Dear Christian friends:

A man running from a building at night is caught by a policeman who demands, "What have you done?" A boy calls his father and says that he is at the police station; father asks "What have you done?" When you ask someone that question you let him know that you think he is guilty. So, also when Pontius Pilate asked Jesus "What have you done?" He thought Jesus was guilty. Pilate insults Jesus with that question.

We are angry at him because he, a sinner himself, asks Jesus such an insulting question. We know that Jesus had done nothing wrong; that He always did good and right and helped many people. But that is a good question for us to ask as we again this Lenten Season consider Jesus' suffering and death and what that should mean to us. We do not intend to insult Jesus by asking Him that question tonight.

With that question and our answer answer to it we intend to honor Jesus our wonderful Savior and Lord. So let us ask that question of Jesus and then try to answer it:

Jesus answers Pilate here in our text: "I came into the world to tell men the truth. And when Jesus told men the truth about themselves, about their rules and goals and society He showed to them their wrongs and wickedness and sins.

Jews had rules about marriage and adultery, their own rules. They said if anyone is caught in the act he must be stoned to death. But Jesus said, "Whoever looks at a women to lust after her hath committed adultery with her in his heart."

The Jews said if you kill someone with a club or sword you are guilty of murder. But Jesus said, "Whoever hates his brother in his heart is a murder."

The Jews said, "Love your friends and hate your enemies." But Jesus said, "Love your enemies!" So also Jesus tells the truth to men today and exposes our sin, our full hearts and minds.

The Jews and men today also have the wrong idea about about the goal of life. Men say the goal of life is to get more and more money and things: riches, power, pleasure and honor. Jesus told men the truth: The goal of life is to serve God and our neighbor. He said, "What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his soul?"

The goals men have in life never impressed Jesus. He never owned a house. When He died, they put his body in another man's tomb. He said of Himself: "Foxes have holes and the birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head."

The true goal of life is to please God and help people. He said, "Seek, first, the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you."

What is your goal in life? Are you living for God and your neighbor or are you only interested in earning more and more money so you can buy houses and cars and boats and have a good time? Why do you work? Why do you work overtime? Think about these questions and see if you have the wrong idea about life.

In these and many ways Jesus told men the truth. Many became angry at him because He showed them their wrongs and sins. They hated Him because they loved darkness more than light. So they falsely accuse Him and bring Him to Pilate. Sometimes you and I get angry and upset when God's Word shows us our sins. Don't; be sorry and confess.

"Jesus, What have You done?" He said He did nothing wrong. He said He came into the world to tell the truth. Even Pilate later told the Jews, "I have examined this man and find no fault in him."

And yet Jesus is guilty. He has done something. He is guilty of our sin and not only ours, but also the sins of the whole world! The Bible says: "God has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us." "Christ died for our sins."

As our Substitute under the Law Jesus is very, very guilty. That is why He humbly stands before Pontius Pilate and suffers his insults and the mockery of the crowd. Jesus knows that He is guilty because He stands where we should really stand before the court of God. He must suffer and He must pay for man's sins.

Really God should ask each one of us: "What have you done?" Like He did to Adam when Adam hid from him and like He did to Cain when he killed his brother. Yes, each one of us this Lenten Season should ask ourselves: "What have I done?" "What have I failed to do?"

Then we should look to Jesus with faith and joy and praise and sing with the poet:

I lay my sins on Jesus,
the spotless Lamb of God;
He bears them all, and frees us
from the accursed load:
I bring my guilt to Jesus,
to wash my crimson stains
White in his blood most precious,
till not a spot remains."
Hymn-I Lay My Sins On Jesus

Jesus, "What have you done?" He answers: "All that the Father sent Me to do." Yes, Jesus has done all that God's Law demanded and He has paid the price for our salvation. Jesus has done great and wonderful things.

May His Spirit come into our hearts and lead us to serve Him and praise him at home in our families, at school, at work and where we play. May we show and tell His great deeds to others this Lent.

Amen