Choose a title/Matthew 27:11-24
What do you think is the most important event in Jesus' life? There have been many events, but the most important events are the events of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This event in which Jesus Christ died on the cross for the forgiveness of all our sins is at the heart of the gospel.
Without the cross there is no gospel. Healing without the cross of Jesus Christ is not the gospel. The miracle of Jesus Christ without the cross is not Christianity. If it is not the message of the cross of Jesus Christ, it is not the truth.
We must not forget that the heart of Christianity is that Jesus tore His body and shed His blood on the cross to forgive our sins.
People are born into this world and live with many choices. There is the choice of a spouse, there is the choice of school, there is the choice of one's future. A good choice is a blessing, and a bad choice is a misfortune. However, if there is an event in this earth where Jesus Christ is chosen as my Savior and my God, that person is the happiest person in the world.
In today's text, there are several people who even gave up Christ to the cross. Today, let's take a look at what kind of choices those people made.
1. Pilate's Choice
Pilate is one of the most important figures in the crucifixion. Whenever I think of the cross of Jesus Christ, I can't forget Pilate.
It was the moment when Governor Pilate was about to begin the trial. My wife sent me an urgent message. “Jesus, whom you are judging today, is a right man. Never do any harm to him. Governor Pilate also knew that Jesus had been found innocent by examining him. He faces a dilemma of choosing what to do. Because even though Jesus was innocent, the high priests, elders, scribes, and a large crowd were watching. The crowd wanted Jesus to be executed. But Pilate's final choice was to do nothing.
At that time, only the governor had the authority to kill people, but he did not make the final judgment himself, but let the crowd decide. As he washed his hands in a basin, he said, "I am not responsible for this innocent blood." Today, there is one precious lesson that Pilate's choice has left us. It's a choice you decide to do nothing.
All people living on this earth today will also stand at the crossroads of this choice. What will I do with this Jesus who died on the cross for me? If he chooses to do nothing like Pilate, he will be a descendant of Pilate.
The Bible tells us not to boast about tomorrow. How do we know what will happen tomorrow? The Bible says, “Choose whom you will serve today” and “Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Decide next time, you don't have to do it today. Know that this voice is the voice of Pilate. Have you still had no choice about Jesus dying on the cross for my sins? Make your choice at this time today. Also, choose your devotion to the Lord today. Don't put it off until tomorrow. Tomorrow may not be our day.
2. Crowd's Choice
There was a crowd shouting to release the murder robber Barabbas and crucify Jesus. Everyone. Why do you think the crowd chose to give up Barabbas and crucify Jesus?
Just five days before Jesus was crucified, the crowds who were praising Jesus and fervently welcoming Jesus with palm branches are clamoring for Jesus to be crucified in five days. How can this crowd change like this?
They changed because Jesus did not meet their expectations. They did not want spiritual liberation when Jesus entered Jerusalem. They hoped for a Messiah who would bring political liberation and freedom from Roman oppression. But now look at this Messiah brought before Pilate's court. Seeing Jesus being beaten, spit on, ridiculed, and yet not responding, he must have felt that the Messiah was too powerless.
Jesus looked at Pilate in silence without answering a single word in front of Pilate's voice. In the eyes of a large crowd, this Jesus looked so helpless and weak and incompetent. It was said that there was no way to save the people from Rome. It looked like there was no chance of winning at all, he said. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . When he performed the miracle of the five fish, he seemed to have some strength, but Jesus, who was bleeding and falling in front of Pilate, seemed so weak. They rejected the Messiah because it was against their expectations.
Saints!
The Messiah did not come to this earth to satisfy our expectations and needs. Do not look to the cross to satisfy my expectations and needs. There is only one reason we look to the cross. It is because there is the amazing grace and love of the Lord to forgive me for my sins, which should be thrown into hell forever. Do not forget that if you look at the cross with the expectations and desires you have when looking at the cross, you can become like these people who have changed their minds in five days. As I would like, when we misinterpret Christianity as revealed in the Bible, like the disappointment of the crowd in Jerusalem that day, we may soon turn our backs on our religion and the church we attend.
Everyone. I hope you will meet Jesus whom the Bible speaks of. Please look at the cross that the Bible speaks of. There is only one reason why I look to the cross. It is because of the amazing love and grace of Jesus Christ who paid off all my sins on the cross for this sinner who deserves to be thrown into hell.
3. Jesus' Choice
Jesus did not die on the cross out of necessity. The Lord could have avoided the cross as much as He wanted. But the Lord chooses the cross. With this choice of the Lord, Barabbas, the greatest murder robber in the world, comes to life.
According to church tradition, Barabbas later became a Christian. He is said to have watched the crucifixion of Jesus Christ from a distance. And it is said that the moment he looked at the cross, these crys began to pour out from the depths of his heart. "Messiah, you died for me"
Barabbas, who became a Christian, testified that Jesus Christ was the true Messiah to everyone he met and preached the gospel throughout his life.
There is no greater event in human history than the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. There is no more wonderful blessing for us personally than to realize this crucifixion and become a child of God.
conclusion
Thousands of people cursed Jesus with their lips and cried for crucifixion. But Jesus gave them a chance to repent. And you gave me a chance to commit. That opportunity was the sending of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. On the day of Pentecost, through the Spirit-filled Apostle Peter, the crowd makes the right choice. Repent of your sins and commit your devotion to Jesus Christ, who died on the cross and rose from the dead.
I ask you this Holy Week. Did you choose Jesus, who died on the cross, to be my Lord and my God? There is no greater choice, no greater blessing than this. But do not be satisfied with this choice alone. Now, let's make a resolution to live according to His will and words. I bless you in the name of the Lord that you do not miss this opportunity that the Lord gives you during this troubled week.