Day 33

His arrest and crucifixion...

John 19:6b-16 NIV84

But Pilate answered, "You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him."

The Jews insisted, "We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God."

When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. "Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. "Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"

Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of greater sin."

From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar."

When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge's seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour.

"Here is your king," Pilate said to the Jews.

But they shouted, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!"

"Shall I crucify your king?" Pilate asked.

"We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered.

Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.

So the soldiers took charge of Jesus.

Why did the Jews insist that Jesus must die?

How did Pilate respond? What did Jesus tell Pilate?

The Jewish leaders ultimately coerced Pilate to do their will by insinuating he would be a traitor to Caesar if he released Jesus. Two kingdoms at odds: man's vs God's. Even though the Psalms refer to God as King numerous times, who did the Jews choose to honor? What about you? Do you recognize the spiritual realm and serve God's Kingdom with your life? Or do you choose to bow down to the tangible forces in this world that appear more powerful and influential at this moment?

Lord, You are King of kings and Your Kingdom is the one that will never pass away. A choice has to be made about who to serve --- I choose You. Bless me with the faith to daily serve the King of creation and not the prince of this world.

"... But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

Joshua 24:15 NIV84