The Cross and the Choice: An Analysis of the Trial of Jesus

[00:07:07] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Let us pray.
[00:07:37] .
[00:07:41] .
[00:07:41] .
[00:07:43] .
[00:08:04] The Gospel of the Lord
[00:08:55] Let us pray.
[00:09:19] In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
[00:09:48] Amen.
[00:09:49] Let us pray.

[00:10:20] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
The name of Jesus.
[00:10:22] Let's stand together as we sing.

[00:10:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
At the name of Jesus Everything shall bow Every tongue a blessing
[00:10:54] In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
[00:11:01] Amen.
[00:11:16] For a season to receive a name From the lips of sinners unto which He came
[00:11:35] We bore him, spotless to the last, Brought him back victorious when through death he passed.
[00:12:01] All that is not holy, all that is not true From immeasurable gain, in temptation's hour Where He's willing for you, here is my empire
[00:12:42] In this modern story, for the earth to reign.
[00:13:04] For a reason in life, the outlaw is wrong.
[00:13:05] Let your hearts and face live.

[00:13:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Well, good morning.
[00:13:16] It is great to see you here in the house of the Lord.
[00:13:20] A great, great group gathered together here on this second Sunday of 2026.
[00:13:25] And we are so thankful to have you here at Trinity Baptist Church joining with us to worship and praise and honor and glorify the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ.
[00:13:37] And so let me welcome you on behalf of the Trinity Baptist family if you're visiting today.
[00:13:41] We especially want to say a word of welcome to you and thank you for being a part of our service this morning.
[00:13:59] Remind you of your time here at Trinity but there's also a guest card attached there and we want you to take a moment and fill that out if you will place it in the offering plate when it comes by just a little bit later in the service so we can have record of your visit here with us today and again we are thankful that you're a part
[00:14:16] What God's going to do in all of our hearts gathered here this morning.
[00:14:19] So if you'll just lift your hand about like this as they make their way down the aisle, hold it up there high enough and long enough for them to spot you, and they will get this in your hands.
[00:14:28] And again, we are grateful that you're a part of what's going on here.
[00:14:32] Others of you are joining us via livestream, and we want to welcome you into the sanctuary at Trinity Baptist Church.
[00:14:38] We want to invite you to participate in every aspect of the service today.
[00:14:45] So when we sing, as we've already been singing this morning, you join in and sing along with us.
[00:14:50] When we pray, we invite you to go to the Lord's throne with us in prayer.
[00:14:54] And then in a few minutes when we open God's Word for the message, we invite you to get a copy of God's Word wherever you may be listening from this morning and turn with us and follow along as the Lord speaks into your heart
[00:15:07] No matter where you may be, as we're just joining our hearts together in unity to praise His name and to lift our voices in glory to Him.
[00:15:16] So would you join with me as we go to Him in prayer this morning?
[00:15:20] Father, we do want to begin this service just so grateful for who You are, so grateful that we can declare with all authority that You are the King of kings and Lord of lords.
[00:15:34] That we can declare that one of these days your word has promised that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that you, Jesus, are indeed this King.
[00:15:46] And Lord, I pray that this morning as we're gathered in your house that we would just have ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts that are open to receive what you want to say to us.
[00:16:00] Today, Father, we visit one of the most incredible passages of Scripture in all the Bible.
[00:16:08] A place where we all need to be reminded.
[00:16:11] A place where we all need to see with our own eyes.
[00:16:16] A place where we all need to experience Your presence and Your power speaking into our lives.
[00:16:27] Lord, there's not a soul under the sound of my voice this morning
[00:16:31] That is here by accident or listening in by accident.
[00:16:37] But Father, we believe that you have orchestrated by your sovereign hand for us to be in this place to hear your word.
[00:16:50] And Father, to respond as your spirit leads us.
[00:16:56] And I just pray now, God, that you would envelop the sanctuary
[00:17:01] and that when we leave here in a little while we would be able to say unequivocally it has been good to be in the house of our God.
[00:17:12] We love you and we praise you and we worship you and we do all of this and ask all of this
[00:17:22] In the name of Jesus and all God's people said, Amen.
[00:17:39] and we want to invite the children to make your way up to my right and your left right here at the door where they'll be welcomed into children's church this morning so stand if you will where you are turn around and shake a few hands hug a few necks and welcome each other here into the house of the Lord as we prepare to worship this morning

[00:18:57] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Let us pray.

[00:19:23] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy
[00:19:51] Amazing love, how can it be That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

[00:20:10] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Amazing love,

[00:20:14] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
And now my God should stand for me He let His Father's throne ascend
[00:20:31] So free, so infinite, His grace, lifted Himself above all thought, and bled for us.
[00:20:53] of Christ Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Christ of Latter-day Saints
[00:21:20] And now, my God, choose Thy glory.

[00:21:47] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
O God of nations, now I dwell, Jesus and all within His mind.

[00:21:50] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

[00:22:17] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Amen.

[00:22:22] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene, and wonder
[00:23:21] He prayed not my will but thine He had no tears for his own Christmas went just above your mind
[00:23:38] He took my sins and my sorrows He made them His very own
[00:24:04] He bore the burden to Calvary, And suffered and died alone.
[00:24:16] How marvelous, how wonderful, And my song shall ever be!
[00:24:24] How marvelous, how wonderful is my Savior's love for me!
[00:24:50] When the dawn comes on to glory, His face I at last shall see.
[00:24:52] T'will be my joy through the ages to sing of His love for me.
[00:24:56] Amen.
[00:25:08] Let's give Him a shout of praise this morning.

