Santa Cruz Baptist Church Sermons John 18:28-40; A King and a Kingdom
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Mar 9, 2026 A preacher walks through Jesus’ transfer to Pilate and the political theater of the trial. He explores Pilate’s character, the leaders’ hypocrisy, and the reshaped charges against Jesus. The sermon contrasts worldly power with a different kind of kingship and explains Jesus’ purpose as a witness to truth. It closes with the dramatic contrast between Barabbas’ release and Jesus’ condemnation.
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Religious Charges Were Framed As Political Threats
- Pilate's trial exposes competing kingship claims: Jewish leaders accuse Jesus to trigger Roman charges that threaten Caesar's rule.
- Drew Cunningham shows the leaders swapped a religious blasphemy case for political accusations that Rome would act on.
Pilate Provoked The Jews Repeatedly
- Drew outlines Pontius Pilate's background and pattern of provoking Jews with imperial images and temple seizures.
- Specific examples include banners of Tiberius, raiding the temple treasury for an aqueduct, and placing votive shields in Herod's palace.
Hypocrisy Of Ritual Purity
- The Jewish leaders show ritual piety while orchestrating Jesus' death, illustrating faithless religion.
- Drew cites their refusal to enter Pilate's headquarters to avoid defilement despite condemning the Passover Lamb.
