More Than Medicine
More Than Medicine
Who Really Killed Jesus?
Who really killed Jesus? When Mel Gibson famously answered "I killed Jesus," he sparked controversy, but pointed to a profound truth that transcends simple blame. The crucifixion wasn't merely a historical injustice but the centerpiece of God's redemptive plan.
Examining the biblical narrative reveals multiple players in this divine drama. The Jewish religious leaders conspired out of jealousy and fear of losing their position. Judas betrayed his teacher for thirty pieces of silver. Pilate, despite recognizing Jesus' innocence, ordered his execution for political expediency while Roman soldiers carried out the gruesome task. Yet none of these actors fully explains the mystery of Christ's death.
The most remarkable revelation is that Jesus voluntarily laid down his life. "No one takes it from me," he declared, "but I lay it down of my own accord." His death wasn't a tragedy or martyrdom but the fulfillment of his mission to "seek and save the lost." Our sin necessitated this sacrifice, but it was ultimately orchestrated by God the Father himself, who "so loved the world that he gave his only Son." The crucifixion, planned "before the creation of the world," demonstrates both God's justice and his extraordinary love.
This understanding transforms everything. The Romans, Jewish leaders, and Judas were merely instruments in God's sovereign plan. What appeared as history's greatest injustice became the means of our reconciliation with God. The pressing question isn't who killed Jesus, but how we'll respond to his sacrifice. Will we ignore it, or will it lead us to receive Christ as our Savior and Lord? As you contemplate the cross this Resurrection season, consider what your response will be to this ultimate demonstration of divine love.
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Welcome to More Than Medicine, where Jesus is more than enough for the ills that plague our culture and our country. Hosted by author and physician, dr Robert Jackson, and his wife Carlotta and daughter Hannah Miller. So listen up, because the doctor is in.
Dr. Robert Jackson:Welcome to More Than Medicine. I'm your host, dr Robert Jackson, bringing to you biblical insights and stories from the country doctors' rusty, dusty scrapbook. Well, happy Resurrection Day. I want to bring to you a message entitled who Killed Jesus. To you a message entitled who Killed Jesus.
Dr. Robert Jackson:If you remember, some years ago, when Mel Gibson produced his very excellent production entitled the Passion of the Christ, the media came to him and they asked him that very question and they said who killed Jesus? And his response rocked them back on their heels. When he responded I killed Jesus, I was responsible for the death of the Christ. Well, it sparked a great deal of controversy and a very passionate response from many, many people. So I thought we would answer that question and talk about it a little bit today. So, who killed Jesus? I would submit to you that there's no single earthly group or individual to blame for killing Jesus. There were many players who shared responsibility and were directly or indirectly involved, but no one can point a finger at any person or group of people and lay it at their feet. Lay at their feet the ultimate blame or culpability for Jesus' death. So let's look at some of the players.
Dr. Robert Jackson:First of all, let's start with the Jewish religious leaders. First of all, let's start with the Jewish religious leaders. If you look at John, chapter 11, verses 45 to 53, you'll see what's often called the Passover plot John, chapter 11, verses 45 to 53. This is immediately after Lazarus was raised from the dead, and this is what it says. Therefore, many of the Jews who came to Mary and saw what Jesus had done believed in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done, namely that he had raised Lazarus from the dead. Therefore, the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council and were saying what are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, all men will believe in him and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation. Now you see, these religious leaders were concerned more about their position and their place than they were with the truth of who Jesus was. But one of them, caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them you know nothing at all. Nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people and that the whole nation not perish. Now, he did not say this on his own initiative, but, being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but in order that he might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day on, they plan to gather together to kill him. So there you go.
Dr. Robert Jackson:There's the Passover plot, and the Jewish leaders conspired together to put Jesus to death. And the Passover plot was set in motion, a conspiracy of hypocritical religious hierarchy who were jealous of the attention received by an itinerant preacher, and they were threatened by his popularity. Now, I want you to remember that after the day of Pentecost, when the disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost, that Peter preached in public, perhaps even in the temple courts, and he said this he said Men of Israel. This is in Acts, chapter 2, he said men of Israel, this is in Acts, chapter 2. He said men of Israel, you, with the help of wicked men, put him talking about Jesus, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. So we have to take into account the possibility that it was the Jewish religious leaders who were responsible for the death of Jesus.
