1. What does the text say?
2. What does the text say about Jesus?
3. What does the text say about me?
1. The Jews were required to let Pilate hold a trial, if they wanted to execute someone. Pilate sees nothing wrong with Jesus. He probably saw through the leaders, that Jesus was somehow a threat to their position. Pilate tries to get Him off by offering the crowd Barrabbas, a murderer in the insurrection, but it doesn't work. Once condemned, the soldiers mock and beat Him and deride Him as "King of the Jews." They crucify Him at 9am, and many see and mock Him. At noon the sun goes out for 3 hours. Jesus quotes Psalm 22, which actually happened to Him then. He dies with the women watching. A Sanhedrin member buries Him.
2. Jesus suffers and dies innocently, forsaken by God, while the crowds misunderstand and mock Him.
3. Whoever you identify with, in this story, you are guilty in contrast with Jesus. The crowds wanted a revolutionary to save them, instead of their true Savior. The leaders wanted Caesar as king, instead of Jesus. Pilate wanted short-term, political peace, instead of the King of Peace. Barrabbas was freed in place of Jesus, who died in his place. The soldiers wanted a scapegoat to take out their anger on. Passersby were glad someone else got in trouble with Rome, and not them. The leaders felt justified in their disobedience, rejecting Him: He can't be the Christ if He's crucified.
This doesn't mean we are always guilty no matter what we do. After His death, the women and Joseph are shown, being faithful to Jesus as best they can.
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