What a mixed up mess! Even after all we did to him, he never said a word. How did he do it? How did he keep from screaming his lungs out as the whip grabbed and ripped the flesh from his back?
Who is this man?
But it was our sins that did that to him,
that ripped and tore and crushed him–our sins!
He took the punishment, and that made us whole.
Through his bruises we get healed.
Isaiah 53:5 MSG
Pilate did everything he could to humiliate this guy. Some of the soldiers jumped on that bandwagon in a minute. And still, despite the thorns and slaps and spit, still he didn’t flinch.
Thing is, even as his sweat and blood caked his face and back, and crowned with that hideous circlet of thorns, he never looked humiliated or hateful.
4 Pilate went out again, and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you, that you may know that I find no crime in him.” 5 So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!”
6 When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no crime in him.” 7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by that law he ought to die, because he has made himself the Son of God.” John 19:4-7 RSV
9 So he went back inside the palace and asked Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus did not answer him. 10 Pilate said, “You refuse to speak to me? Remember, I have the power to make you free or to kill you on a cross.”
11 Jesus answered, “The only power you have over me is the power given to you by God. So the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”
John 19:9-11 ERV
Nice focus on Pilate’s thoughts here!
Dear Becky, thanks for your visit! I think different perspectives help us to clarify our own, even if it’s a “bad guy”. Have a very blessed Resurrection Day!
How interesting to be having this back-and-forth between Pilate and “this man.” As many travel this road, this season, in particular, to remind others just what this season is truly about, many have never been here and need to know just what their options are. I pray each who reads these posts will come to a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I, too, have written about the Cross and the free gift. We each must walk the road to it.
Dear Linda, I apologize for being delinquent in responding to your insightful comment. I know we write about the cross and the journey to it for others, but invariably it draws me closer to our Savior. Thanks and blessings for allowing me to lift my prayers with yours!
Amen Allie, Oh My thank you for this blessed post. To God be the Glory. Blessings.
Dear Paula, I apologize for taking so late in responding to your comment. Thank you for visiting and prayers for you as we anticipate celebrating our Risen Savior!