Responsibility For the Crucifixion

Transcript

GR 412
9/13/1981
Responsibility For the Crucifixion
JOHN 19:8-16
Gil Rugh

John's gospel in your Bibles. John's gospel and the 19th chapter. We come to the climax of Jesus' time before Pilate, as Pilate is pressed to make a decision regarding Jesus and the sentence that the Jews are demanding regarding His execution. Pilate has tried to have Him freed. He has offered the Jews a choice between Jesus Christ whose innocence Pilate is convinced of, who Pilate knows the Jews know is innocent but they have delivered Him up because of envy. The choice between Jesus, an innocent man, and Barabbas, a known convicted murderer and criminal. The Jews have chosen Barabbas. Then as chapter 19 opens, Pilate had Jesus scourged. We noted something of the severity of this type of punishment, and again it seems an attempt to give a severe punishment but stopping short of execution, perhaps satisfying the demands of the Jews. Jesus undergoes the humiliation of the scourging and the mocking of the soldiers. Then He is presented by Pilate to the nation Israel. "I bring Him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in Him." Then in verse 5, arrayed in a purple robe and a crown of thorns He is presented by Pilate, "Behold, the Man!" Look, consider Him, and be moved to sympathy. Perhaps your hearts would be softened. But the Jews still cry out for crucifixion, and Pilate in exasperation told them "Take Him and crucify Him yourselves." The Jews realize this is not giving them the prerogative of crucifixion, but rather it is the disgust of Pilate being manifested.

The Jews give their basic charge in verse 7, and if you put together the various statements of the Jews, you see them trying to build a case wherever Pilate might latch on. He claims to be a King, He does evil, He stirs up the people, but at the basis of it all, He claims to be deity. Verse 7. "The Jews answered him, 'We have a law, and by that law He ought to die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God.'" We've noted here how clear the issues are to the Jews. Particularly the leaders that the claim of Jesus Christ is to deity. The claim to be the Son of God is a claim to be deity. And for this He deserves to die. The Book of Leviticus chapter 24 says that the person who blasphemes shall be stoned to death. Now the Jews are seeking crucifixion. We’ve noted perhaps because the Jewish leaders want to demonstrate to the nation that Jesus is accursed of God because the Old Testament pronounces a curse on anyone who is hung on a tree. Now this particular statement, that Christ made Himself out to be the Son of God, unnerves Pilate to a greater degree. So that verse 8 begins, "When Pilate therefore heard this statement, he was the more afraid." Interesting, there has been no indication to this point that Pilate is afraid, but now you have a statement "He was the more afraid." You get something, perhaps, of an insight into Pilate’s situation. That he is fearful in this proceeding. He is uneasy and uncomfortable. It would have been nothing for Pilate to turn over a Jew for crucifixion, perhaps with his attitude there would have been delight. But Pilate is extremely uncomfortable in the situation regarding Jesus of Nazareth.

We noted last week in Matthew 27—just turn back there to refresh your mind— in the midst of these proceedings, Pilate was interrupted by a message from his wife. And in verse 19 we are told, "And while he (Pilate) was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, 'Have nothing to do with that righteous Man, for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.’" And the Romans being very superstitious and having some very superstitious ideas about the gods, about their intervention among men, etc., here is a Man and Pilate's wife says 'Don't have anything to do with Him. I've been troubled in my dream.' This causes Pilate further uneasiness, and now He hears the Jews say, "This Man claims to be the Son of God" and Pilate is even more fearful. I've been uneasy about this confrontation, my wife has sent to me and said she was plagued in a dream because of Him, and now the Jews say He claims to be the Son of God! Who is this that I’m dealing with, that the Jews hate so vehemently? That I am so uncomfortable in proclaiming guilty.

