Read Luke 23:13–25 and Matthew 27:15–23.
As we read through the story of Jesus’s trial before Pilate, we see a vivid portrayal of human nature at its worst. The Jewish leaders, consumed with envy and hatred, have brought Jesus before Pilate in order to have him condemned to death. Pilate, for his part, seems more interested in placating the crowd than in administering justice. He knows that Jesus is innocent, yet he is willing to sacrifice him in order to keep the peace.
In the midst of all this, Jesus remains calm and steadfast. He does not lash out in anger or bitterness. Instead, he accepts the verdict of the crowd and willingly submits to his fate. He knows that his sacrifice is necessary in order to redeem humanity from its sin and reconcile us to God.
As we contemplate the magnitude of Jesus’s sacrifice, we are confronted with our own guilt. We, too, have been complicit in the sin that led to Jesus’s death. We have been consumed with envy and greed, just like the Jewish leaders. We have sought to placate our own desires, even when it meant sacrificing the innocent. In light of Jesus’s sacrifice, we must acknowledge our own guilt and turn to him for forgiveness and redemption.
But the knowledge of Jesus’s sacrifice does more than just expose our guilt. It also changes our perspective on the world around us. We begin to see others not as enemies to be defeated, but as fellow sinners in need of redemption. We begin to view the world not as a battleground for power and influence, but as a place of grace and mercy. We begin to adopt an attitude of humility and service, seeking to follow in the footsteps of our Savior who gave his life for us.
As we meditate on the story of Jesus’s trial before Pilate, let us remember the magnitude of his sacrifice. Let us acknowledge our own guilt and turn to him for forgiveness and redemption. And let us adopt an attitude of humility and service, seeking to love and serve others just as he loved and served us. May the knowledge of Jesus’s sacrifice transform us from the inside out, and may we live our lives in a way that honors the One who gave his life for us.