The Verdict (Part 2)

(by Pastor Joe)

John 19:35-36a:
The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled...

Your honor, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we have been together for a long time now (40 days Standing in Rain). We have painstakingly gone over every possible detail.

We have had dozens of eyewitnesses, of different backgrounds, all testify to the person and character of Jesus. From a prophet in the wilderness to a cultured Pharisee, from an outcast Samaritan woman to ordinary fisherman, from two grieving sisters to the very governor of Palestine. All have encountered Jesus and were dramatically affected.

We have examined the seven signs or miracles that this same Jesus has performed--never for His own advantage, I might add. Whether demonstrating His power to heal and restore (the nobleman's son, the lame man by the pool, the man born blind) or His ability to sustain many with bread and wine (a foreshadowing of what was to come through the cross). He not only brought back a man 4 days in the tomb, He Himself defeated death through His resurrection.

We have poured over the very words spoken by this Jesus--and have stood amazed not only at their beauty and sublimity, but also at their power to pierce past all pretence into the hearts of men. On seven separate occasions, He declared I AM with a powerful metaphor (the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the Gate, the Good Shepherd, the Resurrection and the Life, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and the True Vine.)

This Man has been confirmed by the Scriptures (John 5:39, 10:35, 13:18)
He has been confirmed by the Holy Spirit (John 1:33, 14:26)
He has been confirmed by His Heavenly Father (John 3:35, 5:36, 6:27)
The evidence is overwhelming, and I ask that you find in favor of my client, who actually is my Master, the Son of God. I ask that you believe upon Him, and find eternal life.

But your honor, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, during all of these events in the last months we thought that it was Jesus Christ who was on trial. But in actuality it has been everyone else: you, me, all of humanity are on trial, and one day “each of us will give an account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12).

On that day, plead Christ or don't plead at all.

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