If You Make The Wrong Choice
it can come at a very high cost…
'Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.”
So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.
Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.”
On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.
When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort. He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this they had been enemies.
Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.”
But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)
Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”
But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.' Luke 23:1-16,18-25
isn’t it odd that the people in charge (pilate and herod), who was to judge Jesus to free Him or not, found nothing wrong when speaking to Him. then you have the people who had no say in the matter, though they complained the loudest, ask that they punish our Lord.
just to appease the vociferous crowd who did not agree with their findings, pilate still decided to punish Jesus, and harshly so. on top of that, the people asked that a murderer, insurrectionist, be traded for Christ our King.
what amazes me, although it shouldn’t, is that we often choose something bad for you rather than what’s good; complain of something because you don’t understand or like it; love the darkness instead of the light because of not wanting to be exposed. that is what sin does in someone’s life.
it is too bad that the very men who were the so-called leaders in their jurisdiction didn’t recognize the only one (Jesus) who actually had all the power and authority, given by God, and that if He really wanted to could have wiped out them and the loud mouths. if you really look at it, the sad part is that pilate and herod, who had met with and spoken to Jesus could’ve been the ones who were really “set free” that day.
i don’t feel blaming misunderstanding for not knowing their decision fits in this passage. these people shouted, screamed, made accusations, etc. because Jesus revealed their true nature, that their hearts were hard, and they were full of sin. with unrepentant hearts, it is hard to change anyone. when those type of people come together it’s even worse because they collectively think what they are doing is fine, is “right.”
while He did not change the course of events so He could save himself, we have to come to accept Him as Lord and Savior, the forgiveness that comes from the very sacrifice He made thousands of years ago to set us/me free. i do recognize that only Jesus can save and did so for me, for you.
Father God, i know a time will come when our Lord Jesus will come back for us. that all will be judged on that day, like He was with pilate and herod, and a reckoning will happen. please help me to share with those that i love who your Son is - that with His death, His resurrection, they too can experience complete transformation and life everlasting with you. Jesus, in your Mighty and Glorious Name i pray, amen!