Mark 15:1-15
The Chief Priests and Scribes and Pharisees have gone as far as they could go in their mock trial. Now they needed to go to Pilate to get the Romans to somehow see to it that Jesus is crucified. An interesting thought here is that in Psalm 22 it tells us how Jesus would die. It prophesied the manner in which our future Savior would die. Jesus had already told Nicodemus how he would die because He said this: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so the son of Man must be lifted up. Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:14-15)
Jesus’ not answering Pilate’s questions is a fulfillment of the prophecy found in Isaiah 53:7 “He opened not His mouth.” Jesus knew what the outcome would be. Crucifixion on a cross was part of God’s redemptive plan way back in time before the creation of the world. Personally, where would we be if Jesus hadn’t bore our sins in His own body on the tree.
Pilate thought he could get Jesus released when he offered a choice of Jesus or Barabbas. Surely the Jews would choose Barabbas, a convicted criminal, and let an innocent man go free, right? But that was not the case. It was not to be because of their hatred and even more so because it was part of God the Father’s plan for our salvation from the very beginning. Pilate gave in to the pressure when he found he couldn’t prevail over the people’s wishes and he allowed Jesus to be taken and crucified. He didn’t understand that Jesus’ death on the cross would provide salvation for everyone, including him. We can say what we want about Pilate. He washed his hands saying that he wanted nothing to do with His death. I find it interesting when the Jews stated: “His blood be upon us and our children.” Could that possibly have anything to do with what the Jewish people have gone through? I personally don’t know, but it is cause for wonder considering all our choices have consequences either good or bad. What does the death of Jesus mean to you? I know what it means to me. He is everything to me.
Jesus’ not answering Pilate’s questions is a fulfillment of the prophecy found in Isaiah 53:7 “He opened not His mouth.” Jesus knew what the outcome would be. Crucifixion on a cross was part of God’s redemptive plan way back in time before the creation of the world. Personally, where would we be if Jesus hadn’t bore our sins in His own body on the tree.
Pilate thought he could get Jesus released when he offered a choice of Jesus or Barabbas. Surely the Jews would choose Barabbas, a convicted criminal, and let an innocent man go free, right? But that was not the case. It was not to be because of their hatred and even more so because it was part of God the Father’s plan for our salvation from the very beginning. Pilate gave in to the pressure when he found he couldn’t prevail over the people’s wishes and he allowed Jesus to be taken and crucified. He didn’t understand that Jesus’ death on the cross would provide salvation for everyone, including him. We can say what we want about Pilate. He washed his hands saying that he wanted nothing to do with His death. I find it interesting when the Jews stated: “His blood be upon us and our children.” Could that possibly have anything to do with what the Jewish people have gone through? I personally don’t know, but it is cause for wonder considering all our choices have consequences either good or bad. What does the death of Jesus mean to you? I know what it means to me. He is everything to me.
