WEDNESDAY April 17, 2019
KING OF THE JEWS
Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.”
Matthew 27:11
Judas, leading a pack of 600 men with torches, betrayed Jesus with a kiss. In the court of Annas, He would suffer at the hands of Caiaphas the high priest and the elders of the counsel. They brought false witnesses against Him, accused Him of blasphemy, spat on His face, and struck him with the palms of their hands (Matthew 26:57-67).
After a torturous night, Jesus was bound and delivered to Pilate to be tried. The Jewish religious leaders could not kill Jesus, so they began to manipulate Pilate; they knew only Romans could make judgment against Jesus. If they succeeded, these hypocritical leaders could wash their hands of His murder.
Notice the question Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He wanted to make sure there was no mistake in trying Jesus. The religious leaders were listening to Jesus’ words. Jesus answered, “Yes I am.” While Jesus was being falsely accused by the chief priest and elders, He answered them nothing. He did not waste His time with them. Jesus had self-control. His actions fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 53:7:He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth….
Jesus would also be sent to Herod (Luke 23:6-12), and finally sent back to Pilate. The governor was going to have to think and make a decision, Do I release Jesus, or do I kill Him? Even though Pilate’s wife warned him not to have anything to do with Jesus because He was innocent, the governor was going to compromise (Matthew 27:19-26).
How come Jesus did not say one word to His enemies? Jesus trusted in the perfect will of the Father and aligned Himself with God’s plan. He knew that one day His enemies would be judged by God.
The man who loves and understands the will of God will not want anything outside of it.
~A.W. Tozer~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!