Reading
SAA Notes
Judas testifies to this fact: Jesus was innocent! The shepherds of Israel reveal themselves to be evil shepherds, indifferent to the welfare of the flock and to each member. (Ezekiel 34) Pilate’s political expediency is shown in its true colours.
SJA Notes
* Father in Heaven, thank You that You came to earth and lived amongst us, Your Word become Flesh.
“And all the people answered, ‘His blood be on us and on our children.'”
This is such a gut-wrenching passage in many ways, and the verse above is terrifying in its scope.
We see mob mentality, group-think, in full swing.
Pilate tried (weakly) to be a dissenting voice.
The crowd yelled louder.
Crucify Him!
Even at a very important question – What evil has He done? – The crowd refuses to think and instead shouts the same voice louder.
Crucify Him!
This grouping of people, both the trouble-makers and the trouble-participators alike, they murdered the spotless and perfect Lamb of God.
They crucified God in the Person of the Son, the Prince of Peace, Immanuel – God With Us.
They killed Him!
They opened up full vent without a care for the shedding of His blood, either for them or their children.
This is what is terrifying.
To place the blood of the Creator God as a responsibility on the shoulders of their children.
As if it were a light thing.
What about us today – Are we able to stand in judgement of their actions?
God’s word is clear, we are fallen man all together and our hearts and deceitful and deceptive.
God’s word tells us that we were a part of the mob.
Not because we were present in that crowd of people.
But because of God’s great mercy to us.
It was for our sin today (and back then) that Jesus went to the cross. It was for our sin today (and back then) that His blood was spilled.
Jesus went to the cross BECAUSE OF and FOR us.
In 1 Peter 2 we read,
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”
The good news for the biological and spiritual children of that mob so long ago, for those who participated and for us today – Is that God the Son gave Himself up as a sacrifice for many, for the forgiveness of sins.
Through His blood shed on the tree.
Instead of His blood being on us and on our children, instead His blood shed brings us hope and promise.
Hallelujah, what a Saviour!
* God Above,
Thank You for Jesus, through whom we are saved!
Amen.