Tag: crucify Him
What is truth?
Scripture reading for April 30: John 18
“Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But My kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to Him, “So you are a king? Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world–to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is Truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in Him.”” John 18: 36-38
Determining what is true in this world helps us define our world view. Pilate, the Roman governor in Jerusalem, was a person of power in the political machine of Rome. The Jews had brought Jesus to him accusing Jesus of sedition. They claimed that Jesus falsely claimed to be a ‘king’ and preached a new ‘kingdom’ that would supersede all kingdoms. So Pilate asked Jesus, “So You are a king?” Jesus stated that Pilate had stated that, but His purpose was to bear witness to the truth. At this, Pilate asked Jesus a searching question: “What is truth?” Pilate, and many others over the ages, have wrestled with the truth about Jesus Christ. Is He the King? Is He over a kingdom? What is this kingdom that is not of this world?
Pilate wrestled with Jesus’ statement that His kingdom was not of this world. He knew that Jesus’ disciples had fled and had not put up a fight. In fact, Jesus had commanded the guards to let them go. (John 18:8) Pilates’s wife had earlier warned him to have nothing to do with Jesus because of a dream. (Matthew 22:19) In light of these ‘truths’, Pilate declared to the Jews that he found no guilt in Jesus. He sought to release Him, but the Jews demanded Barabbas, a robber.
Have you ever wrestled with what is the truth about Jesus? Have you looked closely at Jesus’ life and claims to be the Christ and King? How have others opinions and demands either helped you to find truth or keep you in the “crucify Him” crowd?
Prayer: Father God, I have wrestled with the claims of Jesus earlier in my life. There were many voices and opinions that claimed to have truth that Jesus was just a man. Thank You for revealing the Truth from hearing the testimony of Jesus preached by other believers. Use me today to share Truth! Amen.
“Away with this Man!”
Scripture reading for April 3: Luke 23
“Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this Man as One Who was misleading the people. And after examining Him before you, behold, I did not find this Man guilty of any of your charges against Him. Neither did Herod, for he sent Him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by Him. I will therefore punish and release Him.” But they all cried out together, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”–a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify Him!” Luke 23:13-21
Pilate, the Roman governor, and Herod the Tetrarch had found common ground in examining Jesus. They looked at the charges but found nothing deserving death. Pilate wanted to release Jesus and made that decision. But he was also a politician who feared the people and had no moral character of his own. As he announced his verdict, the people, spurred on by their religious leaders, demanded Jesus be crucified in spite of the facts. “Away with Him!” they cried! Pilate pleaded with them three times before he caved to crowd pressure. He released to them an insurrectionist and murderer instead of the innocent Jesus, King of the Jews. It appeared that justice was not done and Satan won.
But it was God’s plan and will that came together that day. The final Passover Lamb was examined and found to be spotless, ready for sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, Jew and Gentile. Both parties had a part as all have sinned. Jesus willingly laid down His life for the sins of His accusers and betrayers and those unable to see God’s plan. Jesus was falsely accused, mocked, spit on, whipped, and finally nailed to a cross. He prayed for those who did this to Him as He bore their sins, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34 He pardoned the repentant thief who hung there with Him. He committed His Spirit to His Father and breathed His last. (Luke 23:43-46) The guards declared: “This man was innocent!”
As you listen to this story of Jesus’ trial and death, what part is most meaningful to you personally? What judgment have you made about Jesus and how does your life reflect that choice? If you haven’t asked Jesus for mercy, can you follow the thief’s example of asking for mercy now?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the greatest story of redemption ever told! I am so thankful for Your mercy and plan of salvation for Jew and Gentile. Use me to share this amazing and powerful message of Your great love with this lost world. Amen.
Crucify the King?
Scripture reading for February 28: Mark 15
“And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered Him up. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” And they cried out again, “Crucify Him.”“ Mark 15:8-13
After the early-morning arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus had faced a trial with the leaders of the Jews where false witnesses accused Him. He remained silent at their accusations. When asked if He was the Christ, the Son of God, Jesus answered, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14:52) This brought His death sentence as they deemed Him a blasphemer of God. But they could not put Him to death as that was in Rome’s jurisdiction. They sent Jesus to Pilate where he questioned Him as to His status as King of the Jews. Jesus simply answered Pilate, “You have said so.” (Mark 15:2) He remained silent after that.