Back to John 19. Pilate retreats back into the Praetorian and has Jesus brought before Him again. You remember Jesus had been brought out and presented to the nation with the statement, "Behold, the Man!" Now Pilate goes back into the Praetorian and speaks to Jesus. Obviously, Jesus has been brought back in again. Remember the Jews will not enter into the Praetorian because they are afraid of being defiled by that Gentile residence. So Pilate here has opportunity to speak to Jesus again in private, without the Jews being in on the conversation. And in verse 9, "He entered into the Praetorian again, and said to Jesus, ’Where are You from?'" Now he’s heard He's from Galilee. He sent Him to Herod, if you remember, because of that. But Pilate is troubled! Where are you really from? Is there something more to You? And the response of Christ is striking. End of verse 9, "But Jesus gave him no answer." Interesting study in the gospels, the times that Christ speaks and the times He doesn’t. Those He responds to and those He does not. The kinds of answers He gives. He gives Pilate no answer on this occasion. An excellent opportunity for Christ to come to His defense, to proclaim His defense again, to say who He is and where He's from. But He sits there silent. In these trials, the silence of Christ is especially striking. Here before Pilate, back up to Luke chapter 23, verse 9. Here before Herod Governor of Galilee, Tetrarch of Galilee. Verse 9, "Herod questioned Him at some length; but He answered him nothing." Silence in the presence of Pilate. Silence in the presence of Herod.

Back up to Matthew chapter 26. In the presence of the high priest, verse 63, "But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, 'I adjure You, by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.'" You note, with all the accusations coming from the leadership of Israel, the presence of the high priest, Jesus maintains silence.

Over in chapter 27, verse 14, Pilate is in view here. But here he is together with the chief priests. The chief priests bring the accusation. Pilate says, Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?’ And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so that the governor was quite amazed.” This is not the silence of a surley individual, but it is the silence of a person who obviously is in control of Himself. He was not being stampeded by the proceedings, but has a dignity about Him, that even Pilate is amazed that He does not respond in kind. He does not lash out in His own defense, but He maintains His dignity and control throughout the whole situation. Exactly like Isaiah the prophet said He would 800 years previously.

Look back in Isaiah 53 again. We looked at a portion of this chapter in our last study. Isaiah 53. Another clear indication that God is the author of the Scriptures, as He writes in detail how His Son will respond under the pressure of the trials leading to His crucifixion. Verse 7 of Isaiah 53, "He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth.” Silence, quiet, before the Jews, before Herod, before Pilate. Now there are responses that He gives on occasion, but nothing to try to defend Himself. Nothing to refute the lies that they are presenting. But in dignity He maintains His silence.

So come back to chapter 19 of John. Again, I think it's important that we see something of the atmosphere that is portrayed here. Sometimes in our marriages when we are upset, we give one another the silent treatment. That’s not what is in view here. Pilate would not be amazed by that kind of silence. But the silence that has a dignity about it, that is above the circumstances that has a confidence, a serenity, even in the midst of all of this. Pilate knows he has just scourged an innocent man, that he has allowed his soldiers to beat Him, to mock Him, to ridicule Him. Now the Jews cry out for crucifixion, and here is a man through all of this has His dignity, is in control, and does not lash out in self-defense.

So verse 10 Pilate speaks to Him, and this shows that Pilate even though he is interested about the claim that He made Himself to be the Son of God does not have a true interest in the person of Christ. If he really was questioning whether he was in the presence of the Son of God, we would expect his attitude to be different because note what he says in verse 10. "Pilate therefore said to Him, ’You do not speak to me?’" The emphasis here is on the "to me." To me You do not speak? To me, Pilate! Procurator, governor, esteemed Roman authority! "Do You not know that I have authority to release You, I have authority to crucify You!" Don't You understand the situation? If there's anybody you ought to be presenting a defense to, it's to me! You see something again of the arrogance here that indicates that Pilate still is not perceptive, even though he is uneasy. Like many people today who run rough-shod over their conscience, in spite of the uneasiness. In spite of the conscience within speaking, they proceed along the course they've set. Jesus' answer is amazing. "Jesus answered, 'You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me up to you has the greater sin.'" You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you, granted you from above! Jesus breaks the silence, not in His own defense you note. Not to say 'These lying Jews have nothing against Me. They're scheming, envious, jealous people.' No, not at all. But to cause Pilate to understand his situation. You need to realize you have authority over Me, that's correct. But you have that because God has given it to you. It is God who is sovereign, who has given you this authority.

