Jesus Condemned and Crucified

Luke 23:13-25, 32-34

GOLDEN TEXT: “What then shall I do unto Jesus who is called Christ?”—Matthew 27:22

OUR Lord was brought before Pilate early in the morning of the day of His crucifixion, about eight o’clock. The Jewish Sanhedrin had acted still earlier and had approved of the findings of the High Priest in the examination during the night watches; that is, that Jesus was guilty of blasphemy, because He claimed to be the Son of God. Pilate, as a representative of the Roman government, was not interested in the charge of blasphemy, which so far as he was concerned, had to do merely with the religious viewpoint of the Jews. The Jews knew this, so in bringing the Master before Pilate, the charge they gave him to consider was that Jesus claimed to be a king. Naturally Pilate could not dismiss this charge without consideration, because it had to do with treason against the Roman government.

It required but a few moments for Pilate to make an examination of the prisoner at the bar. The charges were so evidently untrue, that he speedily discerned the animus of the Jewish rulers who formulated them. He saw that it was not the Roman government that was in danger, but the power of the religious rulers of the Jews. Pilate was discerning enough to recognize that this was the real reason why Jesus had been brought before him with the demand that He be sentenced to death.

The multitude standing outside the gate, shouted the accusations riotously, incited so to do by their religious leaders. Jesus made no reply, so that even Pilate marveled at His quietness, self-possession, non-resistance, and lack of vindictiveness. Jesus refused to defend Himself even though He was manifestly a person quite able to plead His own cause.

Pilate asked the Master if He were not aware of the fact that he had power either to set Him at liberty or to inflict the punishment desired by the people. Our Lord’s answer was serene. He told Pilate that he had no power over Him at all, except as it were permitted by the Heavenly Father. This was the secret of our Lord’s composure. He had given His life, His all; He had surrendered to the Father His every interest; He had confidence in the Father’s love and wisdom, and was ready, therefore, to drink of the cup which the Father had poured, rejoicing to do the will of Him that sent Him, and to finish that work.

It had been even so with the Lord’s followers during this age, in proportion as they, like Him, have been enabled to realize the fullness of their consecration, and, at heart, are filled with His spirit of loving submission to the Father’s will. In this proportion they have been enabled to be calm under the most severe and trying ordeals, so that the world has often marveled at their composure and self-control. The peace of God passing all understanding, has ruled in their hearts.

Another of the Evangelists (John 18:28-37) reporting Jesus’ experiences before Pilate indicates that this representative of Rome asked the Master if He were a king. To this Jesus responded saying, “To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.” Thus the Master, rather than attempting to deny the charge that, was placed against Him, tended to confirm it by acknowledging that He did understand that in the divine arrangement He was destined to be a king. However the Kingdom in which Jesus was to be a king was not an immediate challenge to the supremacy of the Roman Empire. His Kingdom was not to be of this world, but of the world to come, as Jesus plainly stated in His answer to Pilate’s query.

In concluding his brief interview with Jesus, Pilate approached the wide open doorway of his courtroom, outside of which the people were crowding, and publicly and openly declared, “I find no fault in this man.” The rulers, disappointed, fearing that by some mischance they would, after all, lose their prey, were angry, and aroused the populace to expressions of dissatisfaction with verdict. Through careful study of the account of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion, it is very apparent that the real responsibility for His death rests upon the shoulders of the Jews and particularly upon their leaders, the scribes and Pharisees.

It is in confirmation of this thought that God through the prophet had already declared the time would come when the poor, blinded eyes of the Jews would be opened and they would look upon Him whom they had pierced, and mourn for Him. (Zech. 12:10; Rev. 1:7) Thank God that such a time is near and the Lord’s promise to pour upon them the spirit of prayer and supplication is soon to be fulfilled! As a people they have had severe experiences and surely all Christians today should rejoice to know that their coming release is near.

QUESTIONS:

Why wan Pilate not informed of the charge that Jesus was a blasphemer because He claimed to be the Son of God?

In God’s sight, who was more responsible for the death of Jesus, the Roman authorities, or the Jews?

Will the Jews, as a nation, ever recognize their national sin of crucifying Jesus? If so, what will God’s attitude then be towards them?

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