March 25, 2024
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in our Lenten readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Day 36 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Week Jesus Dies
Read Sections 5.52 through 5.53 (pages 177-179)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told through in chronological order from the four Gospels to create one continuous story.
*If you do not have a copy of the book please contact the church at (401)667-0775 and we can get you a copy.
I have completed up to 5.53. The words of Jesus before he was taken by the Romans as well as Pastor’s sermon today made me realize the enormity of the words Jesus spoke to his apostles. Easter to me is more important because it shows the deep love of God for his believers.
”Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?” Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”“
John 19:10-11 NKJV
5.52 Jesus Handed Over to Be Crucified (John 19:1-15, Matt 27:24-25, Luke 23:24-25) The response of Jesus to Pilate concerning authority is so confident…it is so clear that Jesus had set his face towards what His Father had determined from before the foundations of time must be done.
5.53 Pilate’s Soldiers Make Fun of Jesus (Matt 27:27-31) The soldiers demonstrate the cruelty of their debased minds…the very minds that God had given them up to. And Jesus goes for God’s glory and to our benefit, like a lamb to the slaughter…in the very same way that Passover lambs were being slaughtered that very day.
The Life of Jesus 5.52-5.53
Pilate who is Governor and must decide what to do with Jesus. He finds no fault in Him. In the course of events Pilate discovers why the Jewish leaders have brought Jesus to be killed. They made up a bunch of lies about Jesus and Pilate realizes that these are false accusations. But they also say that Jesus claims to be the Son of God. He, upon finding this out, is afraid and doesn`t want any part of it. He has also been warned by his wife not to have anything to do with it because of her dream. He tries to release Jesus but is too afraid of what Rome might do to him. He is more afraid of his own being and security than doing the right thing which would be to release Jesus. But feeling his hands are tied he washes his hands and says that he is not guilty of Jesus death. He then releases a rioter, murderer, and thief by the name of Barabbas, who deserves to be killed. Can you imagine what went through Barabbas thoughts? He was preparing to be crucified without any hope. Then he is freed with no consequences at least for himself. But he must have wondered who this person was that literately took his place on the cross. He might have known about Jesus and His teachings. He would be eternally grateful to be still alive. It is not hard to imagine that he came to Christ. We don`t know for sure. As far as Pilate and his wife we also don`t know if they later turned to Christ after the Resurrection or any time later. But God was given them opportunities through the wife`s dream, etc. What a merciful, and loving God that we have. May the Lord bless.
Day 35 5:52-5:53
The picture that will become iconic of Jesus standing before the crowd beaten and bloodied with a crown of thorns on his head and a robe on His body created by all the vitriol that was in these soldiers: anger over their circumstances, anger toward the Jews or anger that is in every heart if not managed. They didn’t even consider or maybe could not have imagined it was the Son of God who stood before them. Little did they know the power that He had if He chose to use it. Yet, in emptying Himself, He subjected Himself to this beating. It was not a necessary part of our salvation, but part of what He was willing to subject Himself to under Roman punishment. How He reveals His love and patience toward mankind in this. And I always have an affinity for Pilate, as cruel and mean as he was, because he does what he can to do right by Jesus, but worldly forces and the conviction of the people prevail. What a right thing for him to do to wash his hands of it (another iconic thing that comes out of these events). How can we not be willing to sacrifice of ourselves to God’s will in light of the sacrifice Jesus makes here….especially because He didn’t have to.
Pilate worked so hard to turn this crowd around and get them to see that Jesus was innocent but this was a crowd that came in with one purpose and that was to kill Him.
“The only power you have over me is the power given to you by God.”
As cruel and awful as every step of this was, as hard to read each and every time, this was the plan and this had to happen. I suppose if you can convince yourself that this is just some story maybe you won’t be moved to a point of repentance and absolute overwhelming gratitude for what He did for you that day but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord!
Pilate said, “I want you to know I find nothing that I can charge him with.” Then why in the world did he allow the people to sentence him to death? Because it was God’s will that his Son die for our sin so we can be with him forever in heaven. And Jesus was determined to do his Father’s will because of his love for us. Thank you Jesus