Daily Bible Reading
Today’s Devotion by Tom Siderius
The Jewish leaders seek the death of Jesus
When we read the dramatic story of Jesus’ trial in Luke Chapter 23, we see that the high priest and his minions are determined to put Jesus to death to eliminate him once and for all. They judge him and punish him in the high priest’s house all through the night, but in the morning, they bring him to Pilate the Roman governor to ask for the death penalty. The Jews could not sentence him to death, only the Romans had the power to do that. So, they brought him to Pilate and then lied about Jesus with the lie that they thought would get Pilate worked up enough to put him to death.
“This man is leading a revolt against the government!”
“He has spoken against Roman taxation!”
“ He is stirring up the crowds against you!”
Why did the chief priests use this tactic to motivate Pilate?
The Herodian Rulers vs. the Jews
The Romans had had a considerable amount of trouble with the Jews and their rule over them. They much preferred having a compliant vassal ruler like Herod the Great or Herod the Tetrarch, his son. Then they didn’t have to have a standing army guarding the whole country and costing too much money and time for the government. The Herodians were Aramaeans from Syria which means that they were not really of Jewish descent or were only partly Jewish. This was another way that the Romans helped to divide the country into factions that favored their rule. The Aramaeans and the Jews hated each other, so the Herodian rulers were more likely to do the things that got them favor with Rome.
Luke 23:14-21(NLT) and he (Pilate) announced his verdict. “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. 15 Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. 16 So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”
18 Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” 19 (Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.) 20 Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
Pilate and then in turn Herod question Jesus and find no cause of death in the things that he has done. They treat him poorly and are willing to punish him with humiliation and flogging but not give him the death penalty. The chief priests and leaders of the Jewish population then demand that Pilate should sentence him to death. And also, his death should be the most gruesome death and punishment that the Romans had. It could have been “off with his head” with a sword, but no, the people wanted a spectacle of blood and pain.
Luke 23:22-25(NLT) For the third time he demanded, “Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”
23 But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded. 25 As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished.
Demands for Pilate
They demand not once or twice but three times for Pilate to sentence Jesus to death, even preferring a murderer and real conspirator against the Romans to their own Messiah. The record from Matthew of the same events shows us the true measure of their hearts. They reject Jesus as God’s Messiah and then reject God as their true Father over their country. This is the measure of their rejection of God.
Matthew 27:24-26(NKJV)) When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”
25 And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”
26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.
The people demand his death and even call on Pilate to put the responsibility for this deed on them and their children to come. This ultimate, clear rejection of God is the final point for the nation of Israel in this present age. There will be a new gathering of Israel in the future, but it will be those that God has chosen by faith and grace which is His nature and plan for all of mankind. We read from Isaiah 53 about how Jesus will be rejected by their nation.
Just as Prophesied
Isaiah 53:7-9(NLT)
He was oppressed and treated harshly,
yet he never said a word.
He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
And as a sheep is silent before the shearers,
he did not open his mouth.
8 Unjustly condemned,
he was led away.
No one cared that he died without descendants,
that his life was cut short in midstream.
But he was struck down
for the rebellion of my people.
9 He had done no wrong
and had never deceived anyone.
But he was buried like a criminal;
he was put in a rich man’s grave.
Jesus is killed for the rebellion of God’s people against Him. Then Paul gives us a clearer understanding of the age to come for Israel and how this fits together.
Romans 11:5-8(NLT) It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them. 6 And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.
7 So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened. 8 As the Scriptures say,
“God has put them into a deep sleep.
To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see,
and closed their ears so they do not hear.”
Why does Jesus need to be completely rejected by Israel?
What does it bring about?
God’s Wisdom for Jews and Gentiles
Read together from 1 Corinthians 2 about what was accomplished.
1 Corinthians 2:6-10(NLT) Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten. 7 No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. 8 But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. 9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
for those who love him.”
10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.
By the gift of holy spirit, the apostles and prophets of the New Testament bring to us, the church, a fuller explanation of what God intends and has accomplished with the death of His Son on the cross. It is not a logical proceeding or plan by human wisdom, but God knew what He wanted to do and He does it with His own timing.
The mystery of the coming of the church of both Jews and Gentiles is now revealed and is no longer a mystery. Praise the Father for His unsearchable love that He has loved us with.
Prayer
Father God who watches over His plans from the creation, we praise your Holy name. We lift up to you our hearts of awe and trust to You because You have called us to this time and place. You have done what You intended to do, and we are thankful beyond measure. Help us this day to believe on Your Word and speak and teach it to others. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray this day.
