Text: By oppression and judgment He was taken away; and as for His generation, who considered that He was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due? (Isaiah 53:8)
Catechism Question 38: Why did he suffer “under Pontius Pilate” as judge?
Answer: So that He, though innocent, might be condemned by an earthly judge, and so free us from the severe judgment of God that was to fall on us.
Intro: Pilate
I. Why in the creed?
Historical
II. Jesus innocence pronounced by others
Pilate’s wife
Penitent thief
Centurion
III. Jesus innocence pronounced by Pilate
Motive (Matthew 27:18)
Before Herod (Luke 23:4)
After Herod (Luke 23:13-15)
After the offer of Barabbas (Luke 23:22)
Out of options (Matthew 27:24)
After the scourging (John 19:4)
After permission given (John 19:6)
Last desperate attempt (John 19:12)
IV. Guilty!
Application: A parable
Pilate’s courtroom: He might be condemned by an earthly judge…
God’s courtroom: …and so free us from the severe judgment of God that was to fall on us.
Bearing shame and scoffing rude, in my place condemned He stood, sealed my pardon with His blood: Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Guilty, helpless, lost were we; blameless Lamb of God was He, sacrificed to set us free: Hallelujah, what a Savior!