113 The Trial of Jesus

John 18:33-38

April 6, 2025

If you weren’t with us last week, we are taking a break from our study of Titus for a few weeks while we focus on what we have called a “Countdown To Easter”.

We have 3 preaching services left until Easter Sunday morning.

Having looked at The Arrest of Jesus last week.

This morning we turn to “The Trial of Jesus”

Next Sunday morning we’ll look at His crucifixion

And next Sunday night we’ll look at His burial.

LAST WEEK, as we examined THE ARREST

We noticed that by in large, all the gospel writers cover the same material, with a few differences.

· Especially the synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are very similar

· With John giving us a bit more information.

That is NOT the case however regarding THE TRIAL of Jesus.

If you want the full picture of the trial of Jesus it is absolutely necessary to study all 4 gospel accounts, for they reveal different aspects.

· Perhaps Mark and Matthew have the most similarities,

· But Luke and John cover totally different aspects not seen in the others.

Allow me to give you the OVERALL TIMELINE (even as is seen in your bulletin)

After Jesus was arrested,

He was taken immediately to Caiaphas in the middle of the night.

· Caiaphas was the high priest

· He was planning to hold a trial for Jesus at his house.

It should be noted that such a trial would not have been legal under Jewish Law.

Jewish Law regarding trials:

· a trial could not be held at night.

· Nor could it be held in secret, it was a public affair

· Furthermore a trial could not be held during a feast

· A man could only be condemned upon the testimony of two credible witnesses.

· Furthermore if a man was condemned, the first person to strike the blow to the condemned had to be the person who first bore witness against him.

· Furthermore the accused could not be forced to testify against Himself. Even a detailed confession was not viewed as adequate evidence to condemn a man.

· If a man was condemned, the law required that he could not be sentenced until the morning of the third day.

· And even after sentencing as the man was going to his punishment, if on the way he or anyone else remembered evidence that might deliver him, immediately the execution was stayed and the trial was re-opened.

· And if a man was condemned his property could not be seized, it passed to his heirs, in order to keep a man from being condemned for his possessions.

Obviously the entire trial here is going to be illegal.

But Jesus was taken first to Caiaphas.

However, when they reached the courtyard of Caiaphas’ house Annas intercepted the arresting convoy and took the first shot at Jesus.

This was trial #1 and only John tells us about it.

· Annas quizzed the teaching of Jesus (they’re real problem with Him)

· Jesus stood strong and was struck in the face

After Annas took his shot at Jesus, Jesus was then taken into the house

Where Caiaphas and the rest of the leaders were waiting to put Jesus on trial.

This was trial #2 and it is the one you read about in Matthew and Mark.

· The Chief Priests had had enough of the public debates with Jesus.

· They needed a secret place to interrogate Jesus.

· This is where all the false witnesses were gathered.

This is where Jesus confessed to the Christ.

This is where Jesus declared Himself to be God’s anointed King.

Matthew 26:63-64 “But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Jesus quoted there from Psalms 110:1

Psalms 110:1 “The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”

· Jesus there speaking of HIS DIVINE APPOINTMENT,

namely that it was God who had anointed Him King.

· Jesus also speaking of HIS AUTHORITATIVE POSITION

as One who will be seated at God’s right hand.

The other verse Jesus quoted was:

Daniel 7:13-14 “I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. “And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed.”

· Jesus there referencing the fact of HIS IMMINENT REIGN

So in that second trial before Caiaphas

Jesus declared Himself to be God’s King, with God’s authority,

And soon to reign over all of God’s creation.

And you know the result of that trial.

Matthew 26:65-66 “Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!”

They determined Jesus guilty of blasphemy and were ready to go public.

They would wait for morning to come

And then gather in their council chamber and reenact the entire scene.

This was Trial #3 at the council chamber and it is the trial you read about in Luke’s gospel.

· They DON’T waste time with false witnesses and all the mess that caused.

· NO more talk of “tearing down the temple and rebuilding it in three days”

Their only goal during this trial is to get Jesus to confess again

To being God’s King and declaring Him guilty of blasphemy.

So they get right at it.

Luke 22:66-71 “When it was day, the Council of elders of the people assembled, both chief priests and scribes, and they led Him away to their council chamber, saying, “If You are the Christ, tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I ask a question, you will not answer. “But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” And they all said, “Are You the Son of God, then?” And He said to them, “Yes, I am.” Then they said, “What further need do we have of testimony? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.”

Jesus totally submitted to their plan.

· He once again stated the confession from earlier in the night

· And this time even went further declaring Himself to be the Son of God.

