Mark 15:1–5 (ESV) —
1 And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. 2 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 3 And the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” 5 But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.
NOTE: It is an interesting situation for Pilate. He has to balance appeasing Rome, the leaders, and the populace while also maintaining control. Rome was not unjust unless it served their interests. Jesus committed no crime nor did he seem willing to defend himself against the charges brought against him. He was not violent. And for Pilate, there was his wife's warning about not getting involved. But Pilate here represents the Gentiles. And the leaders (chief priests, elders, scribes, and whole council) represent the Jewish people. The Jews wanted him killed but the Gentiles held the authority to make it happen. In the end, Pilate gives the order to crucify him. By all accounts, Pilate did not want to crucify him. But that does not absolve him of the action. Of course, it was God's will that he die for all people. Pilate was a low-level actor in a grand plan. His involvement destroys the idea that Jews were the Christ-killer. All mankind, represented by Jew and Gentile, killed the Christ, the messiah. And we are all guilty of his death if only that our sins required a substitute if we were ever to be restored and saved.
PONDER:
Our sin, and God's love put Christ on the cross. Do I realize how fortunate I am for this death for me?
PRAYER: Father, thank you for your great love to save a sinner like me. I am undeserving of all that you have and continue to do for me. Thank you!
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