Come back to the Book of Daniel, chapter 4. In Daniel 4 you have an account of Nebuchadnezzar, great king of Babylon. Pictured by the head of gold and the dream vision of the image in Daniel chapter 2. And he had a dream and the dream regarded the fact that he would lose his kingdom for a time. And in verse 17, we’re just going to pick up a few snatches out of this, you note the emphasis that God is sovereign over the affairs of mankind. Verse 17, ’’This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers, and the decision is a command of the holy ones,” and the decision here is that Nebuchadnezzar is going to go mad, lose his mind for seven years. ”...in order that the living may know that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind.” And note this, "...and bestows it on whom He wishes, and sets over it the lowliest of men.” Over to verse 25, as Daniel interprets this dream. "You will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place be with the beasts of the field, and you will be given grass to eat like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven; and seven periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whomever He wishes." Then down to verse 30, as the king is walking over the roof of the royal palace in Babylon, "The king reflected and said, 'Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?' While the word was still in the king's mouth, a voice came from heaven, saying, 'King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you...'" Isn't it amazing! Mighty Nebuchadnezzar walks on his palace, overlooking a kingdom that he built, and he says "My, am I not wonderful! Am I not great!" One statement from God: Sovereignty is removed from you! And in an instant Nebuchadnezzar is like an animal running around in the field eating grass. It gives you some perspective, doesn't it? It's not funny and yet I have to laugh when I read the account. Puny man, declaring his greatness before God. God speaks the word, and he's hopping around like a little furry critter! Puts things in perspective. The purpose (verse 32): "You will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you until YOU recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes." After seven years... Verse 34. "But at the end of that period I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever..." Note the difference between 30 and verse 34. "For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation. And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, ’What has Thou done?'" So Nebuchadnezzar concludes, verse 37,
"Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise, exalt, and honor the King of heaven, for all His words are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride." Strong reminder. Those who rule, rule by God's appointment. And just on the side here, that's why Christians ought to wherever they live and under whatever government be model citizens because God has appointed those that rule, even Pontius Pilate who is going to condemn the Son of God to be crucified. Jesus Christ says you rule by the authority of God. There is nothing attractive in Pilate's character, moral stature at all. You could find a ruler no place who had been guilty of any viler act than pronouncing the death sentence on the Son of God who he himself said is without guilt. Yet Jesus Christ says he rules by the authority of God. And the government is God's established order in society. We can look around and see abundant evidence today at the chaos in a world that is without recognition that a sovereign God rules and appoints, and it tends towards chaos and ruin.

One more note while we're here in Daniel 4 because it ties to what Jesus is doing in John chapter 19. The pride of man. God in His sovereignty and in His what we would call common grace bestows many blessings upon many, and yet it is characteristic of sinful man that he wants to take that credit to himself. Nebuchadnezzar didn’t stop and say to himself, "My hasn't God been good to me. He's the one who deserves the praise." But we stop and think, "My am I not clever. Am I not brilliant? Am I not able?" We fail to realize who is in control.

Now in John chapter 19, Pilate has been reminded. "You would have no authority over Me unless it had been given you from above." I think it's interesting to note the clear emphasis of the sovereignty of God in the crucifixion of Christ. Look at a few passages with me. Over in Luke chapter 22. As Luke records the Last Supper Jesus has with His disciples, verse 22 of Luke chapter 22. "For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe to that man through whom He is betrayed." You ought to underline that expression, "as it has been determined." As it has been appointed. The word here 'oridzo' means to appoint, to determine. It was appointed, it was determined. The boundaries were set that this must be.

Look over in the Book of Acts chapter 2. It clarifies for sure who determines. Judas didn't determine this. The Jews didn't determine this. God Himself determined. Acts chapter 2, verse 22, Peter is speaking on the day of Pentecost. "Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—this Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to the cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death." By the predetermined plan of God! Same word, oridzo—by God's appointed plan. It was God who determined that His Son would be given up to crucifixion. It was God who appointed that His Son would be betrayed and crucified by wicked men.

