#DailyDevotion They Called For YHWH To Be Crucified
Luk 23:13-25 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, (14) and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. (15) Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. (16) I will therefore punish and release him.” (18) But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— (19) a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. (20) Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, (21) but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” (22) A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” (23) But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. (24) So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. (25) He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.
Pilate was desiring to let Jesus go. Herod could find no fault in Jesus either. The words of the prophet had to come true, Isa 53:3-5 “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (4) Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. (5) But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” Having been beaten by the Sanhedrin, Pilate’s and Herod’s men, Jesus became one was despised and rejected by men. The stripes from the whip, the punches and slaps in the face, the crown of thorns had done their job to make him one whom men would hide their faces from.
David’s words came to life in the court of Pilate, Psa 22:12-13 “Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; (13) they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion.” Yes, they cried out for Jesus’ blood, all of it. A heavy beating would not do. “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Such were the words of those who should have begged him for mercy and forgiveness. Yet the Father was using these wicked men to procure for them and for the world forgiveness of sin and eternal life. Through the Jews and the Romans God the Father had prepared a sacrifice, the sacrifice of his only son. Even as he had commanded Abram to sacrifice Isaac and yet provided a substitute, the Father would provide a substitute sacrifice for us. There was no substitute for Jesus.
It is written, Pro 17:15 “He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD.” Yet the Jewish leadership would not heed to their own word. They roped in Pilate to join them in their sin. They were an abomination to the Lord. Yet Jesus by his death justified the ungodly suffered himself, a righteous man to be condemned. He became for us an abomination, a curse that we might be justified and declared righteous through faith in his sacrifice. Our salvation was not a pretty thing. It was awesomely horrible and terrible. But that is what it took to save you and to save me.
Merciful and Forgiving Father, you sacrificed your only begotten Son Jesus Christ that the ungoldly might be justified and live. Grant us faith that we may believe this and receive in ourselves your declaration of justified and righteous. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.