Jesus as Our Champion

I want to invite you to open your Bibles to Mark chapter 11. You know, there is nothing like this Word in all the world. It's why we gather together in a way that doesn't make sense to a lot of people—to open up a book and gather around to read it together. In our generation, this has almost become a lost form of fellowship and anticipation. Think about it: this is the Word of God, passed down for generations, century after century after century, thousands of years. And yet, it's still relevant in our lives today, right now. I've had three weeks off from preaching, and during this time, I've used it to pray. I've always promised that I would never become political at the pulpit—there's no place for that here. But during these past three weeks, I've watched as nations across the world have been scrambling to understand the political scene with tariffs, and I see all kinds of hurt and damage happening throughout our country and nation. We’ve seen tragedy strike every corner of the world with earthquakes and tornadoes, which is followed by all kinds of people shouting, often with harsh opinions about policies and politicians and how one should react to these situations. There is so much focus on politics right now, and I think we're in danger of missing the whole point as Christians among all of this. In the passage we're about to read from 2,000 years ago, the Jewish people were being oppressed by an unjust Roman Empire. These Jewish people were looking for political solutions. Actually, they were looking for a political Messiah who would restore the kingdom back to Israel—no more oppression, no more bondage under the current administration, but a free nation under the rule of God. I want you to keep in mind that Jesus was gaining so much attention and momentum as potentially being this political savior. Many people thought, "He's the one... he's the Messiah. He's the political savior we've been waiting for who's going to overthrow the government and rule!” So let me show you what happened. This is called the triumphal entry, found in Mark 11: "Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, 'Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' say, 'The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’" "And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. And some of those standing there said to them, 'What are you doing, untying the colt?' And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, 'Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!’" "And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.” Now, what's happening here is remarkable. Imagine this scene: two very different men are entering the city of Jerusalem. From the west came Pontius Pilate. If you were there, you'd hear him before you saw him. The stomping of war horses, the clanking of armor, the snap of imperial banners in the wind. Pilate rides in with all the pomp and circumstance of Rome—soldiers in formation, weapons gleaming. He's making a statement, especially during this unpredictable Passover season when Jerusalem is packed with pilgrims. And His message is clear: Rome is in charge. Don't even THINK about causing trouble. But from the east, something entirely different is happening. Here comes Jesus of Nazareth, riding not on a war horse but on a borrowed donkey, surrounded not by soldiers but by fishermen and can you believe it… tax collectors. The crowd is waving palm branches and shouting "Hosanna!" They're treating him like a king, but what they don't understand is that this humble king is deliberately riding toward his death. SO, get this picture… Two men entering Jerusalem. Two champions representing two completely different kingdoms. Two entirely different approaches to power. And here’s what I want us to think about today: Every day, we face a choice between these two champions. This isn't just ancient history. This is your marriage when your spouse hurts you. Do you assert your rights and prove your point? Or do you choose vulnerability and forgiveness? This is your workplace when someone takes credit for your idea. Do you scheme to get even? Or do you continue serving with integrity? This is your parenting when your teenager pushes every button you have. Do you exert control and dominance? Or do you lead with patience and grace even when it feels like weakness? Every day, in a hundred small ways, we choose which champion we're following. And over time, those choices shape who we become.

The truth is, power doesn't create character—it reveals it. Think about that for a moment. When someone gets a promotion at work, or when someone wins an election, or when someone suddenly comes into money—their true character doesn't suddenly change. What changes is that we get to see who they really were all along. You see, we can hide our true character behind many different things in this life, but there are always outside forces, and outside circumstances that reveal to the world your true internal character. Think of it like a tube of toothpaste. What happens when you squeeze a tube of toothpaste? Toothpaste comes out, right? But the pressure didn't create the toothpaste—it was already in there. The pressure just revealed what was inside all along. Power and pressure work the same way with us. When we face difficult choices, when we have the opportunity to serve ourselves or serve others, what comes out is what is already in our hearts. Or, what about being around people that don’t agree with what we agree with.. often times we become abrasive, or snippy with them. And that's what we see so clearly in this contrast between Jesus and Pilate. One man had all the political power in the region but couldn't stand firm for what was right when tested. The other appeared to have no power at all, yet, he demonstrated incredible strength of character by remaining true to his purpose even when it cost him everything. As Jesus himself said: "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”

Now, I'd like for you to look with me in John chapter 18, verses 33-38. This is the face-to-face encounter between Jesus and Pilate. Eventually, they meet. These two champions who came into Jerusalem meet face to face.. lets begin in verse 33… 33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” 34 “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” 35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” 36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” 37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” 38 “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. I want us to see this exchange between these two champions and what happens? Jesus stands firmly on truth as something real, something worth living and dying for. This wasn't just a philosophical position for Him. When He stood before Pilate, facing torture and death, He didn't compromise or look for the politically expedient answer. He declared, "For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth.” And how did Pilate respond? "What is truth?" The cynical question of a man who had reduced truth to whatever was useful in the moment. Do you see the contrast? One Champion sees truth as relative, as a tool to be manipulated for advantage. The Champion sees truth as absolute, as something worth sacrificing everything for. We face this same choice every day. Our culture constantly tells us that truth is personal, subjective, whatever works for you. "Your truth" and "my truth" as if truth changes from person to person.

