Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

The King is Judged

Bryan Schneider · February 10, 2024

Mark 14:53-65

sharonrpc.org/sermons/the-king-is-judged

Summary

Jesus' nighttime hearing is unjust from the start: the council seeks testimony to reach a predetermined death sentence, accepts false witnesses, and disregards its own legal safeguards.
Jesus remains silent before false accusations in fulfillment of Isaiah's suffering servant, but answers directly when asked whether he is the Christ, the Son of the Blessed.
His answer identifies him as the promised Messiah, the divine Son of Man from Daniel 7, the Lord at God's right hand in Psalm 110, and the coming Judge.
Caiaphas' temporary priesthood is being eclipsed by the everlasting High Priest whose heavenly ministry and perfect sacrifice fulfill every temple shadow.
Jesus is both priest and offering: his once-for-all sacrifice truly removes sin where repeated animal sacrifices never could.
The church must reject culturally remade versions of Jesus and receive the whole biblical Christ—Prophet, Priest, King, divine Son, sacrifice, and Judge.
In the Jesus revealed by Scripture, believers have peace, hope, forgiveness, righteous government, and everlasting life.

Do I receive Jesus as he reveals himself, or select only the traits that fit my politics, comfort, or culture?
What does Jesus' claim to sit at the right hand of power and come with the clouds reveal about his deity and authority?
Why does the true Judge willingly submit to an unjust human judgment?
Am I prepared to worship Jesus as both Savior and the Judge who separates the sheep from the goats?
Where do the priesthood and sacrifices of the Old Testament find their fulfillment?
How does Christ's once-for-all offering give peace that repeated human efforts cannot provide?

Christ: The Anointed One promised from David's line who fulfills the offices of Prophet, Priest, and King.
Son of Man: Jesus' title from Daniel 7 for the divine-human ruler who receives everlasting dominion and comes with heaven's clouds.
High Priest: The mediator who represents the people before God; Jesus fulfills this office eternally and perfectly.
Sacrifice: Christ's once-for-all offering of himself to satisfy justice and remove the sins of his people.
Messianic secret: Mark's repeated restraint on publicly declaring Jesus' identity until the decisive disclosure at his trial and passion.
False witness: Testimony that distorts or invents claims against another, condemned by God's law and used unjustly against Jesus.