Good Morning Friends,
“With loud shouts the people insistently
demanded that Jesus 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 23:23-24)
Who was responsible for the death of Jesus?
Pilate had the authority to release Jesus. He
knew Jesus was innocent of the charges. But Pilate didn’t have the strength of
character to do what was right. He gave in to the demands of others. Pilate was
responsible.
The chief priests and rulers are the ones who
found someone to betray Jesus. They had Him arrested in secret and put Him on
trial. They found false witnesses to testify against Him. They sentenced Him to
death. They brought Him to Pilate so He could be crucified. The chief priests
and rulers were responsible.
The people praised Jesus just a few days
earlier when He came riding into Jerusalem on the colt. They lifted branches to
wave in His honor. A few days later they went along with the chief priests and
the rulers and asked for His death. The people were responsible.
Satan 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.
We are the ones whose sins needed atonement. A
price had to be paid to cover our sins. The death of Jesus paid that price. You
and I are responsible.
Jesus willingly gave His life for us. He knew
the price that had to be paid and offered to pay it. He wasn’t forced – no
power could do that to Jesus. Jesus was responsible for His own death. Aren’t
you grateful!
His, by Grace, Steve
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