[00:25:19] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Give Him the glory.

[00:25:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Good morning.

[00:25:38] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
I'd like to greet all those who are viewing online.
[00:25:40] If you'd like to join us in giving and information about our church, go to TrinityBaptist.com.
[00:25:48] Please join me as we pray.
[00:25:51] Lord God, we thank you for this beautiful day.
[00:25:53] We thank you for the freedom we have to join here in your name.
[00:25:58] We thank you, Lord, for the fellowship here at Trinity, a welcoming family, and help us to support each other to honor you and to bless our community.
[00:26:08] Lord, we continue to lift up the planning and the efforts for our Christian school.
[00:26:13] Please just give us wisdom and bring the right people, the programs, and everything to honor you.
[00:26:20] Lord, we lift up our brothers and sisters who are having different struggles, particularly lift up Sy, our brother, and thank you for the testimony he's had, even as he had ongoing struggles medically.
[00:26:34] Lord, we thank you for this privilege of being your ambassadors here, and in this time we're able to share the many bountiful blessings you've showered us with,
[00:26:44] and just use these to build your kingdom to honor you.
[00:26:47] Lord, we pray this all in the precious name of your Son and our Savior Jesus Christ.
[00:26:54] Amen.

[00:27:19] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Let us pray.

[00:27:36] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Some say life is just a series of decisions We make choices, we live and learn Now I'm standing at a crossroad And I must choose which way to turn
[00:28:10] Down the one road is all the world can offer All its power, its wealth and fame
[00:28:26] And down the other just a man With nail scars in his hands But there is mercy in his eyes And there is power in his name I choose Jesus
[00:28:44] I choose Jesus I choose Jesus Without a solitary doubt I choose Jesus Not for miracles But for loving me Not just for Bethlehem But for Calvary
[00:29:13] Not for a day, but for eternity I choose Jesus
[00:29:29] I have decided to follow Jesus I have decided to follow Jesus I have decided to follow Jesus No turning back, no turning back
[00:30:02] I have decided to follow Jesus I have decided to follow Jesus I have decided to follow Jesus I have decided to follow Jesus There'll be no turning back

[00:30:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
No turning back I choose Jesus I choose Jesus Without a solitary doubt I choose Jesus Not for miracles but for loving me

[00:30:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Not just for Bethlehem, but for Calvary Not for a day, but for eternity I choose Jesus I choose Jesus

[00:31:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
I choose Jesus!

