Key Thought

If the murder of Jesus weren't so tragic, the scene would be humorous in a dark sort of way. Pilate, the Roman Governor, and the Jews, hated each other. Yet they dance this strange dance of hated political bedfellows. Pilate doesn't want to give them anything they want, but must keep the peace. The Jews don't want Jesus to slip out of their hands so they must act like they respect Pilate.
As he will all the way through this tragic movement of grace, Jesus remains silent and in control. He is the only one who does not react out of fear or jealousy. Jesus' path is determined by God's will and his love for us.
Jesus is silent, but in control. He is Lord in his submission to the will of God and in the face of the hateful actions of his enemies! He will not be goaded into saving or protecting himself, but dies for us -- for you and me.

Today's Prayer

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O Lord God Almighty, I marvel again in your restraint and grace. How you could let this happen is beyond my comprehension. At the same time, I thank you. I thank you that Jesus shows me that I can be self-controlled when I fully submit to your will. I thank you that Jesus shows me there are bigger things than ridicule and death. I thank you that the story doesn't end with Pilate, an angry mob, and a crucifixion. I thank you for Jesus being raised and now sitting as my triumphant Lord until the time he returns to take me home! To you be all praise, both now and forevermore. In Jesus' name I offer this thanks and praise. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

Jesus stood before Pilate the governor. Pilate asked him questions. He said, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Yes, I am." When the leading priests and the older Jewish leaders accused Jesus, he said nothing. So Pilate said to Jesus, "You hear these people accusing you of all these things. Why don't you answer?" But Jesus said nothing to answer Pilate. Pilate was very surprised at this. Every year at the Passover time the governor would free one person from the prison. This was always a person that the people wanted to be made free. At that time there was a man in prison who was known to be very bad. His name was Barabbas. All the people gathered at Pilate's house. Pilate asked the people, "I will free one man for you. Which man do you want me to free: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Christ ?" Pilate knew that the people gave Jesus to him because the people were jealous. Pilate said these things while he was sitting in the place for judging. While he was sitting there, his wife sent a message to him. The message said, "Don't do anything with that man (Jesus). He is not guilty. And today I had a dream about him, and it troubled me very much." But the leading priests and older Jewish leaders told the people to ask for Barabbas to be made free and for Jesus to be killed. Pilate said, "I have Barabbas and Jesus. Which do you want me to make free for you?" The people answered, "Barabbas!" Pilate asked, "So what should I do with Jesus, the one called the Christ ?" All the people answered, "Kill him on a cross!" Pilate asked, "Why do you want me to kill him? What wrong has he done?" But all the people shouted louder, "Kill him on a cross!" Pilate saw that he could do nothing to make the people change. And he saw that the people were becoming upset. So Pilate took some water and washed his hands so that all the people could see. Then Pilate said, "I am not guilty of this man's death. You are the ones that are doing it!" All the people answered, "We willbe responsible for his death. We accept for ourselves and for our children any punishment for his death." Then Pilate freed Barabbas. Pilate told some soldiers to beat Jesus with whips. Then Pilate gave Jesus to the soldiers to be killed on a cross.

— Matthew 27:11-26 (ERV)

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