Not a Word
The leading priests accused Jesus of many things. So Pilate
asked Jesus another question. Pilate said, "You can see that
these people are accusing you of many things. Why don't you
answer?" But Jesus still did not answer. Pilate was very
surprised at this.
Every year at the Passover time the governor would free one
person from the prison. He would free any person the people
wanted him to free. At that time, there was a man named
Barabbas in prison. He was in prison with the rebels. These
rebels were guilty of murder during a riot. The people came
to Pilate and asked him to free a prisoner like he always
did.
-- Mark 15:3-8 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
Once again, as Old Testament Scripture had promised, Jesus does not try
to defend himself. He is silent. Pilate is surprised at such silence.
Why would Jesus not defend himself? Because the issue at stake was not
his innocence, but our guilt. He goes as the sinless one to be
convicted and sentenced to death for our sins.
Jesus' ministry was all about release -- release from the power of
death, release from the power of disease, release from the power of the
devil, release ... We shouldn't find it surprising that as Jesus' death
sentence approaches, the issue of release is front and center on
people's minds. The Cross is about release -- our release at the cost
of Jesus' freedom, Jesus' comfort, and Jesus' life.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Dear Father, as we approach the time of giving thanks and for
remembering your Son's birth, it is hard to be reminded of the outcome
of that birth. I am ashamed that we killed your Son when he came. I am
horrified that he was treated so barbarically. I am angered that
justice was so perverted. I am enraged that political preservation was
more important to those in charge than the life of your Son. However,
dear Father, I am eternally grateful that you would love me, and love
all of us, so much that you had your Son endure what he endured. And,
Lord Jesus, not only do I pray this in your name, but I thank you with
all my heart for what you did for me. Amen.
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
"jobs-in...@googlegroups.com" group.
To post to this group, send email to sudhi0707@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
sudhi0707+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/sudhi0707?hl=en
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
