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JOHN 19:5, 14

"BEHOLD THE MAN! BEHOLD YOUR KING!"

I. "BEHOLD THE MAN!"
        A. This presentation of Jesus followed the scourging.
                1. Romans were noted for torturing their prisoners, scourging one of the
                   cruelest forms of torture.
                2. I believe that Jesus stood there erect in all of His divine dignity.
                        a. I believe as Pilate uttered "Ecce Homo" true awe and admiration.
                                1. He had seen many scourged--cursing, screaming.
                        b. Jesus was every inch a man.
        B. I would like you to Behold the Man this morning.
                1. John tells us, "In the beginning was the word. . and the Word became flesh
                   and dwelled . . ."
                2. Here we see God's ideal man.
                        a. He is what God intended man to be.
                                1. As you look around at man today you cannot discover it.
                                2. We see man in such a fallen state that God's existence is
                                   often challenged.
                                        a. We see man fighting wars.
                                        b. We see man building super weapons.
                        b. Behold the Man as He cries.
                                1. You say, "Men don't cry."
                                        a. I feel sorry for the man who cannot cry.
                                        b. He may not cry over personal physical pain.
                                2. When did Jesus cry?
                                        a. Tomb of Lazarus.
                                        b. Overlooking Jerusalem.
                                3. Why did Jesus cry?
                                        a. Bliddness of men that caused him to grieve when he
                                           should be rejoicing.
                                        b. Over the calamities that man brings upon himself by
                                           rebelling against God.
        C. As you behold the Man Jesus you are actually beholding God.
                1. "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father."
                2. "No man hath seen the Father at anytime, but the only begotten Son..."
                        a. As you see Jesus weeping over the failures of man, you are
                           beholding the broken heart of the Father.
                        b. As you see Jesus healing the sick, making the lame to walk and the
                           blind to see, you see the desire of the Father to restore man to 
                           his divine ideal. 
                        c. "As you see Jesus suffering the scourging as He stands there with
                           the purple robe and crowned with thorns, you see the suffering of
                           God for man's sin and His willingness to accept the responsibility
                           and the curse in order to redeem and restore."

II. "BEHOLD YOUR KING!"
        A. Every man must bow his knee to some septer.
                1. Your life today is submitted to some ideal, or philosophy.
                2. Look at your life carefully and you will discover your king.
        B. The chief priests answered "We have no king but Caesar."
                1. Caesar stood for raw brute, power and many today still bow their knee to
                   his septer.
        C. As you behold the man, may you behold your King.