But when pressure comes, that's when we see what we really believe about truth. Look with me in Matthew 27:24 (NIV): "When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, 'I am innocent of this man's blood,' he said. 'It is your responsibility!’" Can you imagine? The most powerful man in the region, with armed soldiers at his command, and he caves to public pressure. Now contrast this with Jesus in Luke 22:42 (NIV). When facing the cross in Gethsemane, Jesus prays: "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." That's real courage. That's real character. Jesus was honest about His anguish—He asked if there was another way. But when faced with the ultimate pressure, He aligned Himself with truth and with His Father's purpose, even when it cost Him everything. The difference between these two men isn't just about positions—it's about what happens to a heart when power becomes your purpose.. Paul describes Jesus' approach perfectly in Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV): "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” Paul reveals something extraordinary about Jesus and true power. The One who had ALL power - who was "in very nature God" - didn't cling to that power. He didn't exploit it. Instead, He emptied Himself. He took the nature of a servant. He chose obedience even to death on a cross. Think about it this way: Pilate's position looked powerful, but when tested, he gave in to the crowd—choosing what was easy over what was right, choosing self-preservation over justice. His power was actually weakness disguised as strength. Jesus appeared weak—letting himself be arrested, beaten, and killed—but his surrender wasn't weakness; it was strength channeled into love. His power wasn't about controlling others but about remaining true to his purpose even when it cost him everything.

You know, church, the contrast between Jesus and Pilate isn't just a story from 2,000 years ago. It's a mirror that shows us the choices we face in our own lives every single day. I believe there are three fundamental choices that defined the difference between these two men - and they're the same three choices that shape who we become. The first choice we face daily is what I'll call the Heart Choice. Do we harden our hearts to protect ourselves like Pilate, or do we remain tender and vulnerable like Jesus? Proverbs 4:23 warns us, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." But this isn't about building walls! It's about protecting your heart from hardening. Look at Pilate washing his hands in Matthew 27:24. That gesture revealed YEARS of a heart growing harder and harder. Each compromise, each political calculation, each time he chose advancement over integrity - his heart became a little more calloused. Now look at Jesus in Gethsemane. His sweat like drops of blood. Showing real anguish. Real fear. Total vulnerability. And you know what? That vulnerability didn't make Him weak! It connected Him more deeply to His Father's purpose. We think hardening our hearts protects us. But what if the walls we build become our prison? C.S. Lewis said it perfectly: "To love at all is to be vulnerable... If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give it to no one... Lock it up safe in the casket of your selfishness. But in that casket... it will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.” That's exactly what happened to Pilate! His protected heart became impenetrable - to truth, to courage, to God himself. Listen, A protected heart can never be a surrendered heart. And only a surrendered heart can truly follow Jesus.

The second choice we face is what I'll call the Truth Choice. Turn with me to John 8:32 (NIV), where Jesus says, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” This verse isn't just about intellectual knowledge. It's about alignment with reality as God sees it. And nowhere do we see the contrast between Jesus and Pilate more clearly than in their relationship with truth. Let's look at John 18:37-38 (NIV) again: "'You are a king, then!' said Pilate. Jesus answered, 'You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.' 'What is truth?' retorted Pilate.” When Pilate asked this, he wasn't searching for answers. He was DODGING RESPONSIBILITY. And we do the same thing all the time! There are countless times when speaking with people about the gospel, that I hear them say, "Well, that might be your truth, but it's not mine." That's basically them saying like pilate "What is truth?" in today's language. We've become masters at bending truth: We call gossip "prayer requests” We call greed "good stewardship” We call lust "appreciating beauty” We call compromise "being balanced”

And we wonder why our faith feels POWERLESS! Do you know gossip is probably one of the biggest killers in a church? It's true. What does gossip do to a church? It pokes holes in the fabric of grace. When we spread rumors under the guise of 'prayer requests,' we're not just hurting individuals—we're tearing apart Christ's body. Every piece of gossip is like saying, 'What is truth?' just like Pilate did. Meanwhile, Jesus doesn't just SPEAK truth—He IS truth! He tells us in John 14:6, "I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life." Every single thing He did aligned perfectly with who He claimed to be. Even when truth led to a CROSS! The Garden of Gethsemane means "the garden of pressing." It's where they would press olives until oil squeezed out. When Jesus was pressed in that garden, what came out of Him? Only a desire to do His Father's will. What comes out of you when you're pressed? When life squeezes you hard? Truth isn't just about being factually correct—it's about living a life of INTEGRITY where what you say, what you believe, and what you DO all line up! Where are you bending truth to make your life more comfortable RIGHT NOW? Listne, A lie may protect you temporarily, but only truth can transform you permanently.

