Scripture

Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go.”

~Luke 23:22, NKJV

Quote

How changed our lives would be if we could fly through the day of wings of surrender.

~Hannah Whitall Smith

Pilate was a Gentile and a pagan, but he knew the Jews brought Jesus to trial out of envy and he knew that Jesus was innocent. These two facts are well known, but have you ever thought about all the things that Pilate did to get Jesus released. He sends Jesus to Herod hoping that Herod will make a judgment but Herod sends Jesus back. The question is: Did Pilate expect Herod to do this? I doubt it! Although Pilate pronounced Jesus innocent three times, he also has Jesus scourged. Why would a just court allow an innocent man to be beaten for a crime he did not commit. It does not make sense. Pilate was probably trying to appease the Jews and set Jesus free. Some say that Barabas was scheduled for execution on this same day. Even Pilate’s wife knew that Jesus was innocent. She too was a Gentile and possibly a pagan.

How is it that these two pagan Romans saw clearly that Jesus was innocent and the Sanhedrin did not? Why did wise men from the east come and worship the Christ child when Israel did not?  The Jews are rebellious people by nature and they were hell bent on seeing Jesus crucified. The beating Pilate gave Jesus arroused no sympathy in the Jewish religious leaders. They wanted Him crucified and they were willing to take the blame, that day! It is to be noted that a few months later they changed their mind. How do you execute a man for a crime He did not commit and with no evidence of guilt?

It is an astounding miscarriage of justice and it involved the highest of the high in the Jewish community. On a sadder note: they have never taken ownership of what they did. What the Jews did that day, they hoped to contain and bury. They intended it to be a little blip on the radar and then go away: instead the Apostles told everyone in Jerusalem and the news has spread to the world. Now everyone knows the Sanhedrin {72 rich Jews} murdered Jesus. It is a blood stain they cannot remove. All they have to do is take ownership and repent to Christ but they refuse to do it.

Extra

No meetings, no appointments, only trunk-a-treat at the Point tonight, and I hope it gets rained out. That Sheirk outfit looks hot. Great supper last night in memory of Bill Smith. LORD willing, we will get out money out of the fellowship hall. Pat’s jambayla is good!!! And we had enough desserts to sink a battle ship.

One of June’s weather persons said rain beginning at 4:00 this evening. Let it rain. I heard a song the other day that talked about no rain in heaven and thought to myself, “Who wrote that?” I love rain. Rain is wonderful. I believe there will either be rain in heaven or something better. Who wants a draught?

Have a good day and thanks for reading the blog.