Mark 15:2-5
Matthew 27:11-14
Luke 23:1-12
John 18:28-40
Mark 15:6-15
Matthew 27:15-26
Luke 23:13-25
John 19:1-16
Mark 15:16-20
Matthew 27:27-31
We watched the unjust trial of Jesus unfold and end with His
sentencing to death by crucifixion. The trial had to be unjust because
Jesus was not guilty of any crime. The Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, declared, “I
find nothing wrong with this man.” Pilate’s wife, who had a terrible nightmare
about Jesus, told her husband, “Leave that innocent man alone.” King Herod came
to the same conclusion, that Jesus had done nothing worthy of death. Finally,
after Pilate had Jesus flogged, He announced to the crowd, “I am going to bring
Him out to you now, but understand clearly that I find Him not guilty” (Luke 23:4; Matthew
27:19; John 19:4).
Since Jesus was innocent, the trial was a sham. The Jewish leaders
were desperate to get rid of their enemy. They had already procured false
witnesses; now they manipulated the crowds and pressed their political leaders
into wrongful action. The most hypocritical move was to condemn Jesus for
claiming to be their King, which was blasphemy in their eyes; while they swore
allegiance to God alone, they verbally ex- claimed, “We have no King but
Caesar!” Their shallow allegiance was feigned for political expediency.
Despite all of the injustice that was committed, Jesus did nothing and
said very little. Just a few days earlier, He was quieting those scoundrels who
were trying to trick Him with controversial questions. He could have said
something during His trial that would have confounded everyone and earned His
release, but He didn’t. Before the Roman Governor, “He said nothing, much to Pilate’s
surprise” (Mark 15:5). Though Herod demanded a miracle, Jesus did nothing. He asked Jesus
question after question, but He refused to answer (Luke 23:9). It was
prophesied that the Messiah would be quiet before His accusers (Isaiah 42:1, 2; 53:7).
Why would Jesus do that? Why did He not fight for His innocence, for
His life, for justice, or for a fair trial? He could have freed Himself from
this mess. Earlier, when Jesus was arrested in the Garden, He told Peter,
“Don’t you realize that I could ask the Father for thousands of angels to
protect us, and He would send them immediately? But if I did, how would the
Scriptures be fulfilled...?” (Matt. 26:53, 54). He told Pilate, “I am not an
earthly king. If I were, My followers would have fought when I was arrested...
My kingdom is not of this world... You would have no power over Me unless it
were given to You from above” (John 18:36; 19:11). The fact that Jesus did nothing and
said nothing was proof that His life was not taken but given. He was born to die
and these things had to happen to fulfill prophecy.
Daily Reflection
In the middle of Jesus’ trial was a side story that captured the
meaning of the entire ordeal. A criminal named Barabbas, who was guilty of
murder, was released to the crowd. Jesus, an innocent man, was betrayed
and murdered to free sinners from death — the penalty of their actions. How much more clear
of a picture of the Gospel can we get than that?
Pilate made one other comment that is interesting. He sent for a bowl
of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of the
blood of this man...” (Matthew 27:24). Though Pilate may have not been the political reason Jesus was crucified
that day, his sins were the personal reason Jesus was crucified. No man
is innocent. All have sinned and are guilty before God. It was our sin, your sin,
that condemned and crucified Jesus.
Like Pilate, you may proclaim your innocence, but, in truth, you are
Barabbas;
and Jesus
willingly gave His life so that you would go free.
BiAY.org |Day 307 — 58 Days to Go
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