“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” John 18:37 (Matthew 27:27-56, Mark 15:1-22, Luke 23:1-31, John 18:28-19:17)
Responding to Jesus’ claim to being the Son of God, and their laws regarding blasphemy, the Jews have condemned Jesus to death. However, the Sanhedrin had no authority to execute prisoners without Rome’s approval. Roman’s believed in multiple gods, so one man claiming to be a god was not offensive to them. The Jews must come up with something more serious. They alleged sedition, promoting refusal to pay taxes and claiming to be King of the Jews.
The habitually brutal and cruel Roman procurator and governor, Pontius Pilot, primarily administered financial matters and taxes, but he was also burdened with any death penalty issues within the local government. Pilate believed Jesus was innocent and did not want to sentence Him. He went to great pains to avoid responsibility for any goings on and sent the case to Herod Antipas, beheader of John the Baptist. Herod wanted no part either. They tried to release Jesus by placating the masses with a public scourging where He was stripped and costumed as a ‘king,’ given a crown of thorns, spit upon, mocked and beaten further. This attempt failed, forcing Pilate to concede and order the death sentence.
Jesus was born to die. It was His Father’s plan. All through the pain and humiliation, He is in complete self-control. At any moment He could have stopped this end. He did not. In the presence of hard-hearted, inhuman cowards, those who thought they were defending God with hatred, Jesus loved. It was enough on that day. It is enough on this day too!
Happy Friday,
Gretchen