“Crucify the King!”
Scripture reading for November 17th: John 19
Key Scriptures: John 19:1-6 “Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged Him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head and arrayed Him in a purple robe. They came up to Him saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck Him with their hands. Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing Him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in Him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” When the chief priests and the officers saw Him, they cried out, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!””
Pilate had questioned Jesus earlier before flogging Him. He had asked Him if He was King of the Jews. Jesus told him that it was for this purpose He had come, to bear witness to the truth. He was a king but His kingdom was not of this world. Pilate wondered at these statements, but had Him flogged and turned them over to the soldiers who had witnessed the discussion and then mockingly arrayed Jesus in a purple robe, signifying royalty and twisted a crown from thorns, placing it on Jesus’ head. They struck Him repeatedly, and spit on Him as they mocked. This was after a cruel beating that disfigured Jesus almost to the point of death. Pilate then presented Jesus to the crowd, saying, “Behold the man!” Although Pilate found no guilt, the Jewish religious leaders responded with a cry to crucify Jesus. Facts did not matter because they wanted Jesus dead! Sounds like some trials going on today!
John 19:6-8 “Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for I find no guilt in Him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law He ought to die because He has made Himself the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, as I read this account of the trial of Jesus, I am humbled and convicted by those who would mock Jesus and condemn Him to death, even though innocent. Forgive me for my own ignorance of Jesus Christ and the times I have not acted in faith but fear of man. Give me grace today to declare the truth of Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords with holy boldness.
John 19:12, 14-25 “From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this Man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” . . . Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” They cried out, “Away with Him, away with HIm, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” They answered, “We have no king but Caesar.””
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