1. Jesus, the king of the Jews (1-5)

The Jewish leaders took Jesus to Pilate the Roman governor. Pilate asked him, 'Are you the king of the Jews?' Jesus answered, 'You have said so.' Jesus is the promised Messiah King. The chief priests accused Jesus of many things. But he didn't defend himself in order to fulfill God's salvation work just as a soldier jumps on a grenade to save fellow soldiers.

2. Jesus, sentenced to be crucified (6-15)

Pilate knew Jesus' innocence and the Jews' evil motive. But to keep the Jews satisfied, he offered the crowd a choice between Jesus and a murderer Barabbas. But they rejected Jesus and chose Barabbas. They rejected God's free offer of salvation-Jesus-and chose a criminal. They demanded Pilate to crucify Jesus. Pilate finally handed Jesus over to be crucified. He gave in to the crowd, knowing that it was wrong. When he didn't stand on the truth, cowardice and sin took over him. Jesus was condemned for us, who chose sin-like the crowd-and gave into evil in the spirit of cowardice and compromise-like Pilate.


Application: Lord Jesus, you are our King who took the burdens of our sins silently to the cross. Help us to accept Christ and to stand on the side of truth.
One Word: Jesus is the servant King