NOT JUST A MAN
Kingdom Kids yield personal will to Yahweh in this Lenten series
Luke 23:1-46
Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor. Herod Antipas was the Roman-appointed ruler of Galilee. Jesus was a Galilean teacher and miracle-worker.
Luke 23:11-16, 20-21: “Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him. Dressing Him [Jesus] in an elegant robe, they sent Him back to Pilate.
“That day Herod and Pilate became good friends—before this they had been enemies.
“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 then release Him.”
…
“Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, ‘Crucify Him! Crucify Him!’”
Only the Roman governor could condemn someone to death. Pontius Pilate was warned by his wife, “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of Him,” (Matthew 27:19). She was highly educated and wealthy. Pontius welcomed her insight.
Jerusalem was wild during Passover. Something triggered the Sanhedrin’s fury.
Pilate asked Jesus, “Are You the king of the Jews?”
“Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.
Pilate figured that Jesus’ trouble with the Sanhedrin was blasphemy [BLAS-fem-ee]. No person = God! Ahhh, Pilate reasoned that Sanhedrin were jealous of Jesus!
Jesus comes from Galilee! Pilate happily realized. I’ll send Him to Herod to decide what to do!
Herod was delighted, hoping to witness a miracle. But Jesus hardly spoke to Herod. Enraged, Herod returned Jesus to Pilate. Jesus was the common prisoner that made Pilate and Herod friends.
Take Home Nugget
Pilate ignored his wife’s advice AND that Jesus was not just a man.
Pilate didn’t understand that Jewish guilt that was transferred to a Scapegoat. This once-in-eternity Passover, the Father piled all of human sin onto His Son. This Passover would end the ritual of animal sacrifices to atone for people’s sin. This Passover found Jesus bearing Israel’s sin as well as sin that I committed and you, too!
See the lesson linked below.
This unique Passover fulfilled Isaiah’s prophesy, too. “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds [stripes of blood] we are healed.”
Thank You, Jesus, that You endured all human illnesses and diseases so that we can be whole! By Your precious name, Amen.
HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY
Adapted from “Look Again, Pilate!” a devotion by Rev. Erik J. Rottmann. March 30, 2018. Portals of Prayer devotional magazine. Missouri.
J.D. Griffith
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