[00:31:55] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Wow!
[00:31:57] What do you say after that?
[00:32:00] Amen and amen.
[00:32:02] Thank you so much Chase and Grant Choir.
[00:32:06] It's just an incredible, incredible message.
[00:32:10] I choose Jesus.
[00:32:12] What a message the world needs to hear.
[00:32:15] In such a time as this in which we live.
[00:32:18] Well turn in your Bibles if you will to the Gospel of John.
[00:32:21] The Gospel of John chapter 18 is where I want you to turn with me as we find ourselves where we left off last week.
[00:32:31] We find in these verses today information concerning the trial of the Lord Jesus Christ.
[00:32:38] The trial of Jesus, as you know, is going to result in a sentence of death
[00:32:45] by Crucifixion.
[00:32:48] And so we find that our Lord Jesus has come to this time when He's going on trial, He's going to be found innocent, and yet He's going to go to the cross of Golgotha and He will die for the sins of the world.
[00:33:12] Stand, if you will, and honor the reading of the Word of God.
[00:33:15] We're going to pick up in verse 34 of chapter 18 where we left off last week.
[00:33:23] We're going to read down through the 7th verse of the 19th chapter as we look at this today.
[00:33:32] Verse 38 of chapter 18.
[00:33:35] Pilate said to Him, What is truth?
[00:33:39] And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, I find no fault in him at all.
[00:33:49] But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover.
[00:33:54] Do you therefore want me to release to you the king of the Jews?
[00:33:58] Then they all cried again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas.
[00:34:05] Now Barabbas was a robber.
[00:34:08] chapter 19 verse 1 so then Pilate took Jesus and scourged him and the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on his head and they put on him a purple robe and then they said hail king of the Jews and they struck him with their hands Pilate then went out again and said to them behold
[00:34:33] I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no fault in him.
[00:34:40] Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe.
[00:34:50] And Pilate said to them, Behold the man!
[00:34:53] Therefore when the chief priests and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him!
[00:35:01] Crucify him!
[00:35:04] Pilate said to them, You take him and crucify him, for I find no fault in him.
[00:35:14] The Jews answered him, We have a law, and according to our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.
[00:35:28] Would you pray with me?
[00:35:36] As we said earlier, this is one of the most powerful passages of Scripture in our entire Bible.
[00:35:46] And I thank you for the outset for John being submissive to your spirit as he penned these words and recorded this gospel.
[00:35:58] And Lord, I pray that today as we read this nearly 2,000 years later,
[00:36:06] That there's a man or a woman under the sound of my voice that are hearing your word, these words written in John's Gospel, that today may be the day of their salvation.
[00:36:20] It's my prayer that as they hear these words that you would take these words and apply them to every heart under the sound of my voice, whether in this building or whether joining us by livestream or even watching at a delayed broadcast.
[00:36:33] Wherever
[00:36:35] Someone is hearing this message today.
[00:36:39] God, work in their hearts, please, and do what only you can do.
[00:36:45] And I pray personally that you'd let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight.
[00:36:52] In Jesus' name I pray.
[00:36:55] Amen.
[00:36:58] If you've ever studied the trials of Jesus,
[00:37:02] You probably have come to understand that there were two major aspects of the trials of Jesus Christ.
[00:37:11] There was a religious aspect and there was a political aspect.
[00:37:16] His religious trial was held before the Jewish Sanhedrin.
[00:37:20] You remember how we've already read and studied about how he was taken to Annas and how he was taken to Caiaphas, the office of the high priest.
[00:37:29] And there he was quickly assembled a meeting of the Jewish Sanhedrin and they met to consider all of the things that he was being charged with.
[00:37:40] His political trial was before Pontius Pilate.
[00:37:44] He was then taken over to King Herod and then he was brought back to Pilate once again.
[00:37:51] I tell you that because you need to understand some background to the political situation at the time when all of this is really going on.
[00:38:01] And if you and I are ever to truly grasp all of the parts of it.
[00:38:06] You see, at this particular time, Rome dominated.
[00:38:11] It was the Roman Empire.
[00:38:14] Jews, however, were allowed to actually try their internal religious cases, but they couldn't impose the death penalty.
[00:38:26] That was off limits.
[00:38:28] Only the Roman government had the authority to actually put someone to death.
[00:38:35] And here is Jesus Christ, the innocent one, who ultimately is condemned to die,
[00:38:44] And ultimately as we will see John's gospel continue to unfold, he does die on a Roman cross for the sins of the world.
[00:38:56] What I want to do with all of us this morning for the next few minutes is I want us to really dive in to the trial of Jesus Christ.
[00:39:09] Now you know and often times in our day you watch the news and you see of big time trials that are going on and how those are covered.
[00:39:19] Sometimes they bring cameras into the courtroom.
[00:39:22] That's a big issue in our day is cameras in there so everybody can watch the proceedings as they unfold.
[00:39:28] And if it's a certain type of trial that they don't allow the cameras into the courtroom, as we've said before,
[00:39:35] There are sketches that are made and an artist's drawing, if you will, is used to kind of depict what is going on and the personalities and the individuals involved in that courtroom.
[00:39:51] So I want you to think with me for just a few moments this morning about what kind of sketches you might have seen
[00:40:02] If an artist's rendering were sketching out the trial of Jesus Christ.
[00:40:10] For instance, I think you would have probably seen some sketches of the religious leaders at this trial.
[00:40:16] Because if you go back and you look in chapter 18, where we were, and look down at verse 28, it said, Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning.
[00:40:29] But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover.
[00:40:42] Fascinating, is it not?
[00:40:45] Here are the religious leaders.
[00:40:48] I mean, they have such careful scruples about all of their rituals that they wouldn't even go into the courtroom, if you will.
[00:41:00] And so the sketches, you would see them on the outside because they're so careful with their rituals and yet the whole time they are plotting the cold-blooded murder of Jesus Christ.
[00:41:14] What a sketch of the hypocritical religious leaders in that day.
[00:41:23] I think another sketch that you would definitely have seen would have to have been a sketch of Pontius Pilate.
