The mob is bloodthirsty, (followers of Barabbas?) and caught up in the emotion of the hour
5. The soldiers are doing duty and want to keep crowd control
6. Herod wants to see miracles that he had heard about, but find no fault, is just disappointed
7. Multitude is impotent to do anything, fear and grief stricken
8. Simon is honored as a proselyte to carry the cross – not the disciples who said they would and could. The blood of Jesus soaking him
9. The women who are grief stricken, but also powerless
10. The two thief’s who observe all that is going on
11. Barabbas who is set free who knows his sins are worthy of death.
12. The reader who is brought into the scene who cannot escape their own compliance with their own sin.

How do we react when our sin is so clearly before us? Do we hide it, shift the blame, get depressed, or do we face it with brokenness and repentance? What do we do with the sin which separates us from God?