Sermons From Enemies – Hail King of the Jews is our message for the 4th Sunday in Lent. We are continuing our series on the sermons offered by Jesus’ enemies.
If these soldiers in Jerusalem had known that the man they were hurting and humiliating wasn’t a criminal, wasn’t a dreamer, was more than an ordinary citizen, was greater even than a Roman citizen, so much higher in rank and authority that he could have annihilated them with a word, that mindless, messy scene outside Pilate’s throne room would never, never have occurred. But their sermon and their actions betrayed their ignorance. They had no idea who he was. None of the rulers of this age understood it, Paul later explained, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Co 2:8).
What’s amazing isn’t that human beings can be that thoughtlessly cruel to other human beings, for no good reason. It happens every day, in the best and highest circles. What’s amazing is this man who endured all this was willing to forgive it.
Father, forgive them, this man prayed from the cross, for they do not know what they are doing (Lk 23:34). The Apostle Paul came to acknowledge his shocking past when he’d waged war against the first followers of Jesus Christ: I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor, and a violent man, [but] I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief …. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life (1 Ti 1:13,15,16). You may not remember or you may not want to remember all the stupid words, all the defiant actions, all the disloyal thoughts you have been guilty of against Jesus. He endured ignorant mocking, spitting, a crown of thorns, all of it, to forgive you.
Want to hear more? Watch this week’s message taken from John 19 – Sermons From Enemies – Hail King of the Jews.
Book(s): John
Series: Sermons From Enemies
Tag(s): Lent
Speaker(s): Fred Guldberg