Who Is Really On Trial?

Who Is Really On Trial?

From Living Word NRA Sermon Podcast by Living Word NRA

May 10, 2026

About this episode

This sermon explores the themes of envy, cowardice, and grace as depicted in Mark 15:1-15, questioning who is truly on trial in the narrative of Jesus' crucifixion.

Sermon Title: WHO IS REALLY ON TRIAL?Sermon Text: MARK 15:1-15Sermon Series: THE PASSION NARRATIVE: FROM BETRAYAL TO THE CROSSBy: PTR NIC SY SERMON NOTES I. THE CHIEF PRIESTS: ROBES DON’T MAKE YOU RIGHTEOUS envy | Greek phthonos | “displeasure for another’s good” Jealousy wants what another person has. Envy goes further: it resents the other person for having it. The most dangerous corruption isn’t the kind that looks evil; it’s the kind that looks holy. Reflect: When someone else is praised, promoted, trusted, or used by God, what happens inside you? Envy is not a small sin. In this passage, envy helps send Jesus to the cross. II. PILATE: POWER DOESN’T MAKE YOU BRAVE Many people do not reject Jesus because they are convinced he is false. They reject him because following him would cost too much. Reflect: Who gets to decide what faithfulness looks like in your life — Jesus or the crowd? The cross is not only proof of human cowardice. It is proof of divine courage. III. THE CROWD & BARABBAS: GUILT DOESN’T HAVE THE LAST WORD BARABBAS: Bar (son) + Abba (Father) = son of the father Substitution: The guilty goes free because an innocent one takes the sentence. Reflect: Have you ever…

People in this episode

Host: PTR NIC SY

Topics covered

  • trial
  • envy
  • faithfulness
  • grace
  • cowardice
  • substitution

Keywords

  • trial
  • envy
  • grace
  • Mark 15
  • Pilate
  • Barabbas
  • chief priests
  • crowd
  • faithfulness

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: THE PASSION NARRATIVE: FROM BETRAYAL TO THE CROSS

Places: MARK

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