Why was Jesus Killed?

And when Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, 
he gave up his spirit,
Mt 27:50

I was asked the question Easter weekend, "Why did they kill Jesus?"  Great question!  Especially, why would the Jews, the chosen nation of God, whom God rescued over and over again in the Old Testament lead the charge to kill Jesus?  Let's go even further, the Jews did "evil in the eyes of the LORD" over and over again throughout history.   Yet, God gifts them with Jesus Christ, their long awaited Messiah (or Savior); and they send him to his death. Why? 

For starters: deceitful hearts (Jer 17:9)  Let's take a look at some of the ways the heart, if not properly cultivated, can deceive, and in this case; lead to the death of an innocent man by crucifixion.

Fear of losing their stature - Mt 21:23-27 
Here is a scenario for you to ponder. You have a job.  A respectable job, one that you like and frankly gives you perks: feeds the family, good bonus, vacation....  Then one day, a "new guy shows up."  You are not worried, you have been in this position for quite some time.  People love and respect you, your job is safe - yeah, you are not worried.  But what if???  What if the "new guy" starts getting projects you used to get.  What if people are now going to him for answers that they used to come to you for?  What if he begins to tell people that what you have told them, is wrong!  What if the rumor is that he may get the promotion that YOU have been expecting?  You have done your job well, yeah, you are not worried.  Except, that you are...

That is where the religious leaders in this story reside.  A bit of context. Everyone studied the Torah (the first 5 books of the bible) as part of their education.  They were expected to memorize and be able to recite text when prompted.  At around the age of 13, many stopped their education and went back to work (typically) in their families industry. Take fishing for example.  If your family were fishermen, well you left school and fished for a living. But, if you did well at memorizing/knowing the text, your education continued expanding to include the Major and Minor prophets.  If you excelled, at the end of this time, as only a select few did, you might be chosen by a Rabbi to follow in "his dust" (follow him day and night so closely that the dust off of his sandals would hit yours). Finally, when justified, you gain your own title of Rabbi, and others would follow you.  The religious leaders, crème da la crème- the cream of the crop, teaching others what they were to understand about their faith.

Then came Jesus, the "new guy." He began to teach people (the role of the Rabbi and religious leaders), but also performed miracles and healed people!  The people (the flock of the Rabbi leadership), began to go to Jesus for answers.  Not only did they call Jesus, Rabbi (Teacher), they referred to him as "the Messiah" - the expected Savior of the Jewish people.  Argh!  Can you imagine?  Jesus was from Galilee - come on!  That is the home of the fishermen!  They flunked out at age 13!  Jesus was not only questioning the authority of the leaders, but he even had the audacity to question what they were teaching their flock.  

Picture the scene, Mt 21:23-27, Jesus had taught before in the synagogues, but this time, he was at the temple and the Jewish leaders (Rabbis) were going to get to the bottom of what "the new guy" was teaching: "Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him.  "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked.  "And who gave you this authority?" (Mt 21:23,  emphasis mine)

There it is, "you are trying to take my job."

Rage/Jealousy - Mt 21:28-46
Jealousy rears it's ugly head, and rage is soon to follow.  After the religious leaders question Jesus' authority, Jesus began to teach in parables.  This would allow not only the religious leaders to understand, but all who were present.  He shares the parable of the two sons.  Jesus gives 2 scenarios of behavior and asks the leaders, which behavior is the right response?  First, the son who said that he would not work in the vineyard, but later chose to do so.  Or, the son that said he would, but didn't.  The first they answered. Then Jesus makes it clear that the religious leaders fall into the latter category. He tells them that tax collectors and prostitutes would enter the kingdom of heaven ahead of them, because the tax collectors and prostitutes believed John the Baptist who taught about the Messiah; the religious leaders did not.  And even when they could see that John was correct, that Jesus was the Messiah, they did not repent and believe him.  

