Read: John 19:1-16
At the
end of John 18 we found Pilate attempting to release Jesus but the Jews wanting
none of it. John 19 begins with Pilate
having Jesus flogged (v. 1). Pilate
probably hoped that this punishment would satisfy the Jews, but he was
wrong. After they mocked Him with a
crown of thorns and a purple robe, they beat Him. Pilate again tells the Jews that he finds no
basis for a charge against Jesus (v. 4).
The crowd was not pacified, they cried out even more vehemently for
Jesus death, “Crucify! Crucify!” (v. 6). Pilate again replies that He finds no
basis for a charge against Christ (v. 6).
Pilate then tried to set Jesus free but the Jews wanted a conviction,
threatening Pilate’s political connection with Caesar (v. 12). Pilate surrendered and condemned Jesus to
death by crucifixion, caving in to social and political pressure.
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1. Jesus allowed people to think wrongly of
Him. Take a moment to reflect on your
life – who in your life thinks wrongly of you?
Are you willing to let it go?
Does it bother you that they think this way? If so, ask the Lord for
insight into why and if you have any selfish attitudes you need to confess
today.
2. Ask the Lord to show you areas in your life where
you cave into social or political pressure?
Confess this of sin and ask the Lord to show you how you can obey Him in
these areas.
3. Thank the Lord for His forgiveness and for
restoration! He loves to restore His
sheep back to Him!
