The Sanhedrin had condemned Jesus to death, but they had no authority to execute him. For that, they needed to involve the Roman governor, Pilate. The charge was that Jesus claimed to be a king. So, Pilate confronted Jesus, who was bound and bleeding, and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus affirmed his kingship. Jesus is a spiritual king. He is the testimony of God who is sovereign over all things. He did not come to threaten the kings of the world, but to save his people from their sins. As before, Jesus did not reply to his accusers, to the amazement of Pilate.

Pilate did his best to find a way to release Jesus, for he knew that the Jewish leaders were only serving their own self-interest in bringing charges against Jesus. He tried using the custom of releasing a prisoner during the Passover festival. But the religious leaders provoked the crowd to request the insurrectionist, Barabbas. So, Pilate, though he knew Jesus to be innocent, handed him over to be crucified. This was the will of God for Jesus. In this way, even in being condemned, Jesus is revealed as our king.


Application: Lord, thank you for sending Jesus to bear the condemnation of my sin. Bless me to worship him as king.
One Word: Jesus is my king