Tag: Mark 15:2
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.
Sunday rest and reflection: Crucified King
Dear friends and followers of Jesus Christ,
Greetings on this the Lord’s day! Jesus is risen! He is the King of all Kings and Lord of all Lords! He is the ‘First Fruits’ from the grave, having conquered death and hell! That great swallower of mankind choked on the King of Life and had to let Him go!
As I reflect back on the readings of this last week, I am again drawn to Mark’s account of the crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus had lived, taught, and performed many outstanding miracles among His own people. When He was arrested in the night by the temple police and brought before the Sanhedrin, the High Priest, Caiaphas, asked Jesus if He was the Christ. Jesus simply said, “I am”. (Mark 14:62a) Before Pilate, Jesus was asked if He was the king of the Jews and He replied, “Yes, it is as you say.” (Mark 15:2) Pilate asked the crowd, what shall I do with the “King of the Jews?” “Crucify Him!” was their reply! (Mark 15:12-13) The sign over his cross read: “The King of the Jews”. (Mark 15:25) The crowd taunted Him on the cross asking this “King of Israel” to demonstrate his power by coming down off the cross. (Mark 15:32)
I can’t seem to get this idea of the King being crucified by His own people out of my mind. How could someone who did only good and demonstrated only love to His people be rejected and treated in such a shameful way? What kind of love is this on the part of this King, that He would be willingly crucified for those who would treat Him so shamefully? How can He now show this love to me when I have also treated Him shamefully? What would I be doing now if He had come down from that cross?
But He stayed on that cross! He died a sacrificial death, demonstrating for all ages the love of the God. He rose from the dead! He now calls each of His disciples to take up their cross and follow Him! We are also victors over death and hell through Him Who died for us! Help me to understand it better, Lord! Help me to live it out!
In His Love, Pastor John