Introduction
At the conclusion of Luke 22, the Jewish leadership of Israel conducted an illegal trial and determined that Jesus must die. However, they lacked the authority to execute him. They had to convince the civil authority (the Roman governor) that Jesus was a threat and deserved to die. In the sermon text for this Lord’s Day, we follow Jesus through the three phases of his Roman trial (Luke 23:1-25). Several elements of the story display the injustice of the proceedings and thus unveil the depth of God’s indescribable love for us.
The hymns selected for this service will express wonder at the unimaginable love God—love so great that the King would stoop to suffer such injustice for us.
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
Prelude
Call to Worship: Psalm 99:1-5
Invocation
PROCLAMATION
Hymn 67 Come Christians, Join to Sing
Notes: Jesus’ accusers use this title, “Christ,” against him. “He claims to be a king,” they said. We begin the service by joining “heart and voice” to sing “loud praise to Christ our King.” We rejoice in the knowledge that his “love will never end.”
Worship through Giving
Scripture Reading 1 Peter 2:13-25
Note: Peter instructed his readers to follow Jesus’ example when dealing with injustice in the world. Peter’s description of our King’s humble submission to his abusers reveals the unfathomable depth of his love for us.
Hymn 249 O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus!
Note: This hymn is an exuberant expression of wonder and joy at this deep love Jesus lavishes on all who belong to him. It is never ending, never changing, and never exhausted.
Pastoral Prayer
Hymn 278 How Can It Be?
Note: The first two verses of this hymn contrast the heights of the greatness of our Creator with the depths of his condescending death to save us. “How can it be that God should love a soul like me?” The answer is both simple and astounding: grace.
Message: The Perversion of Justice, Part 2
Luke 23:1-25
Pastor Steven Thomas
RESPONSE
Hymn 26 Great God of Wonders!
Notes: This hymn based on Micah 7:18 is a fitting response to Luke’s portrayal of Jesus’ humble submission to injustice—the just choosing to die for the unjust.
Who is a pard’ning God like Thee?
Or who has grace so rich and free?
Prayer Response: Dave Dossett
Benediction: John Miles