June 13, 2013
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:20-26
OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION
Who is responsible for Jesus’ death: Pilate refuses to take responsibility; the religious leaders accept responsibility.
In one sense Pilate and the Jewish leaders are responsible for Jesus’ death, but more importantly we all are.
Each one of us faces the death penalty because we are responsible for our sinful choices.
But Jesus didn’t deserve to die; if the wages of sin is death, He didn’t need to be paid.
Like Barabbas, I see Jesus being flogged and think, ‘that should have been me’.
An old hymn says, ‘Mine, mine was the transgression, but Yours the deadly pain’.
Thankfully, because of Jesus, our Barabbas crimes are punished, and we are set free.
I am forgiven, but I should never forget that every time I sin, it is like driving a nail into Jesus’ hands.
The point of this is not to burden me with guilt, but to remind me about the seriousness of sin, and why I should make every effort to stop.
I am responsible for sin and death, but now because of His love I am response-able for life; I need to say NO to the sin that pains my Lord, and YES to the life He died for me to live!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, may the weight and wonder of Your loving sacrifice compel me to hate sin and love goodness and do my best to not wound You anymore by my actions!
Observations:
Pilate asked who was to be released – the Christ or the criminal? The religious leaders had persuaded the crowd that Barabbas was to be released. He was and Christ was delivered to be crucified. Pilate said that he was innocent of Jesus’ blood and the people responded that His blood be upon them and their children. How true.
Application:
Ability to respond we have. The response is like mankind saying I’m not responsible for the choice Adam and Eve made. Many chose the world rather than God. The ruler did not protect the innocent. The religious leaders did not see nor accept the Saviour and the people went their own way being lead by the blind insisting upon the mob following them rather than the Christ. We all do follow a leader and I must choose Christ as seen by my daily actions – to live for Jesus and not deny Him.
Prayer:
Guide me by Your Spirit Lord to walk daily in Your SonShine – walking in the LightShine – in THE Way which is Christ Jesus.
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me; No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.