The chief priests accused him of many things.
4So again Pilate asked him, "Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of."
5But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.
- P94
6Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested.
7A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising.
8The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.
- P94
12"What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" Pilate asked them.
13"Crucify him!" they shouted.
14"Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"
15Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
- P95
Jesus is silent before His accusers, and His silence speaks louder than words.
The accusation that He is the king of the Jews is offensive to the Jewishleaders who do not realize that He really is the Messiah king that the Jewshave been waiting for. It is politically scandalous to the Roman leaderswho only recognize the Roman emperor. - P96
Pilate is amazed by Jesus‘ silencebecause the natural response to accusation is to defend yourself. Jesus is notguilty of any crime, but He remains silent because He knows that He is onHis way to the cross. - P96
His wrongful conviction is part of God‘s plan to takethe place of sinners who are truly guilty. - P96
May Jesus‘ silence resonate loudlyin our hearts, reminding us of His loving sacrifice.- P97
The people are given a choice: free Barabbas who was in prison for murder, or free Jesus who is accused of being the king of the Jews. Even the Roman governor Pilate knows that the chief priests have handed Jesus over out of their selfish interests. - P96
However, they are successful in convincing the crowds to release Barabbas. The people choose to kill Jesus, but Jesus also chooses to die for them. The one who was rightfully accused is mercifully released, and the one who was wrongfully accused surrenders Himself to death on the cross. - P96
People today also have a choice: to believe and follow Jesus Christ or to reject Him. May we choose wisely and encourage others to do the same.- P96
Heavenly Father, there are times when I do not obey You as I should. I speak when I should be silent, and I am silent when I should speak. As Jesus followed Your will in perfect obedience, help me to follow You. In His name I pray, amen.- P97
A friend told me that he was given special tickets to a concert. With thesetickets, he was able to go backstage to meet the performers and get to knowthem more personally. Everyone else without these special tickets watchedthe performance from their seats in the crowd; many were so far away thatthey could hardly see the stage. Only my friend had special access to meetthe performers up close.
The special tickets remind me of what Jesus has done for us. - P101
When Jesus‘
death tore the temple curtain, He gave us a "backstage pass," special VIPaccess to God the Father. This access previously only available to the highpriest is now opened for all who place their trust in Jesus. We can all receiveforgiveness for our sins, and Jesus‘ sacrificial death on the cross means Godis no longer unapproachable due to the gap between His perfect holinessand our sinfulness. Whoever knows the Son gains access to the Father.
This is truly good news! - P101
As the Bible says, "Now in Christ Jesus you whoonce were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ" (Eph.2:13).
We are no longer watching from a distance; Jesus becomes our "back-stage pass," allowing direct access to God‘s presence. - P101
May we never cease tobe amazed at the privilege we have in approaching God the Father throughHis Son and experiencing His presence through the Holy Spirit.- P101
Jesus is crucified at nine in the morning. Two rebels are crucified with Him.
The passersby and the religious leaders mock Him. At noon, darkness coversthe land until three in the afternoon. Jesus cries out to God then breathes Hislast. The curtain of the temple is torn in two.- P99
