Good Morning Friends,
“Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, ‘You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.’ With one voice they cried out, ‘Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!’ (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’ For the third time he spoke to them: ‘Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.’ But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.” (Luke 23:13-24)
Who was responsible for the death of Jesus?
It was Pilate. He had the authority to release Jesus. He knew Jesus was innocent of the charges against Him. But Pilate didn’t have the strength of character to do what was right. He gave in to the demands of others – demands he knew were not right. Pilate was responsible for Jesus’ death.
It was the chief priests and rulers. They are the ones who found someone to betray Jesus. They are the ones who had Him arrested in secret. They are the ones who put Him on trial. They are the ones who found false witnesses to testify against Him. They are the ones who sentenced Him to death. They are the ones who brought Him to Pilate so He could be crucified. The chief priests and rulers were responsible for Jesus’ death.
It was the people. The people were with Jesus just a few days earlier. When Jesus came riding into Jerusalem on the colt, they praised Him. They lifted branches to wave in His honor. They laid their coats on the road in tribute. A few days later and they are going along with the chief priests and the rulers and asking for His death. The people were responsible for Jesus’ death.
It was Satan. He entered Judas and got him to betray Jesus. He incited the leaders of the Jews against Jesus. He influenced the crowd to cry out for Jesus’ death. He worked in Pilate’s heart to take advantage of his weakness. Satan was responsible for Jesus’ death.
It was you and me. We are the ones whose sins needed atonement. A price had to be paid to cover our sins. It was the death of Jesus by which that price was paid – and only the death of Jesus could accomplish that. You and I are responsible for Jesus’ death. You are guilty – aren’t you!
It was Jesus Himself. He willingly gave His life for us. He knew the price that had to be paid and He offered to pay it. He wasn’t forced – no power could do that to Jesus without His consent. Jesus was responsible for His own death. You are grateful – aren’t you!
His, by Grace,
Steve
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