The Plot - Part 4 [Notes]

One of the lessons we can learn from the Easter story is that you can do everything right and still end up on a cross. Though Jesus never wronged anyone, he faced opposition from all those He came to save. Consider the religious and civic leaders who indicted Him, the crowd that yelled, "crucify Him," the disciples who abandoned Him, and even the criminals who hung beside Him, hurling insults. Yet, Jesus responded with remarkable love, patience, and forgiveness.

What lessons can we learn from His example? Join us as we begin a new series titled "The Plot" and look at how Jesus handled the most difficult week of His life.

Scene One: Jesus before Annas

The high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and about His teaching. “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered him. “I have always taught in the•synagogue and in the•temple complex, where all the Jews congregate, and I haven’t spoken anything in secret. Why do you question Me? Question those who heard what I told them. Look, they know what I said.” When He had said these things, one of the temple police standing by slapped Jesus, saying, “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” “If I have spoken wrongly,” Jesus answered him, “give evidence about the wrong; but if rightly, why do you hit Me?” Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.¹
– John 18:19-24 (HCSB)
_{^• This is a place where the Jewish people met for prayer, worship, and teaching of theScriptures.
^• In the Jerusalem temple, the complex included the sanctuary (the holy place and the holy of holies), at least 4 courtyards (for priests, Jews, women, and Gentiles), numerous gates, and several covered walkways.
¹ The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (Jn 18:19–24). (2009). Holman Bible Publishers.}

One of Annas’ assistants did not like Jesus’ answer so he struck Him in the face. The preliminary hearing had several illegalities, and this was one of them. It was improper to try to induce self-accusation, and it was wrong to hit an unconvicted person.²
– E.A. Blum
_{2 Blum, E. A. (1985). John. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 336). Victor Books.}

Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! You are sitting there judging me according to the law, and in violation of the law are you ordering me to be struck?”
–Acts 23:3 (HCSB)

And those standing nearby said, “Do you dare revile God’s high priest?” “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest,” replied Paul. “For it is written, You must not speak evil of a ruler of your people.”
– Acts 23:4-5 (HCSB)

Scene Two: Jesus before Caiaphas

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, He did not open His mouth.
– Isaiah 53:7 (HCSB)

The high priest then stood up and said to Him, “Don’t You have an answer to what these men are testifying against You?” But Jesus kept silent. Then the high priest said to Him, “By the living God I place You under oath: tell us if You are the Messiah, the Son of God!” “You have said it,” ^c Jesus told him. “But I tell you, in the future you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? Look, now you’ve heard the blasphemy! What is your decision?” They answered, “He deserves death!” Then they spit in His face and beat Him; others slapped Him and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah! Who hit You?”
– Matthew 26:62-68 (HCSB)
_{^c 26:64 Or That is true, an affirmative oath; Mt 27:11; Mk 15:2}

Scene Three: Jesus before Pilate

Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled but could eat the Passover. So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered Him over to you.” Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and judge Him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death He was going to die.
– John 18:29-32 (HCSB)

[Pilate] went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.
– John 18:38b-40 (HCSB)

Scene Four: Jesus before Herod

And when he learned that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see Him, because he had heard about Him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by Him. So he questioned Him at some length, but He made no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing Him. And Herod with his soldiers treated Him with contempt and mocked Him. Then, arraying Him in splendid clothing, he sent Him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.
– Luke 23:7-12 (HCSB)

“Fox” was a metaphor for deceitful craftiness then as well as now.³
– R.H. Stein
_{³ Stein, R. H. (1992). Luke (Vol. 24, p. 383). Broadman & Holman Publishers.}

1. Ultimately, God is the One who puts people in positions of authority.

Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God.
– Romans 13:1 (HCSB)

...the Most High is ruler over the kingdom of men, and He gives it to anyone He wants.”
– Daniel 4:32b (HCSB)

He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings...
– Daniel 2:21a (HCSB)

So Pilate said to Him, “You’re not talking to me? Don’t You know that I have the authority to release You and the authority to crucify You?” “You would have no authority over Me at all,” Jesus answered him, “if it hadn’t been given you from above...” ⁴
– John 19:10-11a (HCSB)
_{⁴ The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (Jn 19:10–11). (2009). Holman Bible Publishers.}

2. We are to be model citizens. 

Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the Emperor as the supreme authority or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good.
– 1 Peter 2:13-15 (HCSB)

Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. For government is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, an avenger ^a that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.
– Romans 13:1-5 (HCSB)
_{^a 13:4 1Th 4:6}

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work.
– Titus 3:1 (HCSB)

3. We are to pray for our leaders. 

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
– 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (HCSB)

1. How do you think people in our culture view authority figures these days (Consider various situations such as work, the government, the church, etc.)? Why do you think people view them the way they do?
2. Read Matthew 26:57-68. What are some things we learn about Jesus and about how He handled his trial before the Sanhedrin? How do you think Jesus was able to stay so calm when he was being falsely accused?
3. Read Daniel 2:20-21; Daniel 4:28-32; Romans 13:1; and John 19:10-11. What do we learn from these verses about the ultimate source of all authority? In light of these verses, how do we explain godless leaders?
4. Read 1 Peter 2:13-15, Romans 13:1-5 and 1 Timothy 2:1-4. Why do you think it is important for Christians to be respectful of authority? What are some things we can do if those in authority over us misuse their authority?

Battle Belongs // Yes I Will // Names // There is a King

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