· And now, the chief priests had all they needed to have Him killed.

At this point Judas feels remorse and tries to give the money back, and ends up hanging himself. Only Matthew’s gospel reveals that fact.

So they grab Jesus and make a beeline for Pilate.

When they get to the Praetorium they won’t go inside because they don’t want to be made unclean before the Passover, so Pilate comes out to them.

They are holding Jesus and accusing Him before Pilate.

Their main choice of accusation is that

Jesus made the claim to be a King, thus making Him an enemy of Rome.

Luke 23:2 “And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”

· Pilate tries to dismiss them, telling them to take Him themselves and try Him,

· But the Jews pressure Pilate because they want a death sentence which only

Pilate can give.

So Pilate goes back into the Praetorium

And takes Jesus in to custody to stand before Him.

This is trial #4 and only John’s gospel reveals it.

· Pilate questions Jesus with regard to Him being a King and Jesus answers.

After examining Jesus, Pilate comes out with Jesus

And declares Him “NOT GUILTY”

But the Jews won’t stand for an acquittal,

They start throwing every accusation they can at Jesus in front of Pilate.

The one accusation that gets Pilate’s attention is what Luke reveals:

Luke 23:5-6 “But they kept on insisting, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching all over Judea, starting from Galilee even as far as this place.” When Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.”

· When Pilate figures out that Jesus is from Galilee

· Pilate sees his opportunity to escape the scene and sends Jesus to Herod.

This is trial #5 and only Luke’s gospel reveals it.

· Jesus stands before Herod, but won’t answer Herod at all.

· Herod spends some time making fun of Jesus,

· Herod isn’t interested in anything but a joke and sends Jesus back to Pilate.

So Jesus now, back with Pilate, and back before the Jews,

Pilate for a second time declares Jesus “NOT GUILTY”

And points out that Herod didn’t find any guilt either.

Luke 23:13-16 “Pilate summoned the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one who incites the people to rebellion, and behold, having examined Him before you, I have found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you make against Him. “No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him. “Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.”

But this is still not enough for the Jews.

They want Jesus executed, not merely punished.

At this point Pilate finds HIS NEXT PLAN to diffuse this situation.

· He remembers that he customarily releases a prisoner at the Passover and has the idea that it will be Jesus who gets released.

· But Pilate is shocked when the people say “No” and instead ask for the notorious murderer Barabbas to be released.

At the same time Pilate receives a message from his wife to leave Jesus alone because she suffered greatly in a dream about Him. (Only Matthew)

Pilate is losing control and he is becoming concerned

So he tries to go through with his original plan

To punish Jesus and then release Him.

The plan is to scourge Him severely enough that the Jews

Will be satisfied, and John’s gospel reveals, that is what they do.

· They beat and mock and scourge Jesus

· Pilate brings the bloodied Jesus back before the people. “Behold The Man!”

· And once again says, “NOT GUILTY”

The hope is that this will be enough.

But it isn’t.

John 19:6 “So when the chief priests and the officers saw Him, they cried out saying, “Crucify, crucify!” Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for I find no guilt in Him.”

That is now the 4th time Pilate has declared Jesus “NOT GUILTY”

(5 if you count him giving Herod’s verdict as well)

BUT THE JEWS CONTINUE TO PRESS HIM.

They reveal that by their law Jesus deserves death because He claims to be the Son of God.

And now Pilate is even more afraid.

He takes Jesus one more time back into the praetorium.

This is trial #6 and only John reveals it.

· Pilate begins to ask Jesus for help in acquitting Him and Jesus refuses.

· Jesus isn’t asking Pilate to set Him free.

· Jesus is asking Pilate to confess Him as Lord and suffer with Him.

Pilate takes Jesus back out to the people one last time

And makes more efforts to try and release Jesus.

But the Jews pressure him even more.

John 19:12 “As a result of this Pilate made efforts to release Him, but the Jews cried out saying, “If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar.”

The Jews will not have it.

In one final last ditch effort Pilate asks for a bowl of water.

Only Matthew’s gospel reveals this:

Matthew 27:24-25 “When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.” And all the people said, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!”

And with that Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified

And he sets Barabbas free.

Each Gospel writer is giving you a different aspect

To make a different point.

MATTHEW – Highlighting the submission of Jesus at His arrest

· Remember calling 72,000 angels…

Well Matthew is still revealing the submission of Jesus

Now during the trial.

Matthew’s main point is that

Everyone knew that what was going on here was wrong.

· Clearly the false witnesses at Caiaphas’ house were a sham.

· But Matthew also shows us that even Judas knew it was wrong.

· Matthew alone shows us that Pilate’s wife, watching from a distance, knew this was wrong.

· Matthew alone shows Pilate washing his hands, testifying again to the wrong.

Everyone knows this is a corrupt conviction and a corrupt trial.

The only person not protesting it is Jesus.

He is submissive to the Father’s plan that He might save His people.

MARK – highlighting the suffering of Jesus at His arrest.

· It was quick and brutal

· Everyone fled, even an unnamed young man who fled naked

At the trial Mark is still focused on

Jesus suffering under cruel and relentless attacks.

· Mark points out the inconsistency of all the testimony and the harsh

accusations against Jesus before Pilate.

· Mark points out that the crowd asked Pilate to release someone, but it was

the chief priests who maneuvered the crowd to ask for Jesus.

It is all unjust suffering in Mark’s gospel

And we are still reminded that saving sinners is a harsh job.

LUKE – Highlighting Jesus as substitute at His arrest

· Luke pointed out that Jesus was being “numbered with the transgressors”.

· He was mocked as a fraud, defended as a rebel, and arrested as a thief.

· He was identifying with us.

And the trial from Luke’s perspective follows that same them.

Luke focuses on Pilate publicly declaring Jesus innocent.

Luke shows us that Herod agreed.

Jesus had no sin,

But He was bearing our sin and being treated accordingly.

JOHN – Highlighting the sovereignty of Jesus at His arrest.

· We saw the entire army bow when Jesus said, “I am He”

· We saw Jesus giving orders to release His followers.

· No one made Jesus go, out of love He chose to do it, but John revealed

Jesus in total control.

And the same can be seen from John’s gospel at the trial.

John showing us these conversations between Jesus and Pilate,

Where Pilate the governor is pleading with Jesus the prisoner for help.

Jesus could have stopped this.

But Jesus, out of love, was ordaining all of this.

So just like at the arrest, we turn to the trial and we once again marvel at

· The submission of Jesus,

· The suffering of Jesus,

· The substitution of Jesus,

· And the sovereignty of Jesus.

He is here enduring the pain and the scorn and the ridicule

Out of His own sovereign love for those He came to save.

And as we pointed out last week, HE IS DOING IT ALL ALONE.

· There is no one else on trial with Him.

· There is no other redeemer.

· He is the only one.

Jesus is on trial in order that He might save sinners.

Now, with the time we have left this morning, we turn to John’s gospel

I want to give you another truth to focus on for the upcoming week.

At His trial I want you to see WHO HE CAME TO REDEEM.

AS JESUS STOOD BEFORE PILATE,

He preached a message that He had been preaching throughout His ministry and throughout the book of John.

The message He proclaims reminds us who He is saving.

So let’s look at John 18:33-38

I think the easiest way to work through this small portion of Jesus’ trial

Is to focus on some of the questions Pilate asks.

Let me remind you where we are in the timeline of the trial…

1. Jesus has already been tried by Annas.

2. He has already been tried at the house of Caiaphas.

3. He has already been tried publicly before the council.

4. Now the Jews have brought Him to Pilate.

5. They stood outside the Praetorium and accused Jesus of being a King and thus a threat to Rome.

Luke 23:2 “And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”

6. Because that is the type of threat Rome takes seriously, Pilate is now obligated to interrogate Jesus.

7. So Pilate took Jesus into custody and went back into the Praetorium to examine Jesus.

That is where we are in the timeline.

And Pilate has some questions for Jesus:

#1 ARE YOU THE KING OF THE JEWS?

John 18:33-34

You see the question immediately from Pilate.

· He must ascertain whether the accusations have any merit.

Pilate knows that the only reason the Jews would bring anyone to him is if it somehow benefited them to do so.

He knows the Jews have no concern for the stability of the Roman government.

Even later we will read:

Mark 15:10 “For he was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.”

But Pilate is obligated to ask.

So he “summoned Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

He is simply asking about the accusation he just received.

Now the answer Jesus gives

May read a little short or disrespectful but that is NOT the case.

(34) “Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?”

Jesus is not being disrespectful,

But the question does not allow for a “yes or no” answer.

Jesus needs to understand what and why Pilate is asking this question.

Are you asking if I am the type of King they accused Me of being?

· Well then the answer would be “no”.

Are you asking Me if I am a King?

· Well then the answer would be “yes”.

So Jesus needs to know the motive.

That leads to Pilate’s second question.

#2 WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?

John 18:35-36

You can sense Pilate’s frustration.

· It reads as though he has better things to do this morning than get stuck in the middle of this Jewish feud.

“Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?”

There is the real question.

Pilate simply points out that I was minding my own business

When this Jewish feud was brought to my door.

Let’s get to the point.

· What is Your crime?

· What are You guilty of?

· What did You do?

· Are you leading an insurrection?

So now Jesus answers the previous question.

(36) “Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.”

Jesus’ answer is clear.

I am no threat to Rome.

· I am a King, but My Kingdom is a spiritual kingdom.

· I have no earthly army that is about to attack anyone.

· I am a ruler and My kingdom is legitimate, but it is not the type of kingdom that can be seen with physical eyes.

And you and I know exactly what Jesus is talking about.

· He is talking about “The Kingdom of Heaven”

· He is talking about His Lordship over the lives of His followers.

· He is talking about His reign over the hearts of men.

It is the kingdom He has been preaching since the beginning.

Matthew 4:17 “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

· John the Baptist had come and said “The King is one His way!”

· Jesus showed up and said, “The King is here!”

And the call to the people was to submit their lives to the King.

They were to follow Jesus.

This was, and remains, the call to salvation.

Romans 10:9 “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;”

A person must submit their lives to the Lordship or Kingship of Christ.

They must bow the knee to Him.

Psalms 2:12 “Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”

And we are NOT looking for a superficial confession.

Don’t just call Him, “Lord, Lord” but actually do what He says.

That is Christ’s kingdom,

That was the only one He brought with His first coming.

His earthly kingdom will come with His second coming,

But when He came at first His only kingdom was spiritual,

Existing in the hearts of men.

So yes Pilate, I am a King, but I am no threat to Rome.

That leads to Pilate’s third question.

#3 SO YOU ARE A KING?

John 18:37

Pilate did not understand any of what Jesus just said,

But he did latch on to the king part,

And He asks Jesus to confirm what He just said.

“You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

And there is the statement I really want you to pay attention to

This morning.

Not only does Jesus confirm His reign over a spiritual kingdom,

He also reveals who the members of that kingdom are.

In short we get the answer to the question:

· Who is Jesus suffering for?

· Who is Jesus fighting for?

· Who is Jesus identifying with?

· Who is Jesus standing in substitution for?

THE ANSWER IS: For those in His kingdom.

WHO ARE THEY?

WELL LOOK AT WHAT JESUS SAYS.

FIRST you get a remarkable statement from Jesus

Regarding His nature and His purpose in coming.

1. First He confirms that He is a King.

2. Then He speaks of His mission.

“For this I have been born” – that is His humanity,

· Born of a virgin, born into the world like every other human.

“and for this I have come into the world” – that is His eternal deity,

· Having existed before birth, but choosing to come into the world.

And the mission was “to testify to the truth.”

In short, He is eternal God, born into the world as a man

Here to call men into His kingdom by preaching the truth to them.

And then He explains who is in His kingdom.

Jesus says, “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

THERE YOU HAVE IT.

WHO IS IN CHRIST’S KINGDOM?

Those who hear His voice.

But that seems a little mystical.

You mean like audibly?

THIS IS NOT JESUS’ FIRST REFERENCE…

TURN TO: JOHN 5

· John 5 is where Jesus healed the man at the Bethesda pool on the Sabbath and put the Jews in an uproar.

· When they accused Him of breaking the Sabbath, He said, (17) “But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.”

· And that answer pushed the Jews over the top, (18) “For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.”

So they want to kill Jesus (sound familiar?)

And they want to kill Him for claiming to be God (sound familiar?)

Jesus answers their anger.

(READ 5:19-23) – All of that is Jesus simply defending His deity.

· (19) He shares His Father’s Passions

· (20) He sees His Father’s Plan

· (21) He shows His Father’s Power

· (22) He shares His Father’s Praise

They told Jesus, “You think You are God!”

And Jesus said, “Well if the shoe fits…”

But look at what He says next.

(24) “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.”

Do you see the reference to “he who hears My word”?

Jesus says that hearing His word is the key

To entering the kingdom, to skipping judgment,

And to having eternal life.

And He goes on:

(READ 5:25-29)

· Simply put, to hear the Son is the key to having life from the dead.

So when Jesus tells Pilate, “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice”

That is hardly the first time He has mentioned it.

TURN TO: JOHN 8

· John 7 & 8 are when Jesus went to Jerusalem to the Feast of Booths and ended up in quite a debate with the religious elite.

(READ 8:31-32)

· You remember those famous verses.

· Jesus said that true believers “continue in My word”

That is a great definition of biblical hearing isn’t it?

