Day 9

Challenge: Crucify Him

Once the sun rose on Friday, Jesus is lead before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. The Jewish religious leaders knew for Jesus to be put to death they would have to have Pilate sign off on it. We see that the crowds choose an innocent man who has only done good to be crucified instead of a known notorious sinner and criminal. Pilate doesn’t have the courage to release Jesus even though he found no reason for him to die. He tries to justify his actions by giving the crowd a choice. That way he could say, “I wash my hands of this man’s blood.” The truth is he had all the authority to release Christ, but instead, it will be the innocent man who is carried away to be prepared for the cross.

We like to point fingers at Pilate and ask, “How could he do that?” Yet many times we are no different. Too often, like Pilate, we don’t have the courage to say no to temptation or yes to the opportunity to make an impact. We ask others what they think, but we ask those who will give us the response we want. Unfortunately, when we operate in fear instead of faith we get sucked back into sin, or we miss out on gospel conversation. Don’t let fear get you off your path!

Matthew 27:11–23
Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

REFLECTION

Why don’t you think Pilate didn’t just let Jesus go? Do you think he really thought they would pick Jesus over Barnabas? Why or why not?

Have you ever known you needed to do something, but instead of simply doing it you push it off on someone else? How did it turn out?

The crowd yelled, “Let him be crucified.” How do you think these words affected Christ as he stood before them?

PRAYER:
Spend some time praying that your spiritual walks would be known for its faith and not fear. Pray that the Lord would give you an opportunity for your faith to shine bright in a dark world.