Monday, March 25, 2013

The Trial before Pilate

Luke 23:13-25

The Message
13-16 Then Pilate called in the high priests, rulers, and the others and said, “You brought this man to me as a disturber of the peace. I examined him in front of all of you and found there was nothing to your charge. And neither did Herod, for he has sent him back here with a clean bill of health. It’s clear that he’s done nothing wrong, let alone anything deserving death. I’m going to warn him to watch his step and let him go.”
18-20 At that, the crowd went wild: “Kill him! Give us Barabbas!” (Barabbas had been thrown in prison for starting a riot in the city and for murder.) Pilate still wanted to let Jesus go, and so spoke out again.
21 But they kept shouting back, “Crucify! Crucify him!”
22 He tried a third time. “But for what crime? I’ve found nothing in him deserving death. I’m going to warn him to watch his step and let him go.”
23-25 But they kept at it, a shouting mob, demanding that he be crucified. And finally they shouted him down. Pilate caved in and gave them what they wanted. He released the man thrown in prison for rioting and murder, and gave them Jesus to do whatever they wanted.

For Reflection
Why did the high priests want Jesus killed? Of what were they so afraid that they needed to kill Christ? Of what are we so afraid that we deny our indebtedness to God for the gift of his son?
 
Pray
in gratitude for the gift of Jesus Christ. Pray that you will have the courage to follow in the way of Christ in obedience ato God's call to His kingdom. Pray for those who reject the wisdom of Christ's vision of a counter culture. Pray for those who do not know the peace brought by obedience to the Holy Spirit.

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