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Hear the devotional here: https://bit.ly/3LXxkq2
View the devotional here:https://bit.ly/3LQsvPk
11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor. 15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him. 19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. 21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered. 22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” 23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” 24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” 25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. (Matthew 27:11-26 NIV)
On Tuesday of Holy Week, our church, First Methodist Church of Gonzales, is showing FREE of charge, the movie called The Passion of the Christ. This will be at 6 p.m. in the Stockton Building across the street from the church on St. Paul Street. I mention the movie because of the impact the movie had worldwide as well as on the actors who played in it. The actor playing Jesus, Jim Caviezel, and the actor playing Barrabas, Pietro Sarrrubi, both became believers after the movie. Everyone is invited
Jesus was arrested on false charges brought against Him by his enemies, the Jews. He is brought before the governor where the governor asks Him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" This after his Sunday triumphant entry into Jerusalem. This was a trial by a Roman official without a lawyer or person representing Him. Jesus' answer was simple and to the point, "You have said so." Then the accusers, the chief priests and the elders present their "evidence," mostly accusations, to which Jesus says nothing. Pilate, the governor asks Him, "Don't you hear the testimony they are brining against You?' Jesus has no reply to not one of the accusations. Then the governor remembers that as governor he can free whichever prisoner the crowd chooses. And wouldn't you know it, he has a popular prisoner named Jesus Barabbasm whose crime was his being a part of a riot where someone died. This riot happened to be against the Roman government. When the crowd was gathered and ready for the trial, Pilate asks them, "Which prisoner should I release to you?" Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah? Pilate was almost sure that the crowd would request our Jesus to be freed and more so because his wife had sent him a note while he was on the bench, as it were, telling him, "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of Him." Notice she says Jesus is an innocent man, and her spirit had been troubled because of this entire trial.
Jesus' accusers had other plans so they convinced the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to ask for Jesus' death by execution. The governor's question as to whom they should release was this time answered, "Barabbas!" Pilate then has to ask, "What shall I do, then, with Jesus Who is called the Messiah?" The crowd's anser was unanimous, "Crucify Him!" Pilate has to ask, "Why? What crime has He committed?" They could only answer, "Crucify Him!" all the louder. Pilate has to admit the crowd was now out of control and so he takes water and washed his hands in front of the crowd exclaiming, "I am innocent of this man's blood, It is your responsibility!" The crowd has no trouble yelling, "His blood is on us and on our children!" Gulp! Would you say such a thing today? Pilate relents and frees Barabbas to the crowd. As a final gesture of his power, he orders Jesus to be floggee, and turned over to be crucified.
These words do not do justice to the pain and pressure that Our Lord suffered just during this phase of Holy Week. The pictures from the movie mentioned above do paint a more realistic picture of Jesus' passion. All for the love He has for us.
PRAYER: Loving Father, we are humbled at all You have done on our behalf; bless our walk as we near the day which we call Good; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Share your love of Jesus with someone today. And begin to invite someone to Easter service at your church.
Receive my blessings of hope and joy,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
