The morning after Jesus’ captivity the chief priests and elders continued to plot against Jesus in order to put Him to death (27:1). So, they tied Jesus up and took Him to the home of Pontius Pilate (Roman governor) because technically only Rome was permitted to pronounce the death sentence. As Jesus stood before Pilate it became obvious to him that Jesus was an innocent man and the chief priests/elders were envious of His ministry (27:18). As was customary during this time of Passover, the governor would release a prisoner to gain favor with the Jews. Pilate brought a man named Barabbas before the people. Barabbas was a notorious prisoner because he was a robber and murderer and in the back of Pilate’s mind he wanted the people to allow Jesus to be released instead of this hardened criminal, Barabbas. However, the religious leaders stirred up the crowd against Jesus and convinced Pilate to release Barabbas rather than Jesus (27:15-22). Even Pilate’s wife attempted to come to the rescue of Jesus by informing her husband of haunting dreams she had about Jesus (27:19). Pilate asked the people what he should do to Jesus and they answered “let Him be crucified.” Pilate immediately responded by asking what Jesus had done wrong, but the people cried out more to crucify Him (27:23). The governor knew that the situation was going to get worse if he did not give into their demands so he washed his hands declaring his innocence in the pronouncement of death of Jesus (27:24). The people did not care because they replied “His blood be on us and our children.” I guess what amazes me most about this incident is the fact that Jesus remained silent…He never defended Himself, but rather was focused on the mission which His Father had sent Him to fulfill – death to pay the penalty for man’s sin. Why? “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son….” Jesus was willing to go to the cross because of me and the sin that separated me from a relationship with God the Father. If He willingly died for me, the least I can do is live for Him!
Dear God, thank You for being willing to go to the cross for me!