Next he shared the parable of the tenants.  In this parable, a landowner who owns a vineyard, rents out the vineyard and goes on a trip.  At harvest time, he sends several people to collect the fruit produced, but the tenants (comfortable in their position), beat, seized or killed all who were sent; including the landowners son. In the parable, the tenants believed that if they killed the land owner's son, then they could take his inheritance; stepping in as if they were the rightful heirs. Jesus already knew the future. The religious leaders had been "tenants" to the people in explaining the law, but Jesus, came to "fulfill" the law.  It was his rightful inheritance. Jesus does not mince words. "Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you." (Mt 21:43) 

Do they repent? Ask for forgiveness and follow Jesus?  NO.  "When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus' parables, they knew he was talking about them and they looked for a way to arrest him."  (Mt 21:45-46a, emphasis mine)

It is so easy to look at them and shake your head.  How could they not know he was the Messiah?  They knew the Old Testament, they heard his words and they even saw him heal and perform miracles.  But the law was theirs, wasn't it?  For a time, but they were not the rightful heirs.

But don't we do that?  We have the bible. We have God's word.  We even have the presence of the Holy Spirit in or around us. Yet, like the religious leaders, we cling to what is on this earth: power, position, money, authority, etc....  For others it is the need to please those here on earth; even above Jesus.  Let's see what happens next in our story.

Need to please those around them - Mt 27:11-26 
Jesus was arrested and given to the Roman court to be condemned.  The Governor, a man named Pontius Pilate, resided over the "trial."  He knew "that it was out of envy that they handed Jesus over to him."  (Mt 27:18)  He was warned by his wife not to get involved. He even went so far as to propose an idea to the mob that had gathered in from of him.  He had 2 prisoners: Jesus, and Barabbas a convicted insurrectionist and murderer.  He would offer them both to the mob for judgment; one would be released, the other, punished.  They would not alter their course, release Barabbas! they shouted. When not feeling heard, the crowd began to shout, "crucify him (Jesus)."  So Pilate sent Jesus to be flogged and crucified, but not before he washed his hands of the situation.  He took water and washed his hands in front of them saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood. It is your responsibility."  To which they quickly replied, "let his blood be on us and on our children." (Mt 27:24-25)  So Jesus hung on a cross until his last breath.

I can almost sense you shaking your head at this one.  I know that I am. How could they?  They had a choice to free him. Barabbas was a murderer; Jesus healed people. I can tell you this, it is a slow fade.  You don't wake up one morning and say, I want to have someone crucified.  No, the heart is deceitful.  Jealousy creeps in, then anger, soon comes rage and bitterness. Before you say, no, that could not happen to me.  Let's use an example of today to which every person must decide. One that I myself have struggled with: "Do I go to this movie or not?"  Sigh.... But I am realizing that our decision, in choosing yes or no in that moment, is a product of many decisions prior to that moment.  I know, we moved from crucifixion to movies, but just follow me a minute.

We know what is honorable in the eyes of the LORD - our eyes are the lamp of the body; if our eyes are healthy, then we are healthy. (Mt 6:22)  If we are not sure what is honorable, we are so blessed to have God's Word at our fingertips.  And if you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior, the Holy Spirit is there to counsel you - you know, that gut feeling you get when you think about that scene or that show.  Maybe what stirs you is the rating, the content, the commercials before or in between; the question is, how do we respond?  It is just one scene.  Just one show.  "I don't want people to think I am a prude or worse, judging them."  Except that this is not a one decision issue.  It is a heart issue.  The seeds of "what is evil in the sight of the LORD," starts at what ground you sow each and every decision.  I know this example is not critical to our salvation and it is one that everyone has to make for themselves.  However, every day we have to make decisions.  We can only serve one Master (Mt 6:24).  I guess the real question is, "Is Jesus your Master, or is the world?"

Betrayal - Mt 26:1-3, 14-16, 20-24  
For the religious leaders, their Master was the world.  They dressed themselves up in robes of righteousness, but their hearts were definitely owned by the world.  Make no mistake, these words are as piercing to me as they may be to you.  But let's look at God's word to see how mere men can, overtime without a heart check, lead to the murder of an innocent Man.  

