Who Killed Jesus? WE DID!

Memory Verse: Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in vew of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.”

We began our lesson today with a skit depicting Jesus’ betrayal, arrest and conviction. Who do you think was responsible for His death? Judas? The High Priest? The crowd that wanted Barabbas instead of Him? Pilate? Who was responsible?

Guess what! You and me and every other human being that ever lived, is living, or ever will live is responsible for Jesus’ death. Their sins, your sins, our sins and the sins committed by those not even born yet are responsible for Jesus’ death. Sin. Breaking God’s laws and not loving each other and not treating each other with honor and respect nailed Jesus to the cross. Every one of us is responsible because we are all guilty of sinning.

Romans 3:9-31 9 "Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles are under the power of sin. 10 As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous— not even one. 11 No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. 12 All have turned away;all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one. 13 “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies.” “Snake venom drips from their lips. 14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” 15 “They rush to commit murder. 16 Destruction and misery always follow them. 17 They don’t know where to find peace.” 18 “They have no fear of God at all.” 19 Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. 20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. 21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. 27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. 28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law. 29 After all, is God the God of the Jews only? Isn’t he also the God of the Gentiles? Of course he is. 30 There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. 31 Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law."

We are all sinners. It is only by accepting the sacrifice of Jesus’ life on the cross for our sins that our sins are forgiven. We have to trust the Word of God that Jesus’ death forgave all our sins --not His sins because He never sinned, not once, not ever during His whole life on earth.

2 Corinthians 5:21 21 "For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin so that we could be made right with God through Christ."

1 Peter 2:21-25 21 "For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. 25 Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls."

Jesus never sinned. He didn’t deserve to die, but only a sinless, perfect person could atone for the sins of man. So God became man and died for your/our/everyone’s sins.

Isn’t that an awesome and amazing gift. God, our Creator became our Savior, becoming human just like you and me. He chose to die for you and me so our sins could be forgiven and we could once again enjoy a relationship with the Father.

Satan no longer rules in our lives when we fully accept Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins. Jesus becomes our King. He rules in our lives to do good and to spread the wonderful message that we don’t have to be ruled by the sin and condemned by the sin in our lives. Jesus died so we can say no to sin. What an awesome gift. What amazing love God has for us. When will you choose to accept this gift He is offering to everyone?

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