DAY #137: Luke 23:13-31

Pilate thought he had gotten rid of his problem, only to have Jesus sent back. The decision still rested on his shoulders. So he attempted to let this innocent man go by telling Jesus’ accusers that he found him innocent. Pilate could back up his decision with Herod’s conclusion about Jesus. Herod had mocked Jesus, but apparently had sent back word to Pilate that he could find nothing worthy of the death penalty. Jesus was tried a total of six times, by both Jewish and Roman authorities, but he was never convicted of a crime. Even when condemned to execution, he had been convicted of no felony.

Pilate may have hoped that the flogging would appease the crowd, and they would pity the man and let him go. Pilate was planning to release Jesus, but first he would punish him—to pacify the Jews and teach the prisoner a lesson to stay out of trouble in the future. But, the suggestion that Pilate was going to release Jesus sent the religious leaders into a frenzy. Pilate had wanted to release Jesus as the Passover gift. Matthew recorded that even Pilate’s wife had experienced a dream about Jesus and had urged Pilate to let Jesus go. Pilate had the authority to let Jesus go and then get on with his day; instead, he argued with them, but to no avail. They wanted Jesus to be crucified.

As the crowd shouted louder and louder for Jesus to be crucified (incited by the religious leaders), Pilate sentenced Jesus to die. No doubt Pilate did not want to risk losing his position, which may already have been shaky, by allowing a riot to occur in his province. Pilate released Barabbas and delivered Jesus over to them to do as they wished. Matthew’s Gospel explains that Pilate took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd to symbolize his innocence in condemning Jesus, but this act was no more than self-deception. Jesus may have been surrendered to the will of the mob, but this was still a purely Roman execution. Pilate had to command it in order for it to happen.

Severely beaten and worn out from the previous night’s ordeal, Jesus could not carry his cross to the crest of Golgotha. So Simon was drafted to carry Jesus’ cross. The image of Simon shouldering the cross graphically pictures what every follower of Christ should be willing to do: to take up his or her own cross daily to serve Christ.

Jesus was led away from Pilate and out to the place where he would be executed. Condemned prisoners had to carry the crossbeam of their own cross on their shoulders through the streets of Jerusalem and to the execution site outside the city. Jesus started to carry his cross, but, weakened from the beatings he had received, he was physically unable to carry it all the way. A man named Simon from the country of Cyrene was coming into the city. He may have been a Jew coming on a pilgrimage to the city for the Passover, or he may have been from Cyrene but resided in Palestine. Soldiers were free by law to coerce citizens at any time. So this stranger was forced to follow Jesus and carry his cross.

Not everyone wanted Jesus to die. Seeing him on his way to be executed caused many to mourn and wail for him. Jesus told them not to weep for him but for themselves and for their children. He knew that in only about forty years they would face great suffering and would then mourn, weep, and wail, for at that time Jerusalem and the Temple would be destroyed by the Romans. This was Jesus’ third lament for the city of Jerusalem.

The phrase "days are coming" indicates a key time in God’s judgment about to unfold. While being childless was normally a curse, the coming days in Jerusalem would be so difficult that it would be considered a blessing not to have had children. Punishment would be so great that people would want the mountains and hills to fall on them and kill them. Death would be preferred to the judgment that they would face and its accompanying misery.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Once again, I am humbled and broken over the treatment of my Savior. I am moved by His determination and single mindedness. I am angry over the evil hearts of men. Ultimately, I am reminded this morning that I can not change this world of evil, but I can change the world for one person at a time - one family at a time, as I share the love of Christ and His plan of salvation.

Lord, draw people to COV today. Compel them to get out of bed and invest in their spiritual development and maturity. Draw new people here this morning to hear the Gospel (Good News). Lord, may Your message connect to the hearts and minds of every person today. May it encourage, teach, admonish, correct and draw people to You.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)

Thank You Lord for going the distance for us.