Failing the Test
Opening Prayer
Lord, I praise You today because I know that all Your works are perfect and all Your ways are just (see Deut. 32:4).
Read MARK 15:1-20
[1] Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. [2] “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. [3] The chief priests accused him of many things. [4] So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.” [5] But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed. [6] Now it was the custom at the Feast to release a prisoner whom the people requested. [7] A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. [8] The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did. [9] “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate, [10] knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. [11] But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. [12] “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them. [13] “Crucify him!” they shouted. [14] “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” [15] Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. [16] The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. [17] They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. [18] And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” [19] Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. [20] And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What one “crime” did Jesus confess to?As the spotlight passes over Jesus’ friends, the religious and political authorities, and the ordinary people (the crowds and the soldiers), we see how each of them has a decision to make. Whether they are Jew or Gentile, each of them fails.
Judas, the disciples and even Peter all fail Jesus. The High Priest and Sanhedrin refuse to accept Jesus as their Messiah and, despite his innocence, they plot his death (1). Finally the Jewish crowd chooses a murderer over Jesus (11-14).
The Gentiles are no better. Pilate, an astute politician (10), is trapped by his own attempts to manipulate the Jewish leaders (9-14). He chooses political gain over upholding justice (15).
It could be argued that the Gentile soldiers were simply obeying orders (15). However, each soldier is responsible for the part he played in mocking and torturing Jesus (17-20). The motley crew of these verses represents humankind. It doesn’t matter whether we claim to know God or not, whether we are leaders or followers. Every time we reject the truth, ignore justice, and choose or condone wickedness we are each guilty.
Apply
Spend some time now quietly considering all Jesus suffered to remove your guilt and win your forgiveness.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, in light of all that You’ve done for me, I never want to betray You or Your ways.
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