The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (8) - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. Then they said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they struck Him with their hands. Pilate then went out again, and said to them, "Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him." Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, "Behold the Man!"
John 19:1-5

The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (8)
Though Pilate repeatedly stated he found no fault in Him, he did not keep his soldiers from treating Jesus with utmost cruelty and contempt. Making Him wear an agonizing crown of thorns, they beat this into His head with a reed. Mockingly they bowed before Him, spitting on Him, hailing Him King of the Jews. Thus Pilate presented Him to His people with the words, "Behold the Man!"

But absolutely no pity was found with this mob or their leaders. Rather, they told Pilate that according to their law Jesus must die because "He made Himself the Son of God." Pilate was afraid then. He asked Jesus where He was from. When He did not answer he told Him he had power to crucify Him. To this Jesus replied, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin." To add to Pilate's problem, the Jews told him that if he let Jesus go, he would not be Caesar's friend. "Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar," they said.

Pilate then brought Jesus to the official judgment seat and presented Him to the Jews with the words, "Behold your King!" Once more they rejected Him with the words, "We have no king but Caesar!" Then Pilate gave Him over to them to be crucified.

Whose friendship do we value most—Christ's or the world's? Let us bow in heartfelt adoration and worship before our Savior!

Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.