2. The Spirit of Religion Caiaphas

3. Matthew 23:1-12 NIV 11 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.234 55 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in6

4. Matthew 23:1-12 NIV the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.7 88 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.9101112

5. Matthew 26:57-68 NIV 5757 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.58 5959 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.60

6. Matthew 26:57-68 NIV Finally two came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ”61 6262 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent.63 The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

7. Matthew 26:57-68 NIV 6464 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 6565 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?”66 “He is worthy of death,” they answered.

8. Matthew 26:57-68 NIV  The Spirit of Religion is about control. →It is about control of other people.  It is political.  It is formulistic.  It is ritualistic. →It is about the attempt to control God. →Rituals are viewed as magic that obligate God to do what we want (at best) and manipulate God to do our bidding (at worst).

9. Matthew 26:57-68 NIV  The Spirit of Religion is not about trusting God or believing in Him.  Religion disavows the sovereignty of God.  Religion disavows the wisdom of God.  Religion disavows the goodness of God.  Religion treats God as if He is a system of beliefs to be mastered.  Religion uses legalism as a smoke screen for an unchanged, sin-ridden life.

10. Matthew 26:57-68 NIV  The Spirit of Religion ignores the fact that God is a personality who has revealed Himself in the person of Jesus the Messiah.