Daily Devotion for April 1, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPassionate Christ
Day 32

 

What Crime?

 

"Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"  Mark 15: 14

 

The Sanhedrin crowd had their response prepared. They did not even answer when Pilate asked what evil Jesus had done; they simply increased the volume of their demands. The cheers of Palm Sunday became the jeers of Good Friday. "Crucify Him!" they shouted, and sealed both His destiny and theirs.

 

Pilate’s phrase was in a rather peculiar idiom. It is almost as though he was asking them, "For what did He evil?" The ‘for’ points to his surprise. It appears that Pilate had been caught unaware by the ferocity of their behavior. It was a bloodthirsty culture, and he was used to that, but there was usually at least an element of consistency or reason in why things turned out as they did. He appreciated that he was the representative of a foreign regime and that some crimes were the result of a misguided patriotism; but he was completely puzzled by how this Jesus had gotten such powerful enemies. More than that, Pilate had heard that the preacher was very popular with the people. He had been drawing large crowds to hear Him, especially in the north of the country. Many, many northerners were in town for the Passover festival, so Pilate didn’t quite understand why Jesus did not have more support. Or did he?  The crowd that gathered before Pilate that day did not number more than 1,000.  Most were employed or part of the Temple Leadership.  Were the supporters of Jesus, the Palm Sunday crowd, scared of this group that assembled before Pilate?  Certainly the disciples were.  Reason was an empty hope in such a situation. The “crowd” seemed to be baying for blood. "Crucify Him!" What was a Pilate to do?

 

Prayer
Dear Jesus, when Christianity and what You are about is criticized, do I stay away from those who hate You or do I stand up for You and for what is right?  Forgive me when I don’t, give me strength to stand up for You and for truth.  Amen

 

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