Rowan Atkinson did a sketch where he pretended to be reading from the Bible and made fun of Jesus’ ability to perform miracles. The attitude he portrays http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN-8G0HCD5U as he pretends to be a minister is an attitude many display today. It is not a new attitude. Herod was only interested in Jesus if he could perform party tricks and when he was disappointed by the real man, he let his soldiers beat Jesus up. Do you know those that are cynical or even comedic about Jesus? Can we laugh about Jesus? When would it be inappropriate to laugh about him? When is it appropriate?
Luke 23:1-12
1Then the whole body of them got up and (A)brought Him before Pilate.
2(B)And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man (C)misleading our nation and (D)forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”
3So Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And He answered him and said, “(E)It is as you say.”
4Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “(F)I find no guilt in this man.”
5But they kept on insisting, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching all over Judea, (G)starting from Galilee even as far as this place.”
6When Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.
7And when he learned that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to (H)Herod, who himself also was in Jerusalem at that time.
Jesus before Herod
8Now Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus; for (I)he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him.
9And he questioned Him at some length; but (J)He answered him nothing.
10And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there, accusing Him vehemently.
11And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking Him, (K)dressed Him in a gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate.
12Now (L)Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for before they had been enemies with each other.
Questions
- What three accusations do the Jewish leaders make against Jesus?
- What is Jesus’ response to Pilate and Herod?
- Who is responsible for Jesus’ death?
- What do the various attitudes toward Jesus have in common?
- How are these attitudes reflected today?
Plymothian 