Day 38 of 40 days to Resurrection day

Today’s suggestion:

Read about Jesus’ arrest and trial.

(Matthew 26:47 – 27:26; Mark 14:43 – 15:21; Luke 22:47 – 23:25; John 18:1 – 19:16)

When I see the word “trial” above,  I must shake my head in disgust.  Jesus had no trial.  His doom was embedded in the hearts of evil men intent on having their way and getting rid of this rabble-rouser once and for all long before Judas ever struck a deal for 30 coins.

Jesus had disrupted their Sabbath services by healing the sick.  He had trashed their traditions by pointing to the true intent of the Law.  He had threatened their political clout and watered down their power by pointing people to a relationship with an Abba Father who loved them.

Oh yes, Jesus was in their cross-fire, and they would stop at nothing to accomplish their goal.  How little they really understood the Law and the Prophets and knew the God who spoke through them.

They refused to see God in the flesh standing there.

But others saw a glint of glory.  Pilate’s wife warned her husband to have nothing to do with this just man.  Pilate himself said he found no fault in him.  Even the betrayer returned with his contract payment and admitted he had betrayed innocent blood.

And one of the thieves on the cross, guilty as sin, saw a glimpse of a King about to return to His kingdom.

It was a mockery, this thing called a trial.  Yet, Jesus own words to Pilate reveal what was actually happening.  “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.“

Then Pilate asked, “What is truth?”  The world still asks that question.  They are still looking for truth.

The Way, the Truth, the Life stood before Pilate, face to face, eye to eye.  This was Pilate’s moment to see, but instead he gave in to the crowd, he caved to their pressure.  He washed his hands and walked away from his moment of decision.

The same moment of decision comes to each of us as we determine who Jesus really is.  Is He a king?  Is He the Messiah?  Is he the One who came as a lamb to die for the sins of the world?

Examine His teachings, His actions, and His life.  You will see that Jesus was guilty of one thing.  He loved this world to death.

The truth you seek is embodied in the One called Jesus.