[00:41:30] You see, in John's Gospel, I don't know if you've noticed, but John always takes us back to Pilate.
[00:41:37] And Pilate's looking for a loophole, trying to find some way to please everybody.
[00:41:45] that's what they do and in fact he's looking for a way to get him off get himself off the hook and to release this man that he knows to be absolutely an innocent man so as you would look at the sketches that an artist would likely pull up a pilot you will soon throughout the verses
[00:42:11] One would be of fear that he becomes afraid of the crowd.
[00:42:16] Another is he becomes more and more afraid of the prisoner that he's dealing with.
[00:42:23] And so much so that he knows he needs to get Jesus released.
[00:42:31] Those are some of the sketches you might have and see of Pilate during the course of this trial.
[00:42:41] But there's actually a sketch at this trial that really deserves our attention.
[00:42:50] And I'm going to be honest with you this morning, I'm not real concerned about the sketches of the religious leaders, and I'm really not that concerned about the sketches of Pilate.
[00:43:01] See, I think the sketches that ought to grab all of our attention would be the artist's rendering or sketches of Jesus.
[00:43:11] During the trial, the sketches of what is produced, because that's really the sketches, I think, that jump out in this particular passage of Scripture as we read them together.
[00:43:27] and I want you to notice with me if you're jotting down taking some notes today there's a series of sketches of Jesus that I just feel like are important and would show up and I want you to jot them down with me will you do that with me this morning number one I want you to jot down and notice with me the sketches that would have to be there and that was of the sinlessness of Jesus
[00:43:50] A series of sketches that points to the sinlessness of Jesus.
[00:43:54] Because you see, from every angle, Jesus is pronounced the absolute sinless one.
[00:44:02] And by the way, let me just say up front, make sure you agree, Jesus Christ was sinless.
[00:44:08] Amen?
[00:44:10] Never one time did Jesus sin.
[00:44:14] And as you study the trial of our Lord,
[00:44:19] You would see the absolute sinless that's highlighted.
[00:44:23] I mean, think of the testimonies of his sinlessness.
[00:44:27] Go no further than Judas, the very one who betrayed him for 30 pieces of silver, and when his conscience began to drive him insane, you'll recall he came back, threw down the money, and said, I have betrayed innocent blood.
[00:44:50] Pretty potent testimony, wouldn't you say?
[00:44:52] Of the very one who had sold him out.
[00:44:57] That I've betrayed innocent blood.
[00:45:00] Think of the wife of Pontius Pilate.
[00:45:03] Probably a sketch of her in this series.
[00:45:05] She steps in and says, have nothing to do with this just man.
[00:45:14] In fact, she went on to say, I've suffered many things in a dream.
[00:45:19] So the wife of Pontius Pilate recognizes the just man that Jesus is.
[00:45:29] And you might even remember on the cross, one of the people literally dying alongside Jesus discloses, this man has done nothing wrong.
[00:45:44] Think about that.
[00:45:47] One of the prisoners dying next to him.
[00:45:51] But perhaps the most remarkable testimony of the sinlessness of Jesus came from the very lips of the one before whom he stood to be judged.
[00:46:03] Underline it in your Bible if you will.
[00:46:05] Go to verse 38 of chapter 18 and you'll see the last part.
[00:46:11] Pilate said, I find no fault in him.
[00:46:16] Drop down to verse 4 of chapter 19.
[00:46:19] What did Pilate say?
[00:46:21] I find no fault in him.
[00:46:24] Drop down to verse 6.
[00:46:26] What did Pilate say?
[00:46:27] I find no fault in him.
[00:46:32] Three times the testimony is given by the man who is the judge.
[00:46:41] I find no fault in him.
[00:46:50] But now here stands Jesus at His trial.
[00:46:55] Pilate's declared, I find no fault in Him.
[00:47:00] So when you put Pilate's testimony along with all of the others that I just listed for you, it is so clear that they have all testified to the perfect sinlessness of Jesus.
[00:47:12] And yet, if you will go back, Jesus Himself testified
[00:47:19] To His Perfect Sinlessness.
[00:47:20] Go back a few pages to chapter 8 here in John's Gospel that we studied together.
[00:47:26] Go back and look at chapter 8 and verse 29.
[00:47:29] And look at the statement Jesus makes.
[00:47:32] You never want to miss this statement.
[00:47:35] Jesus said, And he who sent me is with me.
[00:47:39] The Father has not left me alone.
[00:47:43] Now underline this.
[00:47:44] For I always do those things that please him.
[00:47:53] Isn't that a remarkable statement?
[00:47:57] And if you drop down in John 8,
[00:48:00] To verse 46, you'll see something again when Jesus says, Which of you convicts me of sin?
[00:48:07] And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?
[00:48:13] In other words, Jesus is saying, Who of you can truthfully accuse me of one single sin?
[00:48:20] And he's asking that question of those who have witnessed his ministry.
[00:48:27] Think about that.
[00:48:29] His disciples are there.
[00:48:30] They've seen Him in thick and thin.
[00:48:34] Listen, they have seen Him in the ups and the downs.
[00:48:36] They've seen Him in the good times and the bad times.
[00:48:40] And Jesus looks at these that He's been in ministry with and He said, which of you can point to just one single sin in my life?
[00:48:53] And do you know that not one single voice
[00:48:58] Not only would be raised, but not one single voice could be raised in accusation.
[00:49:11] You see, I've said before a few weeks ago, there's no way in the world that I would ever stand in this pulpit and ask such a question.
[00:49:22] None of you would stand up here and ask such a question.
[00:49:27] None of us could say that this morning because we all know that we have sinned, right?
[00:49:33] Romans 3, 23, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
[00:49:39] Not Jesus, because He is God.
[00:49:45] He is God.
[00:49:50] But you're faced with a decision today.
[00:49:53] When you look at these sketches, you know what your decision is?
[00:50:00] You gotta decide.
[00:50:03] Is Jesus really absolute purity?
[00:50:10] Or is he absolute hypocrisy?
[00:50:17] That's the decision you gotta make.
[00:50:21] Is he absolute purity?
[00:50:24] Or is he absolute hypocrisy?
[00:50:26] And I'll tell you, my friend, that decision seems very, very clear to me.
[00:50:30] Because as I see Jesus and the way he lived his life, and as you look here and watch him even standing at the edge of the cross, I don't know about you, but I can promise you
[00:50:49] I believe and am convinced of the absolute sinlessness of Jesus Christ.
[00:50:59] And by the way, that's the only one that could be worthy to die on that old cross and to pay the price for your sin
[00:51:19] and Mine.
[00:51:22] The first sketches, they would have to be of the sinlessness of Jesus.
[00:51:29] Those ought to capture our attention.
[00:51:33] But as I look at another series of sketches that should stand out, it would be a series of sketches that an artist might do on the scars of Jesus Christ.
