Lenten Season Message  - March 3, 2021
The Trial of the First Century
Matthew 27:22

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The Eternal Question: What Must I Do With Jesus?

At the scene of our text Jesus has completed His Upper Room experience, the last Passover, or the First Communion. He has been to the garden and prayed, Judas has betrayed Him to the authorities, Peter has denied Him, and now Judas is dead.

This is the trial of the first century. The man that is on trial for treason is Jesus, a man who has done nothing but good. One day Jesus was standing in a crowd and a woman that had been sick for twelve years felt like she could be healed if she could touch the hem of His robe. The woman made her way to Jesus and succeeded in touching the hem of His garment and was made whole. This is the man on trial.

This man has been brought to trial by religious fanatics. Jesus is being brought before Pilate. The Eternal is being brought before the earthly (John 6:38). He has been in Pilate’s court room before and he found no fault in Him. Even Pilate’s wife was having dreams about the character of Jesus. In a dream, God showed her that Jesus had unblemished character. In the dream, it was revealed unto her that Jesus was a just man. Mrs. Pilate did
not want her husband to condemn a just man. Jesus was just in His dealings. He went to the poor as well the rich. Nobody could say He was partial. Even though the Jews could not find anything worthy of a conviction, they wanted Jesus dead.

The fickle crowd was angry and anger will develop a mob attitude. Just a few days ago they loved Jesus. They were cutting down Palm branches and making a path for Him. Just a few days ago, they were shouting Hosanna! Just a few days ago, they wanted Him to be their king. How short lived praise is. A few days ago, His popularity couldn’t be beat. But the tide has turned. Four days can make a lot of difference. 

Now this good man, this just man is standing before Pilate; the Eternal Judge of the universe is before Pilate. I don’t know about you but I wouldn’t want to be in Pilate’s dilemma! His dilemma is: Jesus is not guilty and his wife has had a dream. Not only has she dreamed, but she has advised her husband. What a dilemma!

Pilate was a weak procurator; he was a weak judge. He could be persuaded by his voting constituency. They demanded His crucifix. They said if He was our king, He would have entered Jerusalem riding upon a white horse with an entourage following Him. But He came in riding upon an ass.

The Bible says, when Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, he asked, “What must I do with Jesus which is called Christ?” It was a personal question, and the same question is facing us today. What must I do with Jesus? Many of us have the same answer. Crucify Him! Or Away with Jesus!

The crowd made the decision; and today the crowd has made the same decision. Give us Barabbas, we don’t want no Jesus. Pilate said I know what I will do; I’ll wash my hands of the situation. So he got a basin and put some water in it and washed his hands before the crowd. 

But I stopped by to tell us that when it comes to Jesus, there is no neutral position. There’s three things you can do.:
1. You can decide to receive Him or reject Him.
2. You can obey or disobey.
3. You can openly confess Him or deny Him.
I don’t know about you but my mind is made up. I’m on my way up, going home with the
Lord. Give me Jesus, God’s Son! Anybody that can send a man fishing, he pulls enough money out of a fish’s mouth to pay taxes with; I want that man.

Tonight you can settle this eternal question. You can have Jesus. You don’t want the blood
of Jesus on your hands. Give me Jesus, because His blood can wash me whiter than snow (Isaiah 1:18). He said, though your sins be red like crimson, He is able to wash you. Though they be red like crimson, He can wash you. Have you accepted Him as your Saviour? Trust Him tonight. Solomon said, “Trust in the Lord”, lay up your treasures in heaven, thieves can’t break in there. O praise His Holy name tonight! He is the way, the
truth and the light; if you want to see Jesus, you must accept the finished works of Calvary. Yes. He died, but most of all, He rose for our justification, early Sunday morning, a great
while before day. He’s alive for evermore. Thank God!

Pastor, Rev. Dr. Cullian W. Hill

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