Encountering JesusSample

DISCOVER

It is Friday morning of the Passion Week and the theme is “who is guilty and who is not?” Jesus was brought to Pilate by the Jewish leaders to be condemned to death. There is just one problem – Pilate does not see any “guilt” in him. There IS guilt in a murdering insurrectionist named Barabbas. There IS guilt in two thieves. These three are condemned to death.

LEARN

There were four men on death row that morning – Barabbas, the two criminals, and Jesus. Pilate is not interested in the two thieves, but he does attempt to swap the sentences of Barabbas and Jesus. The former was a known murderer who instigated rebellion against Roman authority. Pilate attempts some wise diplomacy to soothe the angry crowd. He knows Barabbas is very guilty, he judges Jesus as innocent. He offers the choice and is shocked by the crowd choosing the death of an innocent man over justice for a man who may have killed people they knew. This scene shows the depth of humanity’s wicked heart, but also the necessity of the Sinless Man dying for the sins of the guilty.

APPLY

As you read this story, if you had been in Pilate’s place would you have seen the situation any different? Which “convict” do you feel most connection with? You may have never committed the crimes these men did, but you ARE guilty. Give thanks to God for his compassion on you!