Tag: Mark 14:52
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.