GUILTY

Bible reference:  Matthew 27:11-28; Mark 15:1-20; Luke 23:1-25; John 18:12-14, 24-16

The band, captain, and officers of the Jews took Jesus, bound him, and led him to Annas first.  Annas was the father-in-law to Caiaphas who was the high priest that same year.  The high priest asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. 

“Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret I have said nothing.  Why askest me?  Ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them; behold, they know what I said.”  John 18:20, 21

When he said these things, one of the officers struck Jesus with the palm of his hand.

Annas sent him to Caiaphas, then he was sent to Pilate.  The false accusations by his accusers continued….perverting the nation, forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying he himself is Christ the King.

“And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews?  And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.  Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.”  Luke 23:3,4

The crowd became more fierce, talking about Jesus being from Galilee.  Pilate at this point saw another way out and sent him to Herod, the Galilean jurisdiction.  Herod was in Jerusalem himself at this time.

When Herod saw Jesus he was glad because he had heard many things of him and Herod hoped to see a miracle with his own eyes.  It seemed that Herod was a bit starstruck at the idea.  Herod questioned Jesus but Jesus spoke not a word.   The chief priests and scribes stood by and continue accusing.  Herod with his soldiers mocked Jesus, put on him a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.  An interesting part of my study told me that in the past Pilate and Herod had been somewhat at odds for whatever reason.  Somehow this day, Pilate and Herod buried their differences and became friends. 

Pilate again told the multitude that “I find no fault in this man.”  Pilate, seeing another potential way out knew that it was customary at that feast to release a prisoner.  At that time they had a notable prisoner named Barabbas, accused of murder.  Pilate asked the people gathered, Whom will ye that I release unto you?  Barabbas, or Jesus which is called the Christ?” 

Pilate’s wife came to him and told him that she had a dream and that Pilate should have nothing to do with Jesus, this just man.  But the chief priest and elders persuaded the multitude to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 

Pilate again asked the multitude which should be released, Barabbas or Jesus?  They all said to let Jesus be crucified.  Pilate argued, “What evil has he done?”  But they cried out all the more, “Crucify him, crucify him.”

When Pilate saw he could make no difference in the decision, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying “I am innocent of the blood of this just person; see ye to it.”  The multitude answered, “His blood be on us and on our children.”

Barabbas was freed.

Jesus was scourged.  (Scourging is being beaten with knots of rope or plaited leather thongs, often armed at the ends with acorn-shaped pieces of lead or pointed bones.)

Jesus was stripped and clothed in a scarlet robe.

Jesus had a crown of thorns pushed down onto his head and a reed placed in his right hand.

Jesus was mocked.

Jesus was spit on.

Jesus was smote on the head with the reed.

Jesus was mocked all the more. Then his robe was removed, his own clothing placed back on, and he was lead away to be crucified.   All of this he bore in silence.

Guilty.  Of what?  A desire to do His Father’s will.  Guilty.  Of what?  Love for you and me. 

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”  John 15:13

When I ponder what the Lord has done for me, I find myself brought to the Old Testament prophecy, one of my favorite scriptures, in Isaiah 53:3-7 and it reads like this: 

“He is despised and rejected of men: a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not,

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him: and with his stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way: and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.”

THAT’S only part of what He did for you and me.