The Silence Of The Lamb Series

Mark 15:1-15

The Silence of THE Lamb

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29

He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. Isaiah 53:7

Intro – Jody Foster and Anthony Hopkins star in the movie “The Silence of the Lambs” which explores the dark and depraved parts of the mind. Intense and violent, it reflects the depravity of man at its worst. Here, in this Silence of The Lamb, Jesus has the sin of humanity imputed or placed upon Him in order to remove the barrier between God and man.

In our study today, The Silence of the Lamb explores the sovereignty and royalty of Jesus Christ as He stands trial for crimes He never committed.

1 Immediately, in the morning (between 3 AM and 6 AM; just as the sun was rising to legitimatize their actions), the chief priests held a consultation (they had a sense of urgency for their work) with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate.

The Consultation of the Sanhedrin 1

Their discussion

Its early morning and they must finalize their plans for Jesus conviction. Jesus was taken to Annas, Caiaphas, Pilate, Herod Agrippa I and now back to Pilate for a second time. They must have the right accusations against Him for Pilate to crucify Him.

Their determination

They changed their charges from blasphemy (in their Sanhedrin convention) to three other accusations: treachery, tax evasion and treason. Of the three, treason or overthrowing the Roman government was the most serious. They knew that Pilate would have to consider the charges. After all, He was a threat to Rome and must die. Surely, Pilate could see that!

Their decision

Jesus MUST die!

Illustration: Charles Manson was responsible for masterminding the August 9, 1969 murder of the Tate/LaBianca’s. As evil and wicked as Manson was in killing the 8 month pregnant 26 year old Sharon Tate and the other six people, the actions of the Jewish religious leaders were even more reprehensible!

The Jewish leaders were confronted by Jesus for their greed, avarice and legalistic lives. But in their minds, they were justified because they were the “chosen people” of God. Jesus called them white-washed sepulcher or painted tombstones.

2 Then Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" He answered and said to him, "It is as you say." 3 And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. 4 Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, "Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!" 5 But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.

The Investigation of Jesus 2-5

Pilate’s questions, concerns and conclusion

33 Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" 34 Jesus answered him, "Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?" 35 Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?" 36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." 37 Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." John 18:33-37 (NKJV)

Jesus’ query, silence and suffering

Jesus confronted Pilate by His statement on Truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice. John 18:37. Pilate responded but not by faith. He did not hear and was not one chosen by God.

Notice Jesus’ demeanor and stately authority while being questioned in this kangaroo court.

6 Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. 7 And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. 8 Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. 9 But Pilate answered them, saying, "Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?" 10 For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. 12 Pilate answered and said to them again, "What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?" 13 So they cried out again, "Crucify Him!" 14 Then Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they cried out all the more, "Crucify Him!" 15 So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.