The Rejection of Jesus Who is Called Christ

The Rejection of Jesus Who is Called Christ

Matthew 27:25-26

Prepared by W.H. Wood - October 1, 1946

Introduction: Here in Matthew 27:15-26 is the story of the final, willful rejection of Jesus, and his deliverance to the executioners to be crucified.

I. The motive for rejecting Jesus: Why was he rejected?
1. Pilate was attempting to shirk his plain duty and responsibility - to shift to others the responsibility of deciding Christ's fate.
2. When he could not shift the responsibility, he determined to delay the matter; put it off as long as possible.
3. All the while he was refusing to follow the plain facts - all of which he knew.
4. Fearing and heeding the wicked people instead of fearing God and his own conscience, Pilate finally wrecked his own soul and condemned Jesus (Matt. 27:26)

II. The manner of rejecting Jesus
1. Pilate cowardly yielded against his better judgement.
2. Refused to be warned by his wife.
3. Killed an innocent man in order to keep favor with influential Jews - Politics - if you please.
4. Washed his hands in innocence, but bathed his soul in the blood of Christ.

III. The meaning of rejecting Jesus: The rejection of Jesus was weighed with five tragic meanings:
1. It meant the overriding of truth and justice.
2. It meant the strangulation of conscience and good judgement.
3. It meant the rejection of all the good counsel of his wife and friends.
4. It meant the crucifixion and death of one known to be innocent.
5. It meant facing this same Christ in the final judgement.