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Luke 23 01-05 THE KING AND HIS KINGDOM 01 Luke 23 01 The evil of man’s heart
📖 Luke 23:1-5
Sun07Nov2021 – The evil of man’s heart - Luke 23:01-05 - THE KING OF THE JEWS (01) - Bible reading: Acts 4:8-11
As we look at the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus, let us pray that deep changes will happen in our lives. May we be drawn closer to Jesus and reveal more of His character and His image in us.
We are now at Luke 23:1-5, which we have titled as the KING OF THE JEWS. We have completed the previous study of Luke 22:63-71, which we had titled the CONVICTION OF JESUS BY HUMANITY. This study consisted of 17 lessons.
Luke 23:1 Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate.
As we concluded in the previous study, the decision was taken by the Jews to put Jesus to death. Instead of taking the action themselves, they wanted Jesus to be put to death by the Roman authority, which was represented by Pilate, the Roman Governor.
Why did the Jews want Jesus to be put to death by Rome? Why did they not execute Jesus, themselves?
John 18:29-32 Pilate then went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this Man?" (30) They answered and said to him, "If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you." (31) Then Pilate said to them, "You take Him and judge Him according to your law." Therefore the Jews said to him, " It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death ,” (32) that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die.
There were several reasons why the Jews took Jesus to Pilate and have Pilate put Jesus to death. We will examine some of these reasons and learn the lessons that the Lord has for us.
In all that we read and understand, we must see the wickedness of man’s heart, a mirror is being placed before our own hearts.
The first reason is that the Jews did not have the power to implement capital punishment.
The Jews told Pilate that it was not lawful for them to put anyone to death. This was a crafty response of the Jews. Roman law, at that time, prevented anyone from implementing the death sentence, except Rome.
They were, therefore, wanting to pretend as though they were very much under Roman rule, by bringing Jesus to Pilate and having him execute Jesus.
We also know that this was a hypocritical stance of the Jews, for very soon, in the case of Stephen, the Jews stoned him to death. (Act 7:58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.) They took the law of executing a person into their hands and flouted the Roman decree.
Therefore, this was a pretentious position that they took before Pilate, to win his goodwill.
What would be the next reason as to why the Jews wanted Pilate to crucify Jesus?
This was the time of the Passover, and the crowds were gathered in Jerusalem. We remember that they arrested Jesus and conducted the trial at a time when the crowds were not present, the crowds that adored Jesus.
The morning was beginning to dawn and the crowds, which were not part of the arrest and trial of Jesus, would be stirring. The Jews did not want to be blamed directly for the death of Jesus but wanted Jesus to be killed by the Romans.
They wanted to be in favour of Pilate and they also did not want the crowds to go against them. They needed the support of the crowds. So, to the crowds, they could claim that it was Rome that put Jesus to death. This would make the crowds kind toward them and at the same time, be angry with Rome.
It seems as though the Jews not only implemented, effectively, their plan of crucifying Jesus but they were also successful in fulfilling all their evil manoeuvrings.
This is what man thinks. He can implement his evil plans and no one will come to know.
Whereas, as the early church began to get on its feet, all the hypocrisy and cunningness of the Jews were brought to light, and they were confronted with the evil of their heart.
Numbers 32:23 But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.
Peter and John did not spare the general Jewish public nor their leaders for the sin of putting Jesus to death on the cross.
Acts 3:13-15 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. (14) But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, (15) and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
Acts 4:8-11 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, " Rulers of the people and elders of Israel : (9) If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, (10) let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. (11) This is the 'STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED BY YOU BUILDERS, WHICH HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE.'
Paul does the same in Antioch in Pisidia.
Acts 13:27-28 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers , because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. (28) And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death.
God knows the wickedness of man’s heart. Man may scheme all he wants and think that he can get away with his evil plans but all of man’s plans will be brought to light and he will be stripped before God and man.
I Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts . Then each one’s praise will come from God.
Man will have to face the wrath and judgement of God.
Thought to ponder
Do not be aghast when evil people succeed. God is still on the throne.