Criminal

---

Criminal (Understanding the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ)

John 18-19

Lavrentiy Pavlovich Beria (March 29, 1899 – December 23, 1953)

1

Criminal

“Show me the man and I will show you his crime.” ---Lavrentiy Pavlovich Beria

Criminal (Understanding the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ)

John 18-19

2

Criminal: Beria’s “Due Process” Step One: Determine the Verdict Step Two: Incriminate the Accused Step Three: Convict in Kangaroo Court

Step Four: Execute the Accused Step Five: Identify Accessories After the Fact

Criminal (Understanding the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ)

John 18-19

3

Criminal During 1937 and 1938: 1,750,000 were tried and executed. (over 1,000 people a day were shot)

Communism: A History (Modern Library Chronicles) by Richard Pipes, pg 67

Criminal (Understanding the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ)

John 18-19

4

Criminal “Show me the man and I will show you his crime.” ---Lavrentiy Pavlovich Beria (March 29, 1899 – December 23, 1953)

Criminal (Understanding the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ)

John 18-19

5

Open your Bibles to John chapter 18 (and 19).

(page 904 in the ‘Pew Bibles’)

Criminal We will explore 5 ways in which the arrest and execution of Jesus Christ was criminal so that we can understand and respond to the crucifixion, rightly.

6

I.

Criminal: Predetermined Verdict

13 First

they led him to Annas, for he was the fatherin-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people. (John 18:13-14)

I.

Criminal: Predetermined Verdict

3

Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5 But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people." (Matthew 26:3-5)

7

II.

Criminal: Self-Incrimination

19

The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, "I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said."

II.

Criminal: Self-Incrimination

22

When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest?" 23 Jesus answered him, "If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?“ 24 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. (John 18:19-24)

8

II.

Criminal: Self-Incrimination

13

And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. 14 And they came and said to him, "Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone's opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?"

II.

Criminal: Self-Incrimination

15

But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, "Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it." 16 And they brought one. And he said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said to him, "Caesar's." 17 Jesus said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they marveled at him. (Mark 12:13-17)

9

III.

Criminal: Kangaroo Court

Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning. (John 18:28)

III.

Criminal: Kangaroo Court

59

Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61 and said, "This man said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.'" 62 And the high priest stood up and said, "Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?" 63 But Jesus remained silent.

10

III.

Criminal: Kangaroo Court

And the high priest said to him, "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." 64 Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?" They answered, "He deserves death." (Matthew 26:59-66)

IV. Criminal: Execute the Accused 12

…Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, "If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar." 15 They cried out, "Away with him, away with him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar." 16 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. 18 … they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. (John 19:12-18)

11

IV. Criminal: Execute the Accused 22

"Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know-- 23 this Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. (Acts 2:22-23)

V. Criminal: Accessories After the Fact After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventyfive pounds in weight. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. (John 19:38-42)

12

V. Criminal: Accessories After the Fact 4

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned-- every one-- to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah. 53:3-6)

Criminal Step One: Determine the Verdict Step Two: Incriminate the Accused Step Three: Convict in Kangaroo Court Step Four: Execute the Accused Step Five: Identify Accessories After the Fact

13

VI. Clemency for the Criminals 28 After

this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), "I thirst." 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:28-30)

VI. Clemency for the Criminals And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments. (Luke 23:34)

14

VI. Clemency for the Criminals 8 but

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. (Romans 5:8-9)

Criminals: About Your Clemency Christians, we have been pardoned of our crimes and given a new lease on life by His payment for our sins on the cross. How then shall you live?

15

Application: (I will’s)

Criminal (Understanding the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ)

John 18-19

16