[00:51:47] You say, Mark, what do you mean the scars?
[00:51:49] You know, sometimes you read something and you hear something so often that your eyes and ears just sort of skim over it.
[00:51:58] Did you happen to catch when we were reading together a moment ago, verse 1 of chapter 19?
[00:52:04] I mean, did you really catch it?
[00:52:07] Or did your eyes maybe just skim by that?
[00:52:11] Well, let's look at it carefully.
[00:52:13] It's a really short verse.
[00:52:16] So then Pilate took Jesus...
[00:52:20] and Scourge.
[00:52:27] You see we've read that so much or heard about that so much if we're not careful we just tend to skip on by that or skim right over that.
[00:52:40] The Bible says, remember now, Jesus was found innocent.
[00:52:47] We saw it with our own eyes.
[00:52:50] Three times the governor said, I find no fault in him.
[00:52:57] And yet, the record reads, Pilate took Jesus and scourged him.
[00:53:11] The scars of Jesus from the scourgings, I have no doubt,
[00:53:21] would be a series of sketches that you would see from that trial.
[00:53:27] By the way, I need to show you something just so, again, you understand how the Bible predicts the things it predicts.
[00:53:34] Go with me back to Psalm 129.
[00:53:36] In Psalm 129, I want you to notice something with me.
[00:53:51] Psalm 129, get over to it, yeah, in verse 3.
[00:54:00] The Bible predicted, ladies and gentlemen, the scourging of Jesus.
[00:54:07] All the way back in Psalms, the 129th Psalm, verse 3, notice what it says.
[00:54:14] The plowers plowed on my back.
[00:54:21] They made their furrows long.
[00:54:27] And then if you'll look forward over to Isaiah for a minute, turn a few pages over, a few books over, take a right, keep going, and look at Isaiah chapter 50.
[00:54:39] Isaiah chapter 50 and verse 6.
[00:54:42] Again, the Bible predicted, prophesied very clearly of the scourging of Jesus.
[00:54:50] It says in Isaiah, the prophet, in chapter 50 and verse 6, I gave my back to those who struck me and my cheeks to those who plucked out the beard.
[00:55:07] I did not hide my face from shame
[00:55:14] and Spitting.
[00:55:19] Scourging.
[00:55:23] One of the most cruel forms.
[00:55:27] By the way, Roman citizen couldn't be scourged.
[00:55:33] It was that bad.
[00:55:35] Now, let me be real clear for us this morning also.
[00:55:39] This was not the Jewish scourging.
[00:55:42] You say, what do you mean the Jewish scourging?
[00:55:44] Well, if you turn in your Bibles, again, hold John as your base, but go forward for a minute over to 2 Corinthians chapter 11 and verse 24.
[00:55:52] Because you may recall that we've heard in the New Testament how the Apostle Paul tells about in 2 Corinthians chapter 11 five times he received a scourging which was a Jewish scourging which was a specific 39 stripes.
[00:56:12] You say, what do you mean?
[00:56:13] Well, look at 2 Corinthians chapter 11 and drop down to verse 24.
[00:56:17] Again, very short sentence.
[00:56:19] Paul writes from the Jews...
[00:56:22] 5 times I received 40 stripes minus 1.
[00:56:29] Well, what's 40 minus 1?
[00:56:31] 39.
[00:56:32] That was your math quiz for today.
[00:56:37] 39 stripes.
[00:56:38] Why does he put it in those terms?
[00:56:41] Because a Jewish scourging was very particular.
[00:56:45] It was 39 stripes and it was very particular how it was to be delivered.
[00:56:50] 13 stripes over the left shoulder, 13 stripes over the right shoulder, and 13 stripes across the back.
[00:57:01] 13 times 3 is 39.
[00:57:05] That was part of what came out.
[00:57:07] of the religious trials.
[00:57:09] A scourging, if you will, a Jewish scourging.
[00:57:15] Five times, by the way, five times the Apostle Paul experienced that kind of whipping.
[00:57:26] But this scourging that Jesus faced, it was not a Jewish scourging.
[00:57:36] It was a Roman scourging.
[00:57:39] Which had a nickname.
[00:57:41] It was called the Halfway Death.
[00:57:46] The Halfway Death.
[00:57:48] In other words, they were to beat the victim within an inch of his life.
[00:57:55] There were no stipulations on the number of blows he would take.
[00:57:58] They were just to bring them right to the brink of death.
[00:58:05] And you can only imagine that under that type of scourging, some men literally went raging mad.
[00:58:10] Some men literally just went ahead and died in that scourging.
[00:58:16] And the day that Jesus went on trial in Pilate's hall, he received a Roman scourging.
[00:58:24] Now if you go to Jerusalem today, if you've been there to the Holy Land, you've probably been taken to that particular spot.
[00:58:32] Because they will take you to a building where they have unearthed the concrete in Pilate's hall, and they will take you down where the original pavement is of the fortress of Antonio.
[00:58:45] And that is believed to have been the judgment pavement where the Lord Jesus Christ stood before Pilate.
[00:58:52] And you would notice when you go there today that there are three small pillars about three feet high.
[00:59:00] and embedded within these pillars that are three feet high are two rings on either side and the way it would work is they would take the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ and they would bend him over that pillar put them through those rings tying his hands to them and then a Roman soldier who had a name by the way of a lictor would carry out the beating or the scourging
[00:59:31] of Jesus.
[00:59:34] He had an instrument very specific that he used.
[00:59:37] It was called a flagellum.
[00:59:39] And a flagellum actually was made of a short circular piece of wood.
[00:59:45] Attached to that circular piece of wood were long strips of leather.
[00:59:50] And tied to the end of those long strips of leather were pieces of sharpened metal and bone.
[00:59:59] And that Roman lictor
[01:00:02] Who had been trained to deliver the halfway death.
[01:00:07] You could almost hear that flagellant like a whistling monster through the air as it went up and came down on the back of Jesus.
[01:00:16] And he would do that over and over again.
[01:00:19] And listen, you have to picture it as if it's hurling toward the body of Jesus.
[01:00:24] You could almost hear the dull thud when it actually hit his body, knocking the breath out of Jesus.
[01:00:32] You can only imagine how his legs would have buckled and then he'd recover.
[01:00:38] And those strips of leather that were whipping around the body of Jesus and those chunks of bone and sharpened metal would tear into the stomach and the sides of Jesus.
[01:00:49] And when that Roman lictor who was trained, I might say again, very well to deliver these, the reason it became called the halfway death,
[01:00:59] was because when they would whip around it would literally tear chunks of flesh literally even to his stomach and the sides of Jesus.
[01:01:10] And one after one after one methodically those blows were placed on him.
[01:01:21] Ladies and gentlemen, Jesus was beaten unbelievably.
[01:01:29] Beat him to a pulp.
[01:01:36] But can you understand today that there was a reason that Jesus went through that scourging?
[01:01:48] You say, a reason?

