Truth for the week:

JESUS WAS WRONGFULLY CONVICTED AND UNJUSTLY SENTENCED TO DEATH IN FULFILLMENT OF SCRIPTURE FOR OUR SALVATION.

Verse for the week: 

This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. Acts 2:23-24

1. How many trials did Jesus have before being crucified? Name them.
2. What charge was made against Jesus in the Jewish trials? Was he guilty? Explain.
3. What charge was made against Jesus in the Gentile trials? Was he guilty? Explain.

For Kids: Read Luke 23:1-2. What charges were made against Jesus in the three Gentile trials? Was Jesus guilty of these charges? Why? (See answer to question 3.)

Prayer:  Father we praise you for sending your Son Jesus to endure trials and punishment, ridicule, and death for our redemption. Save the hearers of this message.

Answers: 1) Six trials. THE TRIAL BEFORE ANNAS (Jn. 18:13-23) THE TRIAL BEFORE CAIAPHAS (Mt. 26:57-68, Mk. 14:53-65, Lk. 22:63-65, John 18:24) THE TRIAL BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN (Mt. 27:1, Mk. 15:1, Lk. 22:66-71) THE TRIAL BEFORE PILATE (Mt. 27:2, 11-14, Mk. 15:1-5, Lk. 23:1-6, Jn. 18:18-38, Lk. 23:7-12) THE TRIAL BEFORE HEROD (Luke 23:7-12) THE SECOND TRIAL BEFORE PILATE (Mt. 27:15-26, Mk. 16:6-15, Lk. 23:13-25, Jn. 18:39-19:16). 2) The Jewish people accused Jesus of blasphemy. No. He is God the Son. 3) He was accused before the Gentiles of being a threat to peace in Rome, and a threat to the king’s throne. No. Jesus encouraged submission and good citizenship. He told them to give Caesar what is Caesar’s. He was a threat to the Jewish leaders religiously.

Truth for the week:

JESUS WAS WRONGFULLY CONVICTED AND UNJUSTLY SENTENCED TO DEATH IN FULFILLMENT OF SCRIPTURE FOR OUR SALVATION.

Verse for the week: 

This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. Acts 2:23-24

1. Read Luke 23:6-15. What do Herod and Pilate say about Jesus? Why? Why does Pilate punish Jesus and crucify him?
2. Explain the extent in which Jesus was innocent. Explain why this is important.
3. Why do we need to be reminded of Jesus’ innocence?

For Kids:

Read Luke 23:6-15. What do Herod and Pilate say about Jesus? Do they find him to be guilty? Why? Why does Pilate punish Jesus and crucify him? (See answer to question 1.)

Prayer: Father we praise you for the glorious work of salvation you accomplished for us through your Son Jesus. Lord Jesus we praise you for taking on flesh and living as our representative and dying as our substitute and perfect sacrifice.

Answers:

1) They find no fault in Jesus because there wasn’t. Pilate kills Jesus because it is good for his reputation. He kills him to remain a person of influence and power.2) He was without sin. He lived the perfect life for us and laid his perfect life down in our place so that we through faith alone in him alone could be forgiven of sin and restored to a right relationship with God. 3) Because we are not innocent. We need a perfect substitute and sacrifice. Jesus was that for us.

Truth for the week:

JESUS WAS WRONGFULLY CONVICTED AND UNJUSTLY SENTENCED TO DEATH IN FULFILLMENT OF SCRIPTURE FOR OUR SALVATION.

Prayer: Father we praise you for the saving work you have accomplished for us through Jesus. We stand amazed at how you work through people both good and evil—situations both good and bad for your purposes, our joy, and your glory.

Answers: 2) Jesus was delivered up in accordance with the definite plan and foreknowledge of God and was also killed at the hands of wicked men. Man meant Christ’s crucifixion for evil, but God meant it for good. While the actions of the Jewish religious leaders and the Roman rulers were evil, God’s work in His Son’s crucifixion is glorious.

Truth for the week:

JESUS WAS WRONGFULLY CONVICTED AND UNJUSTLY SENTENCED TO DEATH IN FULFILLMENT OF SCRIPTURE FOR OUR SALVATION.

1. Read Luke 23:18-25. Who was Barabbas?

2. What does the Jewish leaders push for Barabbas’ release reveal about their thoughts on the charges brought against Jesus? Explain.

3. Why are they wanting to kill Jesus?

For Kids: Read Luke 23:18, 24. Explain the gospel lesson we learn from the release of Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus. (See answer to question 3 on Friday).

Prayer: Father we praise you that you sent your innocent Son to Calvary to be treated as if he were guilty so that we could be declared innocent. Lord Jesus, we are so thankful for your sacrifice. We deserve death and judgment, but in you we receive forgiveness and life. You alone are worthy of all our praise. You alone deserve our allegiance, devotion, and love.

Answers:

1) Barabbas was a radical insurrectionist. He was a murderer. 2) Their seeking Barabbas to be freed should have shown Pilate, that the Jewish religious leaders cared little about the charges against Jesus. They have little concern for someone guilty of leading a revolt against Rome because that is what Barabbas was guilty of. 3) They want Jesus dead because he claimed to be the Christ of God.

Truth for the week:

JESUS WAS WRONGFULLY CONVICTED AND UNJUSTLY SENTENCED TO DEATH IN FULFILLMENT OF SCRIPTURE FOR OUR SALVATION.

Verse for the week: 

This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. Acts 2:23-24

1. What did the release of a guy like Barabbas and execution of a guy like Jesus reveal about the character of Pilate?

2. If someone were to try and place Pilate in a positive light and say he was not to blame for Jesus’ crucifixion, how would you counter this?

3. Read Luke 23:18, 24. Explain the gospel lesson we learn from the release of Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus.

For Kids: Have you been forgiven? Have you been restored to God through faith alone in Christ alone? You must believe on Christ to be saved. You must trust in him alone to be rescued from sin and death—judgment and hell. Would you turn from your sin and give your life to Christ today and be saved?

Prayer: Father we pray for the hearers of this message who do not know you. Show them their sinfulness and need for salvation. Bring them to the end of themselves and to the feet of your Son Jesus in faith. Give them eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts to understand your message.

Answers:

1) Pilate was a spineless leader who lacked conviction. He was an unjust ruler who cared about public opinion and personal gain more than what was right and good. He was a wicked leader who was responsible for the death of Jesus. 3) Christ, who is innocent, has been treated as if he were guilty, so that we, the guilty, could be declared innocent and set free from sin and death. That is the gospel. That is the reason Jesus came.