Judas was seized with remorse. He tried to return the blood money the Sanhedrin had paid him to turn Jesus over to them, saying, "I have betrayed innocent blood." But they told Judas, "That is your responsibility." They were right about that. Our sin is our own responsibility. We should repent of our sin. Instead, Judas went off and hanged himself.

Because the Sanhedrin could not put Jesus to death, they took him to Governor Pilate to do so. Pilate asked if he was the King of the Jews, and Jesus replied, "You have said so." That was all Jesus would say in his defense. Pilate tried to release Jesus, offering the crowd a choice to release Barabbas (a well-known prisoner), or Jesus. But the crowd insisted that Jesus be crucified. At this, Pilate told the crowd, "It is your responsibility." Then the soldiers put a crown of thorns on his head, mocking his kingship. They beat him and took him off to be crucified.

Jesus was innocent. He was innocent of all the things they were trying to put Jesus to death for. And he was innocent of committing sin. He was sinless and guiltless, but he was tried in our place.


Application: Father, Jesus is our king who was tried in our place. Thank you for the sacrifice he made for us.
One Word: Jesus our King was tried in our place.