[01:01:50] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Yeah.

[01:01:51] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
There's a reason that those blows were placed on the back of Jesus.
[01:01:56] There was a reason that his lungs began to heave and gasp for air.
[01:02:01] There was a reason that his legs would buckle over and over again at that beating he was taking.
[01:02:11] You know the reason?
[01:02:13] It's right here in the Bible.
[01:02:16] Turn over to 1 Peter.
[01:02:21] Chapter 2 and verse 24.
[01:02:24] 1 Peter 2, 24.
[01:02:32] Here's the reason.
[01:02:37] Who himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness.
[01:02:53] and then here's the part you need to highlight by whose stripes you were healed by his stripes you were healed
[01:03:14] And by the way, he's not talking so much about physical healing here as much as he is talking about the healing of the sin sick soul.
[01:03:25] He's talking about the healing of the inner person inside of you, sir.
[01:03:29] He's talking about the inner person inside of you, ma'am.
[01:03:35] Our bodies are scarred by sin.
[01:03:40] His body.
[01:03:42] You see the difference?
[01:03:49] Our bodies are scarred by sin.
[01:03:54] It comes from the inside out.
[01:03:58] His body was scarred for sin.
[01:04:05] Those blows that were laid on Jesus ought to have been laid on you.
[01:04:10] Those blows that were laid on Jesus ought to have been placed upon me.
[01:04:14] Why?
[01:04:15] Because we are sinners and the wages of sin is death.
[01:04:26] That scourging was yours.
[01:04:31] And did you notice what it said in verse 2?
[01:04:35] It says in verse 2 of chapter 19, and going back to our main passage, and the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on his head.
[01:04:48] Why'd they do that?
[01:04:51] Well, you see, they had heard the charges that he was king of the Jews.
[01:04:57] And so as you look at verse 2, they put this crown of thorns on his head, and then they put him in a purple robe.
[01:05:06] You see, when these soldiers heard that his chargers were king of the Jews, then they just decide that they're going to dress him up and mock him as the king of the Jews.
[01:05:16] You can almost hear their laughter.
[01:05:20] King of the Jews is carpenter, is hillbilly from Galilee.
[01:05:29] King?
[01:05:31] Yeah, right.
[01:05:31] He's the king, all right.
[01:05:35] So they plant this, they plat actually this crown of thorns and then plant it on his head and they crush it into his head.
[01:05:45] And of course as they do, the blood begins to flow from his head.
[01:05:50] They place this purple robe on him and they're mocking him as a king.
[01:05:53] Go back and look at verse 3.
[01:05:55] Then they said, Hail, King of the Jews!
[01:05:58] And they struck him with their hands.
[01:06:04] Can you imagine that?
[01:06:07] Slapping the face of the Son of God?
[01:06:16] Don't you see there's a reason?
[01:06:20] There's a reason that these specific thorns were placed on Jesus.
[01:06:26] You say, what in the world could be the reason?
[01:06:29] Because ladies and gentlemen, when you go back to Genesis and Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, God said this.
[01:06:37] He said, by the sweat of your brow you will earn your bread and the ground will yield thorns and thistles because it is cursed.
[01:06:53] Don't miss that.
[01:06:56] When Jesus died on the cross,
[01:06:59] For your personal sins, He bore the curse of your sin in His own body.
[01:07:10] The thorns and the thistles.
[01:07:17] And may I just say to you this morning, that's why it's not mushy.
[01:07:25] That's why it's not sentimental.
[01:07:29] To talk about loving Jesus Christ.
[01:07:33] Because when I really dive in and read this and understand, I'm talking about the absolutely sinless one who never deserved a blow he received.
[01:07:45] Who was scarred and mangled and was bruised and was bleeding for me.
[01:07:53] I don't mind telling you and I don't mind telling anybody that makes me love Jesus today with more intensity than I have ever loved Him in my life.
[01:08:09] And if it doesn't do something for you, something's missing.
[01:08:14] Something's cold.
[01:08:17] Something's dead.
[01:08:19] Something's missing.
[01:08:22] If you can't see the intensity, don't miss seeing the sketches.
[01:08:31] The sinlessness of Jesus, all those testimonies, the scars of Jesus, does he experience that scourging?
[01:08:44] There will be one more sketch that I think you have to see as we close.
[01:08:51] It would be the sketch of the substitution of Jesus.
[01:08:59] You say, the substitution of Jesus?
[01:09:03] Well, as we look at the sketches of this trial, there's another person who shows up.
[01:09:14] Look here at chapter 18 and verse 40.
[01:09:17] Go back to verse 40 in the passage we read this morning.
[01:09:22] Then they all cried again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas.
[01:09:32] Isn't that interesting?
[01:09:34] Now Barabbas was a robber.
[01:09:37] If you go back another verse to verse 39, just one right up above it, notice it tells us that we find there they had a custom.
[01:09:47] Pilate says, But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover.
[01:09:53] Do you therefore want me to release to you the king of the Jews?
[01:09:58] So what is this custom?
[01:10:01] Well, you see, there's this man that's in jail at this time.
[01:10:05] His name's Barabbas.
[01:10:07] John tells us that he's a robber, common criminal, common crook.
[01:10:12] In other places in Gospels, you find that Barabbas was actually more than just a robber.
[01:10:18] He was a murderer.
[01:10:19] He was an insurrectionist.
[01:10:22] And he's in jail.
[01:10:24] And he is guilty of sin.
[01:10:27] And he is...
[01:10:31] He's sort of become a hero.
[01:10:33] Let me say that.
[01:10:35] He's become somewhat of a hero to the Jewish people.
[01:10:38] As an insurrectionist, as a murderer, he may have fought back, killed somebody.
[01:10:42] And he's become a hero.
[01:10:46] Which, by the way, ladies and gentlemen, it's a strange thing.
[01:10:55] How people become heroes.
