Matthew 27:27-31 God Will Not Be Mocked

• So we are here at the end of the week, we’re moving towards Good Friday and Easter. But lets not rush
• Jesus is here, into the Praetorium, which was the courtyard of the Roman governor
• The exact amount is unclear- ‘the whole garrison’ it says, surrounded Jesus and was prepared for the crucifixion of Jesus
• 600-1000 soldiers by some estimates. That’s a lot of men to be there for a man whom had no political power, or had any sort of army or weaponry. Clearly they saw him as some sort of threat. 
• So they go into this sort charade and play where they begin to concoct a display of their disdain for him. Do everything publicly to make him appear less than he is to everyone around. 
• They give him a crown of thorns, a reed for a scepter, a robe and then they bow down an mock him to his face. They perform a ‘play’ a ‘mockery’ and a public charade of sorts. 
• “Hail king of the jews” they cry- They spit on him, strike him, and put clothes on him
• It’s a disgusting sad display. To them its warranted. They don’t love him. They don’t revere him. They hate him and want him destroyed. So they do this publicly to do whatever they can to dissuade and discourage anyone from worshipping him, following him, or defending him. 
• They Mock him. Publicly and in their hearts. 
• Mockery is interesting. It’s to treat with contempt and ridicule. To disappoint the hopes of. To defy and challenge. To imitate or mimic as a from of sport. To make that which is holy unholy. 
• They are attempting to destroy him and his following. They are mocking him

As with all biblical record, we look at it and wonder- what would we do and respond. What’s the application to us as we read it and live out the scriptures. This isn’t an instructive scripture, it’s a descriptive scripture. It’s describing an event. But We can look at it and apply it. 

1. We don’t want to treat God with contempt

• These soldiers here are treating Jesus with utter contempt- the feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, disregard for something that should be taken into account, the offense of being disobedient to or disrespectful. (They didn’t revere Jesus for who he was)
• No one likes to be treated that way, and here we find Jesus being treated this way. 
• My whole life, I’ve never liked to see disrespect or dishonor. It’s wrong. It lacks decorum
• But these Guys here- They have the power and they are using it. Disregarding Jesus’ position on this earth. Sure, they don’t know, but they don’t like the Jews so so what? Who cares?
• This is par for the course- 
• Unbelievers have constantly mocked God. In the OT we see examples of it. 
• 2 Chronicles 36:16 But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy.
• Psalm 78:10 They did keep the covenant of God; They refused to walk in His law,
• And in this day and age as well. We are so culturally insignificant around these parts. No one cares about us, or respects us. Most people you meet aren’t fawning over the fact that you’re a Christian (Guy in gym- talking, then told him I’m Christian, never seen him) No one impressed
• We will continue to be mocked by society as it ‘progresses’. What we stand for and against will not be heralded by the masses nor be accepted. (they want to do whatever with no constraints) 
• But know this- God is not mocked. He will work it all out in the end. 
• Psalm 2:4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision.
• Here with Jesus when he returns from the dead, and with you when Jesus returns. 
• So what do we do?
• Well, don’t be a person who holds the things of God in contempt publicly and privately
• Romans 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
• Do you treat the things of God as a common thing? Just another day?
• We have HUGE freedom in Christ, but why? I show my wife respect, she to I as well. 
• This is why I hammer on cell phones, and appearance and decorum in the house of God. 
• It’s not because its some sort of biblical requirement, it just shows honor. It separates us from the world. Every movie I go to- no phone ETC ETC. People follow it! Not in church!
• Ecc 5:1 Walk prudently when you go to the house of God;
• ALSO- Don’t be quick to show God’s treasures to others who don’t get it- its not for them- somethings are only for us (in early church, only the baptized were allowed to stay in service) 
• Matthew 7:6 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.
• Its one of the reasons I don’t love the livestream. I don’t know who’s watching. This is special. 
• GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF IT THO- 2 Peter 3:3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts,
• They can and may use it against us because they don’t understand it. Church is not for the unbeliever. Its not for them. If you don’t believe and you’re sitting here mocking- Don’t. 
• 2 Peter 2:10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries,