Take a look at Matthew 5:21-26.  Jesus refers to the commandment, "Do not murder," and how it is being defined by religious leaders.  He then proceeds to make clear what the commandment really means.  He says, "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to punishment.  He adds, that "anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin (the religious leaders ruling people).  But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell."  Wow. Jesus is making it clear here, the Sanhedrin might be the ones who make the rules on who will be punished on this earth for murder, but if you call a brother you fool...you have already committed the crime.  This is only one of 6 common examples that he uses in chapter 5, but in each of them his words are the same.  It all begins in the heart, long before the Sanhedrin or anyone else can condemn you. 

We see that in the crucifixion.  In Mt 26:1-3 we see the "chief priests and elders" were gathering together to condemn Jesus and plot to kill him.  They found their answer in Judas who was a disciple of Jesus, traveling with him, watching him heal people, perform miracles and hearing his teaching, all first hand.  Judas went to the chief priests and for money decides to betray Jesus. (Mt 26:14-16)  In Mt 26:20-26, Jesus tells his disciples that "one of them would betray him."  They all denied that they would.  And even though Judas had already taken the money and plotted with the chief priests to turn Jesus over to them, he too denied that he would betray Jesus (vs 25). 

I guess Judas did not listen to Jesus when he had just prophesied who would betray him, "the one who dips his hand in the bowel with me (Mt 26:25) - which only the true Messiah would know."  Maybe Judas did it for the money? Maybe he did it because he really believed that Jesus was not the Messiah (despite all that he has witnessed with his own eyes)? Maybe it was Satan? Maybe Judas was just tired of travelling?  One thing is for certain.  Whatever seed sowed his betrayal, it did it in his heart long before the night of the Passover meal.  

Yes, the heart is deceitful, so don't let your heart be deceived on this final point.

Ultimately: Jesus died willingly to save us.   

It was prophesied - Is 53, Mt 16:21-28, Mt 17:22-23
The truth of Jesus was prophesied long before he came to this earth as a baby.  The seed of lies in this world were also sown.  The question lies in, do we believe the truth that has been revealed to us?  Or do we follow our deceitful hearts? 

We could say that deceitful hearts won out in the case of those who crucified Jesus.  They were caught up in the sins of fear, rage/jealousy, the need to please those around them and betrayal.  They were also caught up in the sin of longing for this world above their love for a God who had saved them.  Remember, it is a slow fade.  In 1 Sam 8, the chosen people of God were already seeking things of this world above God.  He was their King. However, they saw nations around them with a physical king.  A human, that would sit on a throne, show them favor and protect them.  So they began to ask God for an earthly King.  They demanded it of the LORD and in the end, he decided to give them their earthly King. (1 Sam 8:22) It did not turn out as they had hoped, there was much turmoil.  Yet, in the scriptures that we read today, his people were still looking for an earthly King that would save them.  Jesus did not fit their expectations.

Again, we could say that deceitful hearts won out here, but God knows the heart of man and sent Jesus to save us just as prophesied in Isaiah 53 long before.  "He was despised and rejected by men (vs. 3) he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows (vs. 4), he was pierced for our transgressions (vs. 5), he was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to slaughter (vs. 7), after the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities (vs. 11), he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors.  For he bore the sin of many, and made intersession for the transgressors (vs. 12).

Life played out exactly as Isaiah prophesied, but life just didn't look like they expected. As a result, Jesus was crucified.  He died on the cross a sinless man and was resurrected 3 days later.  What man does, God can still use for his good.  

Yes, our hearts are deceitful.  The good news?  When Jesus died, he washed us (those who believe in him) clean of our sins.  Yes, we sin, daily and our hearts are deceitful, but our love for him should prevail.  We live in the hope of Jesus Christ.  Please hear me.  We are all sinners.  This message was so convicting to me.  We all get caught up in the world and make decisions unbecoming of our love for Christ.   

So how do we know if what we are doing is in accordance with God's desire?  I am working on this and hope to share more of my learning soon to come.  But these things I know.  First, commit your life to Christ.  Secondly, seek a relationship with Christ through prayer and reading his Word.  Finally, continue to check your heart daily to get the best advice that you can receive. Advice from Christ himself! Do it now, do it daily; for when we have troubles, and we will, where the world tests our faith, let us be strong and fortified from the work that we have been sowing daily so that we may honor Jesus and glorify him through our actions.  May God purify our hearts.