I have noticed that Jesus
does not say much to defend himself. The most he says is, “You have said so.” In Matthew 27 verse 11, we see Jesus standing before Pontius Pilate. When the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus replied, “You have said so.” We also saw Jesus respond with the same words to Judas Iscariot at His Last Supper. Jesus said,, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” Matthew 26:23-24 And when Judas responded, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.” Matthew 26:25 For some reason, Holy Spirit is showing me the sand from the scripture in John 8:1-11. Men brought a woman caught in adultery, to Jesus, and wanted Him to condemn and stone her to death. This is what the scripture says, “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” John 8:3-11 Going back to Matthew 27, Pontius Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge - to the great amazement of the governor. At that time, the Governor had a well-known prisoner named Jesus Barabbas (who apparently was purely evil). When the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him. And while Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. So Pilate asked, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” “Barabbas,” the Jews answered. Can you believe they chose the evil son? Pilate asked, “What shall I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” The Jews all answered, “Crucify him!” “ Why? asked Pilate What crime has he committed?” But the Jews shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd and said, “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” “It is your responsibility!” As if he won’t be accountable for what he has done! All the Jews answered, “His blood is on us and our children!” Oh My God - do they even realize what they just said? Then Pilate released Barabbas to the Jews, and had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.” Matthew 27:11-26 Let us remember who God is. He is Supreme - the creator of everything. God created the heavens and the earth. And He created angels and people to worship Him. From the first humans, man went astray. Adam and Eve both disobeyed. At that time, God condemned them to eternal separation. But God had a plan from the very beginning of time, before the world was even formed. His desire is to bring all that He loves and all that love Him, back into relationship with Him. God made vows and created covenants, with people like Noah, Abraham, Jacob and Moses - a people and a nation who once loved Him. All of these covenants were made before God appointed himself to come down from Heaven to earth - to offer himself as the final sacrifice and bring separated humans back into relationship with Him. Can you imagine how God must have felt to experience His own people, the Holy nation of Israel, condemn Him? Especially after they had just been singing “Hosanna in the Highest. The Glory of the King." Jesus knew their hearts. And he knew what they were going to do. Instead of trying to persuade them, or change them, He laid his life down and simply said, “You have said so.” Going back to John 8, where the woman was caught in the act of Adultery, Jesus wrote a message in the sand. Somehow, the men heard it, and responded. The Lord has laid in my heart, a message for you. This message is a wake up call for the Jews - Do not through down your garments. The time has come to render your hearts. You must know that without the blood of Christ, You are fatherless. It is time to come back home. Stop being a prodigal son. I will open my arms and run out and catch you, if only you would come home again. I also have a message for the Gentiles. There is no more passing the responsibility. Every kingdom, nation and tongue will be accountable to Me. Not one person will be spared. Every person will give an account. Now listen up! I have left the 99 to come chasing after you. Do you hear me calling? Do you see me coming? Stop and listen. Put down your falsehood and find me. I am the key of David, and I am the only key that fits into the door of Heaven. Let us remember - The Lord is coming back soon. The time to prepare your heart is NOW. The Lion of Judah won’t be asking questions. He will simply listen to your heart, and respond, “You have said so.”
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