Dr. Robert Jackson:Well, now move quickly. And let's talk about Judas. In Luke, chapter 22, verses 1 through 6, and again in verse 47 to 48, we see the whole account of Judas, this guy who would steal money from the money box. This guy who was disillusioned with Jesus, who obviously was not going to set up an earthly kingdom but who kept speaking about a spiritual kingdom. And this Judas who was envious of the position that Jesus had and he went to the religious leaders and he conspired with them for 30 pieces of silver to betray his former friend. He became a co-conspirator in the Passover plot and he became directly responsible for betraying Jesus into the hands of his enemies, who ultimately crucified Jesus. Nevertheless, if you recall, jesus refused the offer of his disciples to defend him with their swords when he was betrayed into the hands of the soldiers by Judas, his former friend. So we have to consider was Judas the one responsible for killing Jesus?
Dr. Robert Jackson:Now let's consider the Romans Pilate, the Roman governor, in John, chapter 19, we see a very interesting dialogue that took place between Pilate and Jesus Romans 19 and verses 10 through 16. So Pilate said to him you do not speak to me, do you not know that I have authority to release you and I have authority to crucify you. Jesus answered you would have no authority over me unless it had been given you from above. For this reason, he who delivered me to you has the greater sin. As a result of this, pilate made efforts to release him, but the Jews cried out, saying If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar. Therefore, when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called the pavement, but in Hebrew, gabbatha.
Dr. Robert Jackson:Now it was the day of preparation for the Passover, it was about the sixth hour and he said to the Jews behold your king. So they cried out away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate said to them Shall I crucify your king? The chief priest answered we have no king but Caesar. Now, that's so interesting because you understand from the story of Mordecai and Haman in the book of Esther the Jews bowed their knee to no Gentile. They bowed their knee to no Gentile. They bowed their knee to no foreign king. And yet here were these Jewish religious leaders saying to Pilate we Barabbas and crucify Jesus.
Dr. Robert Jackson:Now, pilate was obviously confused and conflicted. He was caught in a strait, not between two ways, but between three ways Between the Jews, between the Roman hierarchy and between his wife, who said to him have nothing to do with that innocent man, because I have suffered much in a dream because of him, and he was trying to please the Jews. He was trying to maintain peace and stability in a part of the world that resented Roman rule even unto death and who would bend the knee to no earthly ruler. And yet here they are saying we have no king but Caesar. And so, ultimately, pilate ordered the scourging of Jesus and then, finally, his crucifixion. So were the Romans, through Pilate, responsible for the death of Jesus? Well then, there's another possibility Was Jesus suicidal?
Dr. Robert Jackson:In John, chapter 12, 32 and 33, jesus spoke of his death. In fact, he spoke of his death often in advance, and he told his disciples that he was going up to Jerusalem to be abused and persecuted by the Jews, and then he would be killed and that he would be lifted up, killed, and that he would be lifted up indicating by what manner of death he would die. You know, those that are preoccupied with death and dying are the very ones who often take steps to take their lives. Physicians know that People who have a morbid death wish are the very ones who commit suicide. Perhaps Jesus intentionally provoked the Jews, especially by the things that he said that just pushed them over the edge.
Dr. Robert Jackson:In John, chapter 12, the scriptures indicate that Jesus understood his mission and his reason for entering onto the stage of human history. In Luke 19 10, jesus said that he would had come to seek and to save that which was lost, and it cost him his life. As he gave his life as a ransom for many. Jesus was not suicidal. People who are suicidal have a loss of hope, but Jesus had no loss of hope. The Bible says that we should look unto the author and finisher of our faith who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross and despised its shame. Jesus had no loss of hope. His future was full of hope. It was not bleak. It was filled with hope and an eager anticipation of being at the right hand of his Father. Yes, he was filled with sorrow in the garden at the prospect of his suffering, but he didn't grieve as those who had no hope. Jesus went to his death with an intentional step, purposeful and planned, but it was filled with an eager anticipation of the reward. Jesus was not a suicidal man.
Dr. Robert Jackson:But let me ask you another question. Perhaps it was you and me who were responsible for the death of Jesus. Remember Mel Gibson's words? He said I killed Jesus, I was responsible for Jesus' death. Now let me ask you a question. Can any single man kill God? Would you be so arrogant as to presume that you could kill the Lord of the universe, the maker of the heavens and the earth? What could you conceivably do to snuff out the life of he who was the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last? You, nor I, could directly cause the death of God or God's Son. It is not within our power, individually or collectively, as a human race, to kill he who spoke the heavens and the earth into existence. Nor did that lethal power reside in the Jewish hierarchy or the Roman governor, or the bloodthirsty crowd that screamed Crucify Him. Nevertheless, let it be understood clearly that the highly offensive nature of your and my sin, juxtaposed with the eternal, never dying, yes, passionate love of God for you and me is the sufficient twin motivation that propelled Jesus to the cross.
