Matthew the apostle wrote how, “the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will you that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate said unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified”, and in chapter twenty-seven and verse twenty-three of his book, Matthew wrote how Pilate asked, “why, what evil has he done?” where we read:
And the governor said, Why, what evil has he done?
But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
The verse reads, “And the governor said, Why, what evil has he done?” Matthew began words, “and the governor” which means “the leader, guide, ruler, prefect, president, chief, general, commander and sovereign” “said” or “uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked”, “why” which means “for what reason and cause”, “what evil” which means “what is the wrong, wicked, troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive and baneful behavior” “has he done” which means “has Jesus performed, produced or prepared”? Matthew shared how Pilate desired to know the “reason” for Jesus to be “crucified” as he wondered what “wicked thing” Jesus actually did.
The verse continues, “But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.” Matthew added the words, “but they cried out the more” or “nevertheless, nonetheless, moreover and the religious leaders, elders and the multitude vociferated, prayed and spoke with a loud voice”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “Let him” or “allow and permit Jesus to” “be crucified” which means “driven down and fortified with stakes, palisade and hung upon a cross until dead”. Matthew shared how the “religious leaders, elders and the multitude” shouted even louder for Jesus to be “crucified” which means “hung on a cross” until He dies.
When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we marvel at the persuasion of this group of people over Pilate. Pilate did not know what “wicked or evil thing” Jesus did, so he asked the crowd. They ignored Pilate's question, and shouted more loudly for Jesus to be “crucified”. All this was done in the presence of Jesus who was and is the Creator of the world and all that is within it as well as the very people who were “crying out” against Him. Oh what love the “Savior Jesus” demonstrated for all this multitude and for those reading these words. At any time He could have stopped this trial and eliminated everyone, but He endured the crowd and this earthly destiny so people could be “saved”. “God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17), and His desire is to “save” every person from the penalty from sin and give them “everlasting life”. Let all who consider the words of Pilate and this crowd examine themselves and decide whether they know Jesus as the “Christ” or as the One who should be “hung upon the cross”.
Next time Matthew wrote, “when Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing ...he took water, and washed his hands”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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