The third critical choice we face is what I'll call the Trust Choice. Look with me at Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV), which says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” You know, I struggle with this one so much. I say I trust God, I sing about trusting God, but when things get hard or scary in my life - sometimes… I panic. I start making backup plans. I grab for control. I'm guessing some of you might relate to this too. And I see this same struggle in Pilate. Matthew 27:19 tells us, "While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: 'Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.’" Can you imagine? God reaches out through a dream to warn Pilate! But instead of trusting that warning, Pilate trusted what felt safe - his political instincts, the crowd's opinion, what he could see and control. And that misplaced trust led to the worst decision in human history. Now look at Jesus in Mark 14:36: "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Jesus trusted His Father completely, even when the path made NO SENSE! Even when it led through suffering! Even when it led to a CROSS! This just blows my mind: Pilate had armies, authority, political power - but under pressure, he crumbled. Jesus had NOTHING by the world's standards - but His trust produced a strength that changed eternity. I look at my own life and see how I stress about money... as if God hasn't promised to provide. How I try to control outcomes... as if I know better than God what should happen. How I panic when my plans fall apart... as if God doesn't have something better. Misplaced trust ALWAYS disappoints us eventually. Always. Just like it did for Pilate. In his moment of testing, everything he trusted in failed him. But Jesus shows us another way. What would happen in our lives if we actually trusted God like that? Not just saying it, but living it? What if we actually believed Romans 8:28 that "in ALL things God works for the good of those who love him”? The things we trust instead of God will always fail us when we need them most. Sand listne, churhc… The Champion we choose to follow, always determines the path we walk and the person that we become...

You know, in our world today, just like in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago, we're constantly looking for the wrong kind of champion. We want someone who will wield power and overthrow our enemies. We're drawn to strength, to force, to might. But Jesus shows us He is a different kind of champion. Not the champion we want, but the champion we desperately need. So this morning, We’ve seen two champions enter Jerusalem. Pilate, who looked powerful but failed when tested. And Jesus, who looked weak but changed eternity. And as we head toward Easter this week, we're faced with our own choices. The same three choices that defined these men will define us: Will we surrender our hearts, or protect them? Will we align with truth, or bend it? Will we trust God completely, or grip tightly to control? So, as I close, let me challenge us with three specific ways to follow the true Champion this Holy Week: First, surrender your heart. This week, identify ONE relationship where you've built walls. Maybe it's with a family member you've been avoiding. Maybe it's with a friend who hurt you. Maybe it's with God himself. Take ONE step of vulnerability in that relationship - a phone call, an apology, an honest conversation. Write that name down right now. Commit to that step before Easter Sunday. Bury everything that is not of Christ our champion - the pride, the fear, the resentment - and let the Spirit of God resurrect what your relationship truly needs. Just as Jesus surrendered His heart completely to the Father's will, surrender yours - and watch what God can do with a heart that's no longer protected, but given.

Second, commit to truth. Identify ONE area where you've been bending the truth. Choose to speak and live truthfully in that area this week, even if it costs you something.

Third, redirect your trust. Identify ONE thing you're trying to control instead of trusting God with. Each morning of this Holy Week, physically open your hands and pray: "God, I surrender this to you today. Not my will, but yours be done.” Hav you ever hear dot he the power of the word yet? When Jesus was in the garden facing the cross, listen to what He prayed in Mark 14:36: "Take this cup from me. YET not my will, but yours be done.” That little word "yet" is where transformation happens. Jesus didn't pretend He wanted to suffer. He was honest about His desire - "Take this cup from me." But then came that powerful word: “YET. YET not my will, but yours be done.” That single word bridges the gap between our human fear and surrender. It acknowledges our weakness while embracing God's strength. It's not denying reality - it's transforming it through trust. This Holy Week, when you open your hands each morning, try praying like Jesus: "God, I want to control this situation... YET not my will, but yours be done.” The things we trust instead of God will always fail us when we need them most. But Jesus shows us another way - a path of surrender that leads through death to the Father's presence.

And that's the path He invites us to walk today. Not an easy path. Not a comfortable path. But the ONLY path that leads to life. As we enter this Holy Week, remember this truth: The champion we follow determines the path we walk and the person we become. Let's pray.Heavenly Father,

We come before You today having seen two champions: Pilate, who washed his hands of responsibility, and Jesus, who opened His hands in surrender. Give us the courage to choose the right Champion. Help us surrender our hearts, commit to truth, and redirect our trust to You. This Holy Week, as we remember Jesus's journey to the cross, transform our choices. Teach us to say, like Your Son, "Yet not my will, but Yours be done." May the Champion we follow determine the path we walk and the person we become. In Jesus's name, Amen.

May the God who entered Jerusalem on a donkey rather than a war horse give you the courage to choose surrender over control. May the Spirit who strengthened Jesus in Gethsemane strengthen you to say "Yet not my will, but Yours be done." May the Father who raised Jesus from the dead transform your heart choices, truth choices, and trust choices. And may the champion you follow determine the path you walk and the person you become, until we see Him face to face. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. *