LUKE 23
Pilate wanted to get rid of Jesus as quickly and as easily as possible, but you cannot avoid making serious decisions about Him. Pilate ended up condemning an innocent Man, releasing a guilty man, and making friends with a wicked man. What a record for a Roman ruler whose responsibility it was to uphold the law and give people justice!
Herod wanted to see Jesus do a miracle! The evil king would make the Son of God into a court entertainer. Jesus performed no miracle; He spoke no word. Herod had silenced God’s voice, and there was nothing left for him but divine judgment.
Barabbas deserved to die but was set free because Jesus took his place. Did Barabbas go to Calvary and look at the Man who died for him? Probably not. He was glad to be free from the sentence of death so he could return to his old ways. He was free but still in the bondage of sin.
And for those people—and many more—Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (v. 34). What grace!
The thief exercised great faith when he asked Jesus to remember him, for Jesus did not look like He was able to save anybody.
Joseph exercised great courage when he openly took our Lord’s body from the cross. He defiled himself for Passover week, but it made no difference: he had met the Lamb of God, and that was all that mattered.