“Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.” [17] [a] 18 But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” 19 (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) 20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” 22 For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.” 23 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.” Luke 23.13-24
Jesus was on center stage, with no way out. Power-hungry leaders and sinful human beings were fighting against him—not to mention the devil and the spiritual realm of demons influencing people to turn against God. It is no surprise that Pilate and Herod, Rome’s governor and Israel’s king, stood against him.
It was part of the story, the saga of what had to happen. Jesus had to die because people rebelled against God. Jesus was God’s substitute for our sin. Yet even today, people reject and rebel against his name. According to Scripture, the name of Jesus is the name of highest power. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to God except through Jesus.
Yet just as many people are rejecting him today as they were then. I heard a Presbyterian pastor in the PC(USA) reject his divinity, virgin birth, and resurrection. She rejected that he would need to die for us. It was straight from the mouth of the devil, and I could not believe it.
But just as people reject Christ, so many are finding life in him—freedom from sin and release from addiction. The way of Jesus leads to grace, love, beauty, and praise. The cost is this: we die to ourselves and give Christ our lives. We invite him to come in, take control, and we discover wholeness, health, and blessing from his Spirit.
Those who put Jesus on the cross are no different from those still rebelling against God today. People who call themselves “pastors” but are heretical, self-driven men and women seeking only what this world has to offer are walking the path of the enemy. But life is found in Christ. His death, suffering, and resurrection bring salvation to everyone who believes.
This week I am in the mountains where I met Christ forty years ago this summer. He found me because I was lost. When he met me and I encountered him, my life was never the same. Today his Spirit lives in me, and I daily seek to live a life pleasing to the Lord. I pray for those who reject his name and ask mercy for their souls.
Life is found in Christ. Has he found you today?
“O Lord God, thank you for loving me, for your power and grace. Come now, Holy Spirit, heal our land. The work you began so many years ago, let it continue today. Call all people to yourself, that we might find meaning, purpose, and joy in you. I praise you, Lord, and love your name. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen.