Who Killed Christ?

Controversy about the movie –

“The Passion of the Christ”

Introduction

• Newsweek Magazine – had a cover story – “Who Killed Jesus?”

• Mel Gibson’s movie has renewed an old debate and discussion

• Some of you may have seen the movie.

• We will look at the question.

The Jews Killed Jesus

• This view is responsible for much anti-Semitism through history.

• Inquisitions, Holocaust, Ghettoization

• Jewish people today have a legitimate fear of reprisal because of this.

The Jews Killed Jesus

• John 7:1 – After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him.

• John 7:19 – Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?”

The Jews Killed Jesus

• John 10:31 - Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him.

• Acts 2:36 - “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

The Jews Killed Jesus

• The Jewish leaders were involved in the death of Jesus.

• But – Did Jesus hold them guilty?

• Luke 23:34 - Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

The Romans Killed Jesus

• John 18:28 - Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover.

• John 18:31 - Then Pilate said to them, “You take Him and judge Him according to your law.” Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,”

The Romans Killed Jesus

• Crucifixion was a Roman means of capital punishment, not Jewish.

• So, the Romans were the ones who actually carried out the death sentence.

God Killed Jesus• John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He

gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

• Isaiah 53:4-5 - Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

Jesus Killed Himself

• John 10:11 - “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

• John 10:15 - As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

Jesus Killed Himself

• John 10:17-18 - “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

Jesus Killed Himself• Jesus remained silent before His accusers.

• He did not defend Himself against the charges.

• Because – He resolutely planned to die.

• Hymn – He could have called 10,000 angels

• Matthew 26:53 - Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?

Satan Killed Jesus

• Hebrews 2:14 - Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

• John 13:27 - Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”

Satan Killed Jesus

• Luke 22:53 - When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

• Satan is that “power of darkness.”

All of Us Killed Jesus

• Isaiah 53:4-6 – 4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Who Killed Jesus?

• Who really crucified Jesus?

• Was it the Jews?

• Was it the Romans?

• Was it God who planned it to happen?

• Was it Jesus himself who allowed it?

• Was it Satan?

• Was it not all of us?

YESYES

YES

YES

YESYES

Who Killed Jesus?

• How do you feel about what Jesus went through for you?

• Hebrews 6:6 - if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

• Could your life be making Jesus endure the Could your life be making Jesus endure the cross cross – AGAIN?