Dr. Robert Jackson:In 1 Peter, chapter 3 and verse 18, the Bible tells us that Christ died for sins, the just, for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit. You know, I could not make God die, but it was for sin and for sinners that Jesus voluntarily went to the cross, that he might bring us to God. He submitted to the suffering yes, the passion of the cross, for one reason to bring us back to God. If we were not sinners and God were not just, there would be no demand for his son to suffer and die and if God were not loving, there would be no willingness for his son to suffer and die. But the fact of the matter is is that you and I are sinners and God is just and he is loving, and that's why God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him would not perish but have everlasting life. Now I'm getting to my conclusion and I want you to understand that Jesus voluntarily gave his life. Now I'm getting to my conclusion and I want you to understand that Jesus voluntarily gave his life.
Dr. Robert Jackson:In John, chapter 10, the Bible tells us very plainly that Jesus gave his life. Jesus says that a good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep, a hireling will run away. But Jesus says a good shepherd gives his life for his sheep. And in John 10, verse 17 and 18, jesus says this. He says for this reason the father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it again. He says this commandment I have received from my father. His life was not taken from him, it was not stolen from him. He was not a victim of circumstances. His life well, I would say it this way he did not die prematurely in the flower of his youth. His life was not snatched away from him sadly, in his prime.
Dr. Robert Jackson:Jesus was born to die as a sacrifice for many and he knew this, in fact, all of his life. The shadow of a cross fell across his path. He willingly, carefully, knowingly, at the proper time and in complete control of all the circumstances of his life, control of all the circumstances of his life, laid down his life on the altar of a Roman cross and he entered the most holy place once for all, by his own blood, having obtained for us eternal redemption. And when Jesus looked up to his father and said Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. That word commit his spirit means to entrust to another. Jesus didn't die as a result of the physical abuse that he had endured and his life did not ebb out of him. Jesus only died when he voluntarily released his life, released his spirit, and when he said Tetelestai, it is finished. He acknowledged that he had accomplished the redemption of man for which he was sent into the world.
Dr. Robert Jackson:And then, the last point I want you to understand clearly the last player in this divine drama is God the Father. The scripture names God, the Father as the one ultimately responsible for the death of the Son, as the one ultimately responsible for the death of the Son, ultimately responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus the Son. This whole drama was conceived and executed in the heart of God. It was planned and carried out before time and history began. The divine perpetrator was none other than the father of the son. And oh how this hurts my heart to know that my sin was the occasion for the father putting his son to such grief. The lamb was slain before the foundation of the world.
Dr. Robert Jackson:Revelations 13.8 tells us that very plainly. Hundreds of years before the Passover, before the passion of Messiah, isaiah foretold this event. In Isaiah 53, he tells us that this Passover Lamb was smitten by God. The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all, and yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him In Titus. Chapter 1 and verse 2, the Bible informs us that this salvation plan was in the mind of God before time began. Please let us all know and understand that it was foreordained in the plan of the Father before time began. It was the plan of the Father to send the Son to Calvary and that Satan would wound Him, wounding His heel, but that the Son would crush His head, and that was ordained from the Garden of Eden.
Dr. Robert Jackson:The controversy about who killed Jesus is marginal. He chose to die. His father ordained and orchestrated it. Jesus embraced it. The father planned it and did so by the hands of wicked men, and great good has come to the world. They meant it for evil, but God meant it for good. The Romans, the Jewish leaders, judas were all mere pawns moved on the chessboard of time and history by the hand of the great eternal chess master. They were all just bit actors in a great drama conceived, written, produced and directed not by Mel Gibson, but by the sovereign of the universe who governs the affairs of men and nations.
Dr. Robert Jackson:Verse.
Dr. Robert Jackson:Who governs the affairs of men and nations?
Dr. Robert Jackson:Who orchestrated the events of every player in the last 12 hours of Christ's passion to ultimately accomplish God's eternal purpose, which was to provide for us a lamb suitable to bear our sins and appease the just wrath of Holy God? And I promise you that the angels are holding their breath even now to see how you and I will respond to this amazing redemption plan of God, the reconciliation of God and man. What will your response be? Will you ignore it and pretend it never happened? Will it drive you to a deeper devotion and more serious contemplation of the passion of the Christ? Or will this be the day that you receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your only Savior and the true King of your life? To as many as receive him, then, god gives the right to become the children of God, even to as many as believe on his name. You're listening to More Than Medicine. I'm your host, dr Robert Jackson. If you like what you hear, I pray that you will follow, like or share or download it, and happy Resurrection Day.
:Thank you for listening to this edition of More Than Medicine. For more information about the Jackson Family Ministry, dr Jackson's book, or to schedule a speaking engagement, go to their Facebook page, instagram or their webpage at jacksonfamilyministrycom. This podcast is produced by Bob Slone Audio Production at bobslone. com.
