Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the death sentence of the Lord Jesus in place of a murderer. “All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”We read this in Mat 27:25. Then Jesus appeared before the governor. The governor asked him, saying: Are you the king of the Jews? Jesus answered him, You say it. But he made no answer to the accusations of the chief priests and elders. Then Pilate said unto him, Hear you not how many things they accuse you of? For man’s wickedness was to be manifested to its fullest in the death of Christ Jesus, where the love of God also was revealed.
Great is Pilate’s perplexity in the face of the accused brought to him by the leaders of the Jews. He never had before him a man like that. For there is a double testimony in his favor: that of his wife and that of his conscience, which gives him the conviction that he is dealing with a just man. Moreover, he knows the evil of those who betrayed him out of jealousy. So what to do? Of course, if he condemns it, he is doing an injustice. But if he releases him, his popularity will certainly suffer. So by symbolically washing his hands, but not his conscience, he throws the responsibility on the people who accept him with their eyes closed: “May his blood be on us and on our children.” And behind this crowd pushed by the lowest instincts, and behind its leaders who excite it, the devil continues his work of hatred, while God also pursues his, all of grace and salvation.
Now Jesus is in the hands of rude soldiers. They put on him a mock royal garment in order to make fun of him before leading him to death. But one day, to all eyes, the Lord will appear in all his majesty as King of kings. And his mighty hand, that hand which then held a reed, will rise up in judgment against his enemies (Ps 21: 1-14).
And in the midst of this scene, where all men have the opportunity to manifest what they are with regard to God, as the law itself could not, the Lord Jesus the divine man, the perfect man, stands there alone in the midst of sinners. Then a voluntary victim, he accepts and assumes all that men inflict on him on the way which leads him to the cross where he goes to glorify God.
At the end of the day, we see how everyone takes their place before this touchstone, this rejected Savior. The common people, the soldiers, do it derisively, with the brutality which was accustomed to them as pagans and as executioners; the Gentiles will do it with joy and adoration, when the One they mocked is truly the King of the Jews in glory. Jesus endures everything. It was the hour of his perfect submission to all the power of evil: for patience had to have its perfect work, so that his obedience was complete. He therefore endures everything without relief rather than failing in obedience to his Father. So let us note what a difference between his conduct and that of the first Adam who was surrounded by so many blessings!
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and put together for your understanding.
- Christ before Pilate
The kingship of Christ put to the test by his enemies: Mark 10.2 Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”; Luke 10:25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”.
Christ provokes astonishment: Mt 22.22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away; Mark 2.12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” Mark 10.24The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
Popularity sought after by men: Jn 12:43 for they loved human praise more than praise from God; Acts 12: 2-3He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread;
- Pilate’s dilemma
Mark 15.6 Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested; Luke 23:16 Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.”
Examples of wickedness: Ps 140.4 Keep me safe, LORD, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent, who devise ways to trip my feet; Mt 27:23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” Jn 12.10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well,
Wise women, wisdom and righteousness: Pr 12.4 A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones; Pr 14.1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down; Pr 31.30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Christ without sin: Jn 8.46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 2 Cor 5.21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God; Heb 7:26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens; 1 P 2.22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
Evil influences come from the wicked: 1 Kings 11.4 As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been; Mark 15.11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead;
- Choice between Christ and Barabbas
Wrong choice: Pr 1.29 since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD; Mt 27:21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered.
Christ rejected: # by the Gadarenes: Mt 8.34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region; # by the people of Nazareth: Mark 6.3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him; Luke 4.28-29 All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff; # By religious and political leaders: Luke 23:18 But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” # by the Jewish nation: Jn 1.11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him; Jn 12:48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.
Christ crucified: Mt 27.35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots; Mark 15.24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get;
Tumult: Mt 27:24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”; 1 Cor 14.33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people; James 3:16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
From all of the above, we note how each took their place before this stumbling block, this rejected Savior. In fact, the Roman governor who neither knew nor feared this God from whom he held his power, used his authority only to whip and crucify the one he knew to be innocent, instead of maintaining justice before the people who would have had to submit to him. These Gentiles will see him again with joy and adoration, when the One they laughed at will truly be the King of the Jews in glory. Despite the rejection and humiliation suffered, the Lord Jesus endured everything, for it was the hour of his perfect submission to all the power of evil, so that his obedience might be complete before the Lord God Almighty. This is why he accepted and sustained courageously rather than disobeying his Father. Our prayers support you all in your efforts to endure rejection and humiliation and to obey like our Savior to the end.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all worship, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be glad to respond to your queries and comments if necessary, before sharing with you next week the resurrection of Jesus Christ: “He is not here; he rose to life as he said …”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you profusely.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.