Key Thought

The charges that the enemies of Jesus present are all lies. Pilate sees through these lies and goes to the crucial question: is Jesus King of the Jews? Jesus acknowledges that he is. Pilate pronounces him not guilty. In fact, in the Gospel of Luke and in his companion volume, the book of Acts, Romans officials are repeatedly looking on Jesus and his disciples with favor. Unfortunately, however, political expediency often wins out over truth -- as it does here with Pilate. Finding nothing wrong with Jesus, even recognizing him as an important teacher or a righteous leader is not enough. Do we believe he is the Son of God, our Savior and Lord? Are we willing to base our lives on his death, burial, and resurrection by confessing him and sharing with him in his saving work through baptism? Do we believe that he can transform us totally by pouring his Holy Spirit into our hearts and working his will in our lives? Jesus must be far more than a good guy and a great teacher. He must be our Lord! If he is not, then we will simply put him into the most convenient place in our lives rather than letting him totally transform us.

Today's Prayer

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Holy and righteous Father, please do your work in my life. I believe that Jesus, your Son, is the Messiah, my Savior and my Lord. I fully trust that he lived on earth as a human like me and that he gave up his life on the cross, that he was buried, and that you raised him from the dead. Please conform me to his character through the Holy Spirit who is at work in me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

Then the whole group stood up and led Jesus to Pilate. They began to accuse Jesus. They told Pilate, "We caught this man trying to change the thinking of our people. He says we should not pay taxes to Caesar. He calls himself the Christ, a king." Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Yes, that is right." Pilate said to the leading priests and the people, "I find nothing wrong with this man." They said again and again, "But Jesus is making trouble with the people! He teaches all around Judea. He began in Galilee, and now he is here!" Pilate heard this and asked if Jesus was from Galilee. Pilate learned that Jesus was under Herod's authority. Herod was in Jerusalem at that time, so Pilate sent Jesus to him. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very happy. Herod had heard all about Jesus. So he had wanted to meet Jesus for a long time. Herod wanted to see a miracle. So he hoped that Jesus would do a miracle. Herod asked Jesus many questions, but Jesus said nothing. The leading priests and teachers of the law were standing there. They were shouting things against Jesus. Then Herod and his soldiers laughed at Jesus. They made fun of Jesus by dressing him in clothes like kings wear. Then Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate. In the past, Pilate and Herod had always been enemies. But on that day Herod and Pilate became friends.

— Luke 23:1-12 (ERV)

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