Condemned

Summary

Today we continue our exploration of the scene Mark preached on last week- Jesus’ trial before Pilate. This story continues the journey to the cross and even the bigger story of the gospel of John- that of Jesus’ kingship as well as the many who turn against him and fail to understand. In my sermon I plan to spend time with each of the main characters of the story: Pilate, the Jewish leaders, and Jesus, noticing their words, actions, and the roles they fulfill in the story. Both Pilate and the Jewish leaders are complicit in Jesus’ death in different ways. Shockingly, the Jewish leaders even deny their loyalty to God as the one God in their efforts to protect their nation and law. But Jesus, of course, is up to something else altogether. He’s fairly quiet and in the background in this scene. He is mostly acted upon, and this makes me think of the many others in our world who are acted upon, silenced, and powerless. And Jesus is right there with them. But this story will also continue to reveal his power, his kingdom, and his verdict of a situation that is so familiar and yet so surprising.