When Jesus talks about hearing Him,

He is not just talking about awareness that He said something,

He is talking about obedience to what He said.

And He’ll prove that.

(READ 8:33-37)

· There you see lostness defined as “My word has no place in you”

(READ 8:38-43)

· Do you see the problem again? “you cannot hear My word”

(READ 8:44-47)

· And again, “He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.”

What is the point to hearing?

IT IS OBEDIENCE.

THOSE WHO ARE IN THE KINGDOM

Are those who hear what Jesus says and obey Him.

THOSE WHO ARE NOT IN THE KINGDOM

Are those who do not obey what Jesus said.

Isn’t that what Jesus just said to Pilate?

“Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice”

TURN TO: JOHN 10

· You remember the famous chapter on the Good Shepherd and how He cares for His sheep.

And in that dialogue Jesus once again squared off with unbelievers.

(READ 10:22-28)

Did you catch it?

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

DO YOU UNDERSTAND NOW WHO IS IN CHRIST’S KINGDOM?

· Do you understand who He is on trial for?

· Do you understand who He is substituting for?

· Do you understand who He is redeeming?

All that He is doing is for His sheep who hear and obey His voice.

· He is purchasing their kingdom.

· He has allowed Himself to be arrested and He will very soon yield up His life

unto death, all for them.

If you want to benefit from this atoning work of Jesus

THEN YOU MUST ENTER HIS KINGDOM.

You must hear what He has said and submit to it.

· You must obey Him.

· You must continue in His word.

· You must follow Him.

That is who He is doing all of this for.

Now, one more question from Pilate.

#4 WHAT IS TRUTH?

John 18:38

What do we learn of Pilate by that question?

He had no intention of hearing or obeying or following Jesus.

You say, “But wait, Pilate does say, “I find no guilt in Him”

THAT’S TRUE.

But recognizing Jesus righteousness

Is not the same thing as submitting your life to Him.

MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND WHO PILATE IS.

· Pilate knows Jesus is a King (he’ll hang a sign on the cross)

· Pilate knows Jesus is righteous and innocent (declared over and over)

· Pilate has no beef with Jesus (tries to pass Him off several times and release

Him)

· Pilate would save Jesus if he could

· Pilate just wanted to not have to make a decision about Jesus.

And when neither the world nor Jesus would allow Pilate to escape without choosing, Pilate chose to crucify Jesus.

Knowing facts about Jesus is not a substitute for following.

YOU MUST SUBMIT TO JESUS.

· Pilate will try to pass Jesus off on Herod.

· Pilate will try to compromise by simply scourging Jesus.

· Pilate will try to substitute Jesus for Barabbas.

· Pilate will try to wash his hands of any guilt.

· Pilate will hang a sign on the cross.

But Pilate will never bow His knee to Christ and become His follower.

Let me spell it to you as clearly as possible church.

Jesus is here purchasing redemption for His followers.

· NOT FOR people who just know about Him.

· NOT FOR people who try to stay neutral about Him.

· NOT FOR people who try to dodge Him.

· NOT FOR people who try to bargain with Him.

JESUS IS REDEEMING HIS FOLLOWERS.

He is redeeming those who have heard His words,

And who have submitted their lives to following Him.

IS THAT YOU?

Then rejoice!

· Jesus is fighting this battle alone and He is fighting it to the end!

· He is standing strong amidst every attack.

· He is winning and He will win.

BUT IF IT IS NOT YOU,

Don’t deceive yourself and say you are follower

If in reality you are nothing more than a spectator.

Pilate tried to wash His hands.

Someone should have sang to Him, “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

Friend, get off the fence, and submit your life to the Kingship of Jesus.

Bow to Him, trust in Him.

“Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way. For His wrath my soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”

And it is that refuge we are going to celebrate again here this morning.

As we come to the table of the Lord.

Follower of Christ, this is for you.

What Jesus did in His arrest and in His trial, He did for you.

He stood before the wrath of men that you might escape the wrath of God

Today we celebrate that as we again come to the Table of the Lord.

THE LORD’S SUPPER

· Deacons Come Forward

Matthew 16:24-27 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? “For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds.”

· Give Bread To Deacons

· Deacon Prayer

· Deacons Pass Out Bread

1 Corinthians 11:23-24 “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

· Take Bread

John 12:23-26 “And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. “He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.”

· Give Juice To Deacons

· Deacon Prayer

· Deacons Pass Out Juice

1 Corinthians 11:25-26 “In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”

· Take Juice

· Deacon Prayer

· Parting Song