|
|
Who Is Responsible For The Death of Jesus? Introduction: We sing songs which speaks of the sacrifice of Jesus, the reason and love for that sacrifice on the cross. Songs like "Because He Lives"; "Is It For Me?; and "I'm The One." An innumerable number of books and articles have been written on His death and who was responsible for it. This is my attempt to understand this subject and we can answer it on a number of different levels. I) Deity's Role In the Death of Jesus A) God, the Father 1. We often speak of the plan of salvation and God having formed that plan even before man was created. a. In the Garden of Eden we have the first mention of the seed of woman who would crush the head of Satan and Satan would bruise His heel. Genesis 3.15 b. Many Old Testament prophecies of the coming of the Messiah: Micah 5.2 place of birth, Isaiah 7.14 the virgin birth. c. Prophecies concerning the establishment of the kingdom and the church, Isaiah 9.6-7. Every kingdom must have a rule of law, a lawgiver, a head, a foundation, or a founder. 2. Jesus came because man needed a sacrifice for his sins. 3. God did this because of His love for man, Romans 5.6-11. a. Man did not force or cause God to do this. b. God demonstrated His love for man c. God reconciled man to Him through the blood of Jesus. 4. Ultimately we can say that God knowingly sent Jesus to die for our sins. B) Jesus, the Son of God 1. Existed in heaven before His birth; "I AM" John 8.58 2. He knew what was ahead of Him, Luke 9.51 a. He spoke of being betrayed, Mark 10.32-34 b. Jesus knew His fate at Jerusalem. 3. He knowingly entered and laid down His life for us, John 10.18 C) The Holy Spirit, in the incarnation 1. That which was conceived in Mary would not of happened except for the work of the Holy Spirit, Luke 1.35; Matthew 1.18,20 2. It was the Holy Spirit that revealed the prophecies of the crucifixion of Jesus. So He made this possible. II) Mankind A) The Jews 1. The Bible points out that Jesus came to His own and they received Him not, John 1.11. a. Caiaphas' prophecy concerning Jesus, John 11.47-53 b. The Jewish leaders rejected Jesus, John 11.57 2. We see the intentional mockery of a trial. a. False charges of blasphemy against Jesus. He claimed to be The Son of God b. The charge of sedition against the Roman government; which they knew to be untrue. 3. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter told the Jewish audience they had killed the Son of God by "lawless hands", Acts 2.23b. 4. I think we can understand why many say the Jews killed Jesus. B) The Romans 1. Pilate, a Roman ruler, sentenced Jesus to death, Matthew 27.22-26 a. He called Jesus "this just Person" b. Mark 15.15 says Pilate wanted to gratify the people 2. Pilate was a pretty smart person, he did not just give in but found out the real reason, John 19.7-8 3. The Roman soldiers executed Jesus by nailing Him to the cross, and then gambled for His cloak, John 19.23-24 4. We can say that without the Roman ruler's consent and Roman soldiers obedience, Jesus would not of been crucified. C) Us 1. We did not send Jesus to earth to die. 2. We did not literally betray Him and cry out crucify Him. 3. We did not condemn Him and nail Him to the cross. 4. WE are the reason God sent Him. 5. We are the reason Jesus came to earth. 6. We are the reason the Holy Spirit came upon Mary. 7. It was for us Jesus died on the cross, Matthew 1.21. D) Dare we to crucify Him again? 1. Those who reject Jesus show the same contempt as the Jewish leaders and the crowd who cried out "crucify Him." 2. Those who had obeyed the Gospel but gone back into the world, Hebrews 6.4-6; 10.26ff. Conclusion: Some see the death of Jesus and respond with indifference. Others see why He died. Which are you?
|