2. We don’t want to discourage others

• It isn’t said- but I wonder the motive behind these guards mocking Jesus- what was the end Goal? I think more than likely its to quell the uprising, end his ministry, control Rome
• They don’t want to lose power, they’ve already seen his power, they don’t know what else these people are capable of! Kill the leader! (this is what they still do to leaders) 
• The truth is that they didn’t even know because they didn’t even believe
• But they were trying to INFLUENCE OTHERS to believe as they believed
• That Jesus was NOT the messiah, he was NOT a king and NOT to be followed. 
• We’re crucifying him and YOU’RE NEXT is the message that they are sending. 
• Its like Jude 10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves.
• So for US- We don’t want to be ‘that guy’ we don’t want to be the evil influence on someone
• I take what I preach very seriously- ‘not many of you should be’ be careful what you teach
• Luke 17:1-2 people are going to be offended, but Jesus says, we don’t want to be the reason that someone turns away from the Lord. ‘little ones’ is disciples
• So we should watch what we say and who we say it to and how we say it. 
• Problem- Human nature is that we want to be above someone. We love to be teachers
• Meet someone on vacation who has been there longer than you- they want to tell you what you should be doing. Like the feeling of being an expert. (Basic training shut up wk 3)
• That’s fine- but we can be over bearing in the Church when we feel as though its our job to be someone’s Holy Ghost- To speak about things which we do not know, or influence others on our convictions, or teach them something contrary to the scriptures. BE CAREFUL
• 2 peter 2:2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.
• So we need to WATCH ourselves- we need to pay attention to who we are discouraging with our actions and word. We can inadvertently contribute to leading others astray
• 1 Corinthians 8:11-12 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
• Everyone isn’t at the same point in their faith- you have to tread lightly. Be careful. 
• You obviously aren’t scourging Jesus in the town square, but when you mock the things of God that you do not understand, or convict a weak believer because of your convictions, you can do some big damage. (if you don’t believe Tongues, prophecy, doctrine, worship, etc.) 
• 1 Corinthians 9:22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
• TRUST GOD- He knows what he’s doing. He’s the senior pastor. He’s in charge. 
• Isaiah 40:11 He will feed His flock like a shepherd He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.
• I’ve said this many times– Give God the time with others he gave YOU. 
• Do want this to be you? Romans 2:24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written.
• Probably not direct application- but close- do you want anyone to blaspheme God because of you? Because of your actions and your speech? Bc of a book, doctrine, video, etc you shared?
• Be very careful what you take part in. where you go. What you support. Young believers can be very easily influenced. They lack discernment. They have malleable spirits. Give them BIBLE. 

3. We don’t want to mimic we want to be real. 

• Part of mockery is mimicry. Its putting on a charade or a play. Its faking. 
• This is what the soldiers are doing here- “you’re king, here’s your crown, scepter, robe’
• Its horribly disgusting to think that they would make fakery of Jesus to pretend
• He knows their hearts- He knows what they are doing and he lets them. He lets them.
  • The Bible does not speak well of this sort. That purport to be something they are not. Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.
  • Psalm 101:7 He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; he who tells lies shall not continue in my presence.
  • I’m not talking about worshipping or serving when you don’t feel like it. Its far more encompassing than that. Its acting like you’re farther along than you are. Feigning holiness on Sundays when there is no inner conviction or change. That mimicry mocks the things of God. 
  • Revelation 3:17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—
  • Just be honest with where you are at. Don’t fake the funk. No one needs that. 
  • Luke 18:11-14 Thank God I am not like these people here HONESTY. 
  • Pr 19:9 A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies shall perish.
  • Colossians 3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds
  • Luke 8:17 For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.
  • No mimicry to the king of kings. Just honesty and truth. Don’t just act like a Christian. 
  • I don’t want you to be anyone but you- Stolen Valor- “bring your DD214” Gonzo

4. We want to hold onto hope

• As the Soldiers mock Jesus and we watch him be carried off to the crucifixion, we want to hold onto hope. The bible doesn’t describe the crowd as having that, be we know the end
• We want to hold to the hope of the resurrection and life everlasting then and NOW
• Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
• Standing in that crowd it would be easy to think that this was the end- That your king was going to be crucified and all the ministry was for nothing, but no. It wasn’t. HE WILL RETURN
• The pre-easter message is that Jesus is going to make it all good. It will end well. 
• 1 peter 1:33 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
• In your life on the day to day basis 
• You need to hold onto hope and share hope with others who are discouraged
• Be the person in the crowd who tells people its going to be Ok- Let them know they are not alone. Preach that Jesus will return soon. Don’t mock the things of God. Stay steadfast
• We’re saved! We know the truth- And it sets us free from the bondage of this world>! 
• Get the Holy Spirit inside of you- Be baptized and filled with the spirit. Walk with God
• Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Stay in the word- There is hope there- A word fitly spoken in due season. 
• Romans 15:4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
• Receive Christ and know that all will be worked out. 
• The greatest strength is to know that you are in this world and not of this world, that your king is real and that he will not be mocked
• Give your life to Jesus- Put your faith and assurance in HIS kingship and live for HIM
• Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

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