12 As a result of this Pilate made efforts to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, "If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out [to be] a king opposes Caesar." 13 When Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. 14 Now it was the day of preparation for the Passover; it was about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, "Behold, your King!" 15 They therefore cried out, "Away with [Him], away with [Him], crucify Him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar." 16 So he then delivered Him to them to be crucified.
Message: Pilate Sentences Jesus to Death
Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."
What the Lord is Saying: It remains interesting in this act of Jesus going to the cross as to how it was all orchestrated. It was not simply God making a statement from heaven for him to go to the cross, as a perfect man, without sin, and bear the punishment for sin. I know that idea and message is coming in a study future I would think I would have - the atonement - for it is the crux it seems for the Christian faith.
But overall these verses in chapter 18 and 19 which tell of Jesus and what led to Him being crucified show that He was viewed as a criminal and therefore subject to consequences and in this case, that consequence was to be crucified.
The Jewish officials knew that they had to present to Pilate an accusation of Jesus that Pilate would find worthy of crucifixion. Pilate struggled to see the application but the Jewish officials remained persistent and today in verse 12 is the accusation that as King, even though the claim was only of the Jews, as King, Jesus then opposed Caesar. In other words, it is clear, nothing was going to prevent Jesus from being found guilty. The Jewish people were going to try at all costs to get him crucified. The desire for his demise was too great. And yet, it had to be in order to save us sinners eventually from eternal separation from God.
Then in verse 15, Pilate asks, "Shall I crucify your King?" and the Jewish people answer that Caesar is their king. And so what takes place is the mocking moniker on Jesus that He is King of the Jews. Jesus had to die. I suppose what is interesting is we don't need to be mad at anyone. God used the events of the world to send His Son to the cross to then die for our sins.
Other Verses
Genesis 50:20 - As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. - Interesting verse that is quoted often. People are responsible for their actions but God still uses the good and bad actions of people alike to still accomplish his purposes.
Genesis 50:20 - As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. - Interesting verse that is quoted often. People are responsible for their actions but God still uses the good and bad actions of people alike to still accomplish his purposes.
Mark 15:6-15 - In these verses we have a similar retelling of Jesus crucifixion and Pilate presenting Jesus to the Jewish officials but with the words, "what evil has He done?” Pilate makes the case but not to the degree that he will enforce it. He still gives into the demands of the Jewish contingent.
Summary: Jesus is presented as King of the Jews in order to show He is somewhat equal to Caesar as King and incite in Pilate to crucify Him which the Jews continue to want.
Promise: The crucifixion of Jesus is the supreme example that God is working in all things for the good of His people.
Prayer: O God, You are sovereign which means that you orchestrate the events of life for Your God, allowing the choices of man to bring about your good. You are in control and by this prayer I acknowledge that You are in control and yet I plea, I beg, I request that You work and that Your will be done. Thank you for giving us the answer that You want this of us and we are involved with You in Your works. Continue to teach me about prayer. Thank you for the salvation gift of Jesus that I don't deserve. You are in control.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
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