Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” Luke 23:4 (ESV)
Twisting His words
Our reading for Day 30 is pretty long, so I want to look at it one section at a time.
66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.” Luke 22:66-71
The accusers of Jesus seem to hear whatever they want to hear. When asked if He is the Son of God, Jesus says “You say that I am.”
Then, the people basically say that He admits it Himself. They take His words and twist them. He knows that the evil in their hearts will make them convict Him no matter what He says. He also knows that there is no evil in His own heart. He is not guilty of any sin.
Not Guilty
23 Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” 5 But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.” Luke 23:1-5 (ESV)
I think it is interesting that they accuse Him of forbidding people to give tribute to Caesar when we know the opposite is true from Mark 12:
Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him. Mark 12:17 (ESV)
Pilate himself says that Jesus is not guilty of any crime.
Pilate tries to pass the buck
6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. 9 So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other. Luke 23:6-12 (ESV)
Pilate doesn’t want to upset these influential Jews, but he also does not want to convict a man who is not guilty. He looks for a way out of his predicament and finds a possibility in the fact the Jesus is from Galilee and therefore under the jurisdiction of Herod.
Herod is no real help. He treats Jesus badly but does not convict Him. Herod simply sends Jesus back to Pilate.
Not deserving of death
13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him.15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore punish and release him.” Luke 23:13-16 (ESV)
Pilate takes the return of Jesus from Herod as further evidence that Jesus is not guilty of anything that is worthy of a death sentence. He tells this to the people and they do not react well.
Pilate caves to a mob mentality
18 But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— 19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will. Luke 23:18-25 (ESV)
This mob of people are so stirred up and angry. They want their own way no matter if it is right or not. No matter if it is legal or not. They demand that Pilate release a murdered and execute Jesus.
Pilate tries to convince them otherwise, but he eventually gives in to their demands. He hands Jesus over to be killed even though he knows that Jesus is not guilty.
How about you?
Have you ever been accused of something you didn’t do? Or taken the blame for something that someone else did?
Jesus knows how you feel. Though He was not guilty of any wrong, He took the blame for all of our wrongs. He can comfort you in your sorrow.
Action Step:
Our Focus today is the EASTER STORY!
Easter Story: We will take days throughout Lent to learn different events leading up to the resurrection of Jesus.
Reflect on how amazing it is that the Prince of all Heaven, the Son of God, would come and endure that humiliation for us. He took our guilt and suffered for it even though He was not guilty. If I am falsely accused, I want to defend myself. My instinct is to try and clear my name, to set the record straight.
He resisted that impulse for us. Jesus submitted to the shame, the punishment, and the pain of the consequences of our sin because He loves us.
Prayer:
Dear God, Thank You for forgiveness. How incredible that You love us enough to send Jesus to endure such pain when He was not guilty! We are so grateful for the freedom we have from sin because of His sacrifice. Help us to never forget what a gift it is. In Jesus’ name, amen.
