Whose Error Was It?

I. Introduction

A. Read Matt. 27:62-66

B. Emphasis Matt. 27:63-64

C. We have read of the Crucifixtion of Jesus Christ, but on the next day, the chief priests and Pharisees came to Pilate an interesting statement concerning the stealing of Christ’s body - "The last error shall be worse than the first." (Matt. 27:64)

D. My question is quite simply, "Whose ERROR was it?"

II. The Error of the Chief Priests & Pharisees (John 2:13-19)

A. Jesus had cleared the Temple in Jerusalem; Then the religious leaders of the Jews asked Him concerning a sign of authority.

B. Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in 3 days I will raise it again."

C. The Error of the Jews was that they had no idea that He spoke of His Body, not the Temple building in Jerusalem.

III. The Error of Nicodemus (John 3:1-7)

A. Nicodemus came to Jesus by night so that he might inquire of Jesus in private.

B. Nicodemus admitted that Jesus was a teacher "come from God" because no man could perform the miracles that Jesus had.

C. Jesus then commenced identifying Nicodemus’ problem - It was one of "Wrong Nature" - Nicodemus Was Born WRONG!

D. The Error of Nicodemus was that he thought that Jesus spoke of being born again of woman; He did not understand that Jesus spoke of Spiritual Rebirth!

IV. The Error of Peter (Matt. 16:21-23)

A. Jesus had just taken His disciples to Caesarea Philippi.

B. After Peter had just made the bold statement - "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" - Jesus told them of the foundation of the church - Himself, not Peter - and vs. 20-22 states that He began to tell them of His future death, burial, and resurrection.

C. Peter’s Error was that he did not understand the purpose & plan of Jesus Christ’s first coming into this world!

V. The Error of Judas (Lk. 22:47-48; Matt. 27:3-5))

A. Jesus had already instituted His Supper and given the disciples His Upper Room Discourse on that dreadful night of His arrest.

B. The Error of Judas was that he betrayed the Son of Man for thirty pieces of silver.

C. Judas "Kissed Heaven’s Door & Died and Went to Hell!"

VI. The Error of Pilate (Matt. 27:19-24; John 19:8-11)

A. Pilate’s Error was that he should have listened to his wife!

B. Pilate, knowing that Jesus was innocent, was more concerned with the pleasures of this life than with his own soul!

C. Pilate thought that he could wash the blood of Jesus from his hands with water - when at the same time, the Blood of Jesus alone could cleanse him from his sin!

VII. The Error of Soldiers at the Cross (John 19:23-24)

A. The Error of the Soldiers was that they were more interested in material possessions than the very blood that dripped beside them.

B. One soldier walked away thinking that he had gained much; he is in HELL knowing what he had lost!

VIII. The Error of the People at the Cross (Matt. 27:39-44)

A. The Error of the People at the Cross was that they had believed the false teachings of the priests & Pharisees concerning what Jesus had spoken - "Destroy this temple and in 3 days I will raise it again."

B. They mocked the very Son of God; the Promised and longed for Messiah that would come as prophesied in the Old Testament!

C. Another Error of these people was that they thought that they could Make Deals with God!

D. My friend, If YOU are Lost, YOU can Only Be Saved God’s Way! (Jn. 14:6; Rom. 10:9-10; Lk. 13:3; 5)

IX. The Error of the Women (Lk. 24:1-9)

A. The Error of these Disciples of Jesus was that they came to the sepulchre to anoint the body of Jesus who had been crucified.

B. They were met by an angel who asked, "Why seek ye the Living among the Dead? HE is not Here, but is Risen: REMEMBER how He spake unto you when He was yet in Galilee…."

C. Their Error was that they had forgotten what Jesus had said; They did not Believe Him!

X. The Error of the Eleven Disciples (Lk. 10-11; John 20:3-9)

A. The Error of the Eleven Disciples of Jesus was that they too did not Believe that Jesus would Rise from the Grave!

B. John 20:3-9 relates the story of how John & Peter both ran to the tomb of Jesus that Resurrection Morning!

C. They finally entered the Empty Tomb and saw the evidence of the Napkin separated from the Linen Clothes! Jesus is Coming Again!!

XI. The Error of Felix -Roman Governor of Caesarea (Acts 24:24-25)

A. The Error of Felix was that, although he desired to listen to Paul speak of Faith in Christ, and although he trembled with conviction, he put off being saved.