Luke 23:1-25
April Memory Verse: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8 NIV
Read: Luke 23:1-25
I wonder how many times Pilate replayed this over in his mind? He condemned an innocent man. And… not just any innocent man – the Son of God.
He tried to squirm out of it – but the Jews weren’t having it. They wanted Jesus killed. Pilate tried to push it off on Herod – that didn’t work. He tried to use Barabbas to get Him release – but they wouldn’t agree to it.
So… Pilate – the Governor caved… He gave into the demands of the Jewish leaders.
How often have you and I done the same thing? The pressure of others was too great. Too great to… stand up for Jesus? Bow in a prayer of thanks before a meal? Share the Gospel with a friend or family member? And we take the easy route – and simply give into the pressure of others.
How often are we like the Jewish leaders – and we don’t want Jesus to rule over us. We want to run our own lives – make our own choices – do what feels good to us? We say no to Him – Away with Him! through our sinful actions.
I wonder how many of the people there that day thought about that day? I wonder what the repercussions were as they shouted – Let His blood be on us and on our children!
Who really killed Jesus that day? The Jews who demanded His death? Herod who laughed at Him? Pilate who was too afraid to do the right thing? The soldiers? Who really killed Jesus? It was my sins and your sins that put Him on that cross.
Spend some time today and think about that day. Make a commitment to stand for Him in every way this week. Live in a way that your actions don’t deny Him. Thank Him for standing there that day and paying the price for your sins.
By: Tim Parsons
Read: Luke 23:1-25
I wonder how many times Pilate replayed this over in his mind? He condemned an innocent man. And… not just any innocent man – the Son of God.
He tried to squirm out of it – but the Jews weren’t having it. They wanted Jesus killed. Pilate tried to push it off on Herod – that didn’t work. He tried to use Barabbas to get Him release – but they wouldn’t agree to it.
So… Pilate – the Governor caved… He gave into the demands of the Jewish leaders.
How often have you and I done the same thing? The pressure of others was too great. Too great to… stand up for Jesus? Bow in a prayer of thanks before a meal? Share the Gospel with a friend or family member? And we take the easy route – and simply give into the pressure of others.
How often are we like the Jewish leaders – and we don’t want Jesus to rule over us. We want to run our own lives – make our own choices – do what feels good to us? We say no to Him – Away with Him! through our sinful actions.
I wonder how many of the people there that day thought about that day? I wonder what the repercussions were as they shouted – Let His blood be on us and on our children!
Who really killed Jesus that day? The Jews who demanded His death? Herod who laughed at Him? Pilate who was too afraid to do the right thing? The soldiers? Who really killed Jesus? It was my sins and your sins that put Him on that cross.
Spend some time today and think about that day. Make a commitment to stand for Him in every way this week. Live in a way that your actions don’t deny Him. Thank Him for standing there that day and paying the price for your sins.
By: Tim Parsons
16 Comments
How many times did Peter deny Christ? Three. How many times did Pilate testify to " no" guilt found in Jesus or no guilt found demanding or deserving death? Three. Interesting.
Thanks for being a faithful reader Ron
As a leader, Pilate had an incredibly difficult choice to make: punish an innocent man (morally wrong) or cause a riot in the city (because the people didn’t get what they wanted). I don’t envy having to make that call!
I pray for all leaders today with tough choices to make. Ask God for direction and follow principles He has laid out in His Word. Things always go better when you do them God’s way.
Life’s all about decisions... Pilate had a tough one but he made the wrong one
It is interesting that Pilate and Herod became friends over this situation when they had been enemies. It seems as though neither wanted to be the bad guy, so they both decided to cave to the will of the people. Jesus stays strong in all of this, even though he knew the consequences, and he knew the outcome. Praying that I can stay strong in the face of adversity, because I know the outcome already. Jesus won the victory on the cross and when he resurrected, so we have victory even when things get tough for us in our walk with Him.
Strength in adversity.... So good, and so hard
Yep! Thanks Naomi!
Praying for you today Scottie
That’s a very powerful and convicting statement, Tim: “Live in a way that your actions don’t deny Him. ”
Thank you
It sure is. I'll be tucking that away to reflect on regularly. Thanks Tim for always challenging us to be true disciples of Christ.
You’re always so encouraging! Thank you!
Thanks Christy! So grateful for you!
Thank you for your strong and straightforward words Tim! Like you said "How often have you and I done the same thing?" I continually shift the blame of why I am not glorifying God in my daily life, when in reality it is my lack of faith that Jesus died for me. I must ask God for a new heart that earnestly seeks Him and thirsts for His name to be known by those around me.
Thanks Nick! Praying for you!
It’s hard to say with pilate. I think he knew something was up but he could find no reason to do anything for or against it. He new that if a riot happened on his watch it was his neck on the chopping block. Rome like to parade themselves as big on justice and law but when push came to shove even there own hypocrisy served the purpose of Gods will.
Yep! Thanks for being a jumpstart reader Andrew!