Key Thought

If you can't beat him, mock him. That might have been the slogan of the religious leaders who hated Jesus. A long night of mockery and torture is well underway. The people Jesus came to save are repeatedly, one group after another, rejecting him and sending him to his death on a cross. This is not some token sort of pain. Beatings, long sharp thorns, and being hit with fists are only part of the journey of pain Jesus will face. The saddest part about this to me isn't Jesus' pain -- although that is horrific enough; it's that Jesus is the rightful King and they reject him unmercifully. I wonder how many times has God presented me with a blessing, an opportunity, which I've not only missed, but also criticized and ridiculed? Jesus' mistreatment by those who were the most religious should humble those of us who consider ourselves to be spiritually committed today.

Today's Prayer

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Father, open my eyes and my heart so that I never reject your opportunities and blessings. I don't want my heart hard to your gracious work in the world and neither do I want to be harsh with those whom I disagree or don't understand. Give me wisdom to pursue your will and to turn from pettiness and evil. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

Then Pilate ordered that Jesus be taken away and be whipped. The soldiers used some thorny branches to make a crown. They put this crown of thorns on Jesus' head. Then the soldiers put a purple robe around Jesus. The soldiers came to Jesus many times and said, "Hello, O king of the Jews!" They hit Jesus in the face. Again Pilate came out and said to the Jewish leaders, "Look! I am bringing Jesus out to you. I want you to know that I find nothing I can charge against him." Then Jesus came out. He was wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to the Jews, "Here is the man!" When the leading priests and the Jewish guards saw Jesus they yelled, "Kill him on a cross! Kill him on a cross!" But Pilate answered, "You take him and nail him to a cross yourselves. I find nothing I can charge against him." The Jewish leaders answered, "We have a law that says he must die, because he said that he is the Son of God." When Pilate heard this, he was more afraid. Pilate went back inside the palace. He asked Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus did not answer him. Pilate said, "You refuse to speak to me? Remember, I have the power to make you free. I also have the power to kill you on a cross." Jesus answered, "The only power you have over me is the power given to you by God. So the man who gave me to you is guilty of a greater sin." After this, Pilate tried to let Jesus go free. But the Jewish leaders yelled, "Any person who makes himself a king is against Caesar. So if you let this man (Jesus) go free, that means you are not Caesar's friend." Pilate heard what these Jews said. So he brought Jesus out to the place called "The Stone Pavement." (In the Jewish language the name is "Gabbatha.") Pilate sat down on the judge's seat there. It was now almost noon on Preparation day of Passover week. Pilate said to the Jews, "Here is your king!" They yelled, "Take him away! Take him away! Kill him on a cross!" Pilate asked them, "Do you want me to kill your king on across?" The leading priests answered, "The only king we have is Caesar !"

— John 19:1-15 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.