[01:10:59] If you look at some of the heroes that people have in this generation.
[01:11:04] You look at some of the heroes that our young people are considering their heroes.
[01:11:10] You go in and check out the posters on the walls of a lot of young people today and see who their heroes are.
[01:11:15] Can I just tell you this and write it down because you're going to find it's true.
[01:11:21] The heroes of a nation
[01:11:25] Ultimately pass judgment on that nation.
[01:11:32] Just saying.
[01:11:34] The heroes of a nation will ultimately pass judgment on a nation.
[01:11:42] Barabbas has become somewhat of a hero.
[01:11:45] The guilty.
[01:11:47] Well, Pilate, we've already talked about, he's made up his mind he's going to get Jesus released.
[01:11:52] So surely they would rather have Jesus, the innocent one, the one in whom I have found no fault, over this common thug, Barabbas.
[01:12:07] But you saw in the Scripture we read what happened.
[01:12:11] The religious leaders got out amongst the crowd and they created a wave of emotion.
[01:12:18] A wave of emotion calling for the release of Barabbas.
[01:12:25] Folks, it doesn't take a rocket scientist in our day to look how quickly waves of emotion are created.
[01:12:33] Look in Minneapolis.
[01:12:37] and there's movements all around training people on these waves of emotion to go and try to create chaos and try to hurt people and try to damage people and there's all kinds of things that are happening even in our world today and so it doesn't take much for you to stop and realize what it must have been like that day when the religious leaders are out there creating this wave of emotion calling for the release of Barabbas
[01:13:08] Well, Barabbas doesn't even know what's going on.
[01:13:11] He's sitting over there in jail.
[01:13:13] He's getting ready to die.
[01:13:16] He's already been through his trial.
[01:13:18] He was without question guilty.
[01:13:22] He's ready to die.
[01:13:24] In fact, with every footstep he hears, his heart begins to race, thinking that they're coming to get him.
[01:13:31] Every time he hears a key go into a lock and it turn, he imagines it's time they've come to get him.
[01:13:39] And listen, in a little while, he's watched the sunrise and he thinks, that's the last sunrise I'll ever see.
[01:13:46] And then sure enough, Rabbis hears the footsteps coming for him.
[01:13:56] He hears the key turn in the lock of his cell.
[01:14:02] He hears the door open up and they've come in to get him.
[01:14:08] They walk him outside the door.
[01:14:12] And then, shock of shock, they say, Barabbas, someone is going to die in your place today.
[01:14:25] You're a free man.
[01:14:29] Someone's going to die in your place today.
[01:14:33] You're a free man.
[01:14:36] And Obarabbas, he walks out to smiling friends, to a cheering crowd.
[01:14:45] He's free.
[01:14:46] He's free.
[01:14:48] And about that moment, out steps Jesus.
[01:14:57] Sinless, spotless, scourged Son of God.
[01:15:08] No friends to greet Him.
[01:15:11] They've all abandoned Him.
[01:15:14] No cheers, but only a hostile crowd.
[01:15:22] And all He can hear is, Crucify!
[01:15:28] Crucify!
[01:15:30] Crucify!
[01:15:36] And they take him off.
[01:15:41] They carry him up a hill.
[01:15:45] And they nailed him to a cross.
[01:15:49] Don't you think that somewhere in the midst of all of that
[01:15:58] Barabbas even if it was over on the edge of the crowd could look a far way off and he would have to stop and think the man on the center cross is there for me you think it ever dawned on him
[01:16:29] Do you think he ever processed that?
[01:16:36] Just imagine.
[01:16:39] What would Barabbas have thought?
[01:16:44] Jesus was my substitute.
[01:16:48] Jesus was my substitute.
[01:16:58] All we like sheep have gone astray.
[01:17:02] Amen?
[01:17:04] We've turned everyone to his own way.
[01:17:08] Amen?
[01:17:10] And the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
[01:17:21] Amen?
[01:17:24] So you see,
[01:17:27] It's decision time this morning.
[01:17:30] It's decision time for every single one of us.
[01:17:35] And the decision is, what will you do with Jesus?
[01:17:41] What will you do with Jesus?
[01:17:47] It's either Barabbas or it's Jesus.
[01:17:53] Would you bow your head right where you are please?
[01:17:54] Heads are bowed, eyes are closed, all over the sanctuary.
[01:17:59] Let me ask you this morning, has there been a time in your life, honestly, honestly, just cut through all of the stuff, has there been a time in your life
[01:18:20] When you really surrendered to Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?
[01:18:30] Has there been that time in your life when you recognized your sin?
[01:18:38] Has there been a time in your life when you realized that Jesus was your substitute?
[01:18:52] That cross was made for Barabbas That cross was made for me That cross was made for you What, what will you do with Jesus?
[01:19:22] Father, there's no more important moment right now for every man and woman under the sound of my voice than this moment.
[01:19:36] The moment of decision.
[01:19:40] Is Jesus the absolutely pure one or is He absolute hypocrisy?
[01:19:52] and as each one under the sound of my voice makes their decision God how I pray that your spirit would bring them to a commitment moment when they say Lord I realize I'm a sinner I understand I need a savior and I truly recognize
[01:20:19] that Jesus Christ is the one and the only true Savior that can save my soul for all eternity.
[01:20:31] And I surrender to Him this morning.
[01:20:35] Father, would you guide every heart and mind here and listening wherever they are to make that commitment to You right now.
[01:20:46] Father if they're here in the building I invite them to come meet me here at the front and simply say I want to give my life to Jesus because today I truly truly understand that he died for me and I give my life back to him for it's in Jesus name that I pray
[01:21:15] Amen.
[01:21:16] Would you stand to your feet?
[01:21:18] Brother Grant comes to lead us.
[01:21:20] I'll be here at the front.
[01:21:22] This altar is open.
[01:21:25] Simply do what is pleasing to the Lord this morning.