Pilate could find no fault in Him but perceived the malice and envy of the religious leaders in accusing Jesus. His own wife had warned him about Jesus. So Pilate responded to the crowd, seeking a way to release Jesus. He asked them if they wanted him to release their King. But the religious leaders stirred up the crowd to ask for the release of a murderer, Barabbas. They shouted out their demand that Jesus be crucified! People who had worshiped Jesus as Messiah and King a few days before now demanded His execution in place of a murderer! How easily the opinion of people can influence our world view and ability to see the truth!
Have you ever fallen for crowd pressure to do something you know is wrong? Describe the battle you see in Herod as he knows the motive of the religious leaders and his own wife’s warning about Jesus and the crowd’s demands. Why was Jesus silent and did not defend Himself?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for revealing to me Jesus Christ as Savior and Messiah, Your Son. I want to be ready to see my King coming on the clouds of heaven. Keep me from the deception of peer pressure and emotional thinking. May my world view reflect Jesus and my confession be ‘Jesus is Lord.’ Amen.
“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.””
The King with a crown of thorns!
Scripture reading for March 11th: Mark 15:1-47, Psalms 54:1-7, Proverbs 11:5-6
“They bound Jesus, led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate. “Are you king of the Jews?’ Asked Pilate. “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.” (Mark 15:1b-2) Jesus openly admitted that He was indeed king of the Jews. In fact, had He been asked, He would have told Pilate that He was the King of Kings. (Revelation 19:16) Pilate did not know enough to ask about that! Pilate was confused by all the charges leveled against Jesus. He asked Jesus to respond to these charges, but Jesus answered not a word! (Mark 15:3-5)
Pilate tried to get the crowd to release Jesus, but the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask for Barabbas instead. Pilate then asked the crowd what should be done with their king. “”Crucify Him!” they shouted!” (Mark 15:13-15) Because Pilate desired to please the crowd, he turned Jesus, King of the Jews, over to be crucified.
The soldiers took Jesus and dressed Him in a purple robe and twisted a crown of thorns and set it on His head. “And they began to call out to Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Again and again they struck Him on the head with a staff and spit on Him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to Him. And when they had mocked Him, they took off the purple robe and put His own clothes on Him. Then they led Him out to crucify Him.” (Mark 15:18-20) The crown of thorns was mean to mock Jesus and cause Him greater suffering. They beat it into His brow, causing blood to flow as they taunted Him and bowed down in mock homage.
This crown really represented the curse of sin that Jesus willingly bore for us for our healing and deliverance. Jesus was made a curse for us and took the curse of God’s wrath on broken law. All who will bow before Him, repent of their sins, and ask for mercy will be forgiven and given eternal life! This King is really the King of Kings and has the power to give pardon because of the price He paid! Jesus bought justice by taking our place! Should you not bow before Him now in humble adoration, giving yourself to Him as a living sacrifice? It’s the only reasonable response!
Let His blood be on us and our children!
Scripture reading for February 12th: Matthew 27:15-34, Psalm 32, Proverbs 9:1-6
Jesus was tried before Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. Pilate was a politician that tried to please the people. The day of Jesus’ trial, Pilate’s wife sent him a 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.” (Matthew 27:19) Pilate gave the crowd an opportunity to have one of those to be crucified released. He secretly hoped it would be Jesus but the crowd, whipped up by the chief priests, asked for Barabbas instead. When he tried to reason with the crowd, they shouted that Jesus should be crucified. Instead of standing for justice, Pilate washed his hands symbolically, stating that he was innocent of Jesus’ blood.
“All the people answered, “Let His blood be on us and on our children!” (Matthew 27:25) This statement was given by the crowd as they were worked up by the chief priests. It is ironic that the blood that Jesus shed was the very thing that they needed to cleanse them from their sins. It is the only thing in the entire universe that can atone for or cover the stain of guilt that comes from sin. They invited the judgment of God against them for shedding innocent blood when the very innocent Son of God, Jesus Christ was going to give His blood as the price for their murderous deeds!
Jesus had wanted to gather all these people under His covering as a hen would gather her chicks, but they were unwilling. (Matthew 23:37-37) Their house would be left desolate. These who rejected Jesus would also bring judgment on their children. Parents have an influence on children and their decisions often affect their offspring.
As I think about “Let His blood be on us and our children”, I want the blood of Christ to cover all my sins and my children’s too. I know that as a parent I must pray for my children and live in such a way that they see Christ in my life. I also have personally taught all my children about their need for repentance and faith in Christ’s blood as the only remedy for sin. My prayer is for all my children and grandchildren to be covered by the blood of Jesus Christ! Have you asked for Christ’s blood for your family?