Friday, April 8, 2011
John 19:6 As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, "Crucify! Crucify!" But Pilate answered, "You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him."
GUILT FOR JESUS, PARDON FOR US
Numerous accusations were levied against Jesus during the proceedings of His church and state trials. In the court room of the Sanhedrin men stepped forward and accused Him of instigating a plot to destroy the Jerusalem temple. The high priest Caiaphas accused Him of blasphemy by pretending to be the Messiah. The chief priests and teachers of the law shouted countless accusations against Jesus before King Herod. During his trial before Pontius Pilate He was accused of being an inciter of riots, a traitor against Rome, a king in competition with Caesar. In no instance, however, were any of His accusers able to make a charge stick. Jesus was shown to be blameless, holy, pure, set apart from sinners in every way. Nonetheless, though exonerated of wrongdoing, He was pronounced "guilty as charged" and condemned to die.
It fills us with sadness to hear how our Savior was subjected to this travesty of injustice. At the same time we are glad because we realize that everything that transpired on that fateful Good Friday long ago took place according the gracious will of God. Our heavenly Father chose to make His holy Son a blameworthy criminal that we guilty ones might be pardoned of any wrong-doing for His sake. As justified, believing children of God we enjoy a peace of mind, security of spirit, and comfort of soul that the world cannot give.
Thou hast suffered men to bruise Thee That from pain I might be free;
Falsely did Thy foes accuse Thee,-- Thence I gain security;
Comfortless Thy soul did languish Me to comfort in my anguish.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be, Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 151:5)
