Who Killed Jesus? Lk. 23:33
Luke 23:33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him,
Intro. – There has been a great deal of controversy recently about Mel Gibson’s new movie – THE PASSION OF CHRIST. The controversy has been regarding the violence and brutality depicted in the film and the accusations made against it by Jewish organizations that it is anti-Semitic and that it will promote anti-Semitism.
This morning I want to address one of these accusations. WHO KILLED JESUS? Was it the Jews?
Our text says - "There they crucified him"
Who are the "they"?
The Bible tells us that there were at least eight individuals or groups that are responsible for the death of Jesus.
THE HUMAN INSTRUMENTS
Acts 4:26-27
26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ
27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together
1. HEROD– He had the opportunity to set Him free.
Luke 23:7-11
7 And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.
8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.
9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.
10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.
11 And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
2. PILATE – The Roman Governor of Palestine
Pilate didn’t want to crucify Jesus. He tried to set him free. He declared “I find no fault in Him.”
a. He thought having Jesus scourged would appease the crowd, but it didn’t.
b. He thought offering them Barabbus the criminal would appease them, but it didn’t.
c. He thought that washing his hands of the whole thing would free him from any responsibility. But it didn’t.
d. Ultimately because he was weak – He gave Jesus up to be crucified, knowing He had done nothing worthy of death.
3. The GENTILES – the Romans – Crucifixion was a Roman method of execution, not a Jewish method.
4. The PEOPLE OF ISRAEL - The Jews
Acts 2:36 - Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Are the Jews responsible for the death of Christ? – From reading the four gospel accounts of Christ’s Passion, I would say – Yes. – From a human perspective they had a part in it.
WHO ELSE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR JESUS CRUCIFIXION?
5. SATAN– It is the great protevangelium of the Bible -Gen. 3:15 – the first promise of a redeemer.
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Satan wanted to kill Jesus. He was completely blinded to the scripture teaching of a Jesus who was coming to die. I believe that it wasn’t until Jesus quoted Psalm 22:1 on the cross. –“My God my God why hast thou forsaken me” that Satan saw his downfall.
Satan thought he was victorious when he had Jesus on the cross, but in reality it was Jesus who was the victor.
6. GOD THE FATHER – Gen 22:1-14 (note Vs.8)
“And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.”
Rom 8:32 - He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all,
John 3:16
7. GOD THE SON – JESUS
John 10:17-18 - Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself.
Matt 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
8. Who else crucified Jesus? – WE DID.
Isa 53:5-6
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with 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 hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Our sins killed Jesus.
1. What Jesus suffered at the hands of Men?
Human hands might inflict physical suffering and death as any victim my die.
2. What Jesus suffered at the hands of God.
Only God could make Christ’s death a sin offering.
Only God could lay the iniquities of us all upon Jesus.