[01:21:55] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
I give thee that thou art whole, that in thine ocean depths its flow may richer glory be.
[01:22:43] God's place and stay, then brighter ever be.

[01:23:00] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
O joy that seekers we repay,

[01:23:16] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
The promise is not made, that one shall tearless be.
[01:23:39] O cross that lifteth up thy head, I dare not ask to find from thee
[01:24:00] O love that will not let me go I rest my weary soul in thee I give thee back the life I owe
[01:24:24] Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy
[01:25:00] In thy sunshine's ways its day may brighter, purer be.
[01:25:15] O joy that seekest me through pain,
[01:25:34] The promise is not made, that one shall tearless be.
[01:25:51] O cross that liftest up my head,

[01:26:13] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Amen.
[01:26:22] You may be seated just one moment, please.
[01:26:25] Excited to just share and introduce this family to you today that are coming.
[01:26:30] All interesting background.
[01:26:32] They have been married.
[01:26:33] Both of them were baptized here at Trinity Baptist Church.
[01:26:37] Let's pray.
[01:26:57] of what God is doing here in in their lives and in the church and so we're grateful for Colton and Megan and their children Eaton and Clara are here with them today you'll meet them once you go out the door today but what's your pleasure in affirming them today and their commitment motion made second all in favor lift your hands there's your friends Megan and Colton you know that from your time being here
[01:27:22] and we're certainly blessed and excited for you all and I know folks who want to speak to you on their way out today and we want you to join me if you will back there at the door so they can welcome you let's all stand to your feet if you will all over the sanctuary certainly want to continue to
[01:27:39] Let's pray.
[01:28:01] We're very excited about that as we're continuing to build in excitement toward opening here in August of 2026.
[01:28:10] It's going to be such a big year in so many ways.
[01:28:14] And I just want you to continue to be praying and be inviting people.
[01:28:17] That's the big thing right now is getting the word out.
[01:28:20] Because with Opportunity Scholarship and all of those things that are available, it's just very, very important that we help continue to get the Word out of this opportunity for a true Christ-centered, biblical worldview education for children to continue to grow in the faith and knowledge of the Word.
[01:28:38] So be praying for that this week as we look forward to it.
[01:28:41] Brother Robert's going to come and give us a closing word, and Brother Grant's going to sing us out of here today as we look forward to the week.

[01:28:51] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Amen.
[01:28:53] Thank you Pastor Mark for a powerful message.
[01:28:54] Our benediction today comes from the book of 1 Corinthians chapter 2 verses 1 through 5.
[01:28:59] This is the word of the Lord.
[01:29:02] And I, when I came to you brothers, did not proclaim to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.
[01:29:11] For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
[01:29:18] And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling in my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.
[01:29:29] Why?
[01:29:30] So that your faith may not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
[01:29:38] Let's pray.
[01:29:40] Holy Heavenly Father, God, we are so incredibly thankful for Christ.
[01:29:44] We're so incredibly thankful for the cross.
[01:29:47] We're so incredibly thankful for the opportunity to be crucified with Jesus so it's no longer we who live but Christ who lives in us.
[01:29:55] Father, thank you for giving us a pastor who decides to know nothing among us except for Jesus and Him crucified.
[01:30:01] And Father, may our faith rest not in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
[01:30:07] Amen.

[01:30:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
The Spirit of the Lord There are sweet expressions on each face And I know that it's the presence of a

[01:30:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
We are here with us, filling us with your love.

[01:31:18] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
And for these mercies we take our hearts in praise.
[01:31:19] Without a doubt we'll know that we have been revived when we shout.