Look over in Acts chapter 4, verse 28. Just mention that word 'foreknowledge' in the verse we just read in Acts, means the same thing as appoint or determine, the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God. Says the same thing. God's foreknowledge. When God foreknows something, He determines it to happen.

Acts chapter 4, verse 27. "Truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You did anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur." Same word—oridzo. Here it has a preposition on the front, to determine before, to appoint before. God had determined beforehand, predetermined what would happen. So what Herod did, what the Jews did, what Pilate did, what the Gentiles did, was determined by God. So what you have with the execution of Christ is the sovereign plan of God being accomplished.

In Acts chapter 3, verse 18, while you're here, we're told that "the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ should suffer, HE has thus fulfilled." You know why biblical prophecy comes true? God fulfills it. What God said by the mouth of the prophets, God did. He fulfilled it,
Regarding His Son, Jesus Christ. Now the first question that comes to our minds—If
God is doing all this, then why are the Jews to blame? They're not. Is Pilate to blame? Herod? The Gentiles? I mean, it's God's plan and who can resist God's plan? But it's interesting the balance that's given. Just look at a couple of verses in Acts. Acts chapter 2 again, verse 23. "This Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God" now note, "YOU nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death." YOU are guilty. Verse 36, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom YOU crucified." Who is guilty? You are, Peter says. Over in chapter 3, verse 14. "But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead,—a fact to which we are witnesses.” You did it. But it was God's sovereign plan that sinful men according to their own sinful desires would take His Son and crucify Him. Man's sinfulness does not frustrate God's plan because God uses man's sinfulness to accomplish His plan. Why did the Jews crucify Christ? Because it was God's sovereign plan, because it was their sinful desire. And man's sinful desires cannot frustrate Almighty, Sovereign God's plan because He has determined to use man's sinfulness. So the Jews can't say it's not our fault. And it's interesting. You do not find that claim in the Book of Acts. Rather you find the Jews pierced to the heart by their own guilt. It's important that we realize that God is sovereign in all the events transpiring here.

Back to John 19, lest you forget we're studying the Gospel of John. John chapter 19. "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given to you from above." Just as Pharaoh in the Old Testament had been raised up for God's purpose, so Pilate rules at this point in history at this place because God wants to use the sinful character of this man to accomplish his purposes. "For this reason (end of verse 11) he who delivered Me up to you has the greater sin." You note. There is responsibility here. Even though God has granted the authority, Pilate has responsibility. He is sinning. But there is a distinction made. Jesus said the one who delivers Me up has the greater sin. He doesn't say that Pilate is innocent here. He said there is someone who bears even more guilt than you do. I take it He's talking about Caiaphas who is high priest, who is the representative of the nation Israel. And the nation Israel joins with him in his guilt as we read in the sermons of Peter in the Book of Acts. "You crucified Him," addressing the nation Israel. But here Caiaphas is the leader, the one making the decision. You remember back in John chapter 11, verse 49, it was Caiaphas—"A certain one of them,
Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, 'You know nothing at all, nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish.'" Caiaphas and the nation Israel are held more accountable by God because they had more light. These are people who had the Old Testament Scriptures, who had Isaiah 53 as we read it, who are responsible in light of the Revelation they had to know and recognize. So they sinned against greater light, and had greater sin, Jesus said to Pilate. But Pilate has sinned, he’s guilty. But the Jews are even more guilty because of the amount of light they have in their Scriptures.

Okay, back to John 19. It’s interesting to see Pilate’s response. Verse 12, "As a result of this Pilate made efforts to release Him..." What has He said? Jesus has said to Pilate, "You occupy your position by God’s sovereign authority. He has delegated this to you. The Jews have taken upon themselves that which is not their right in sinning against Me." Jesus realized that pressure is being put upon Pilate in the position he occupies, and the Jews are wrong in doing that. They are pressuring Pilate to violate justice. That does not excuse Pilate for doing it, but it makes the Jews even more accountable for their determination to frustrate justice and pressure Pilate into doing the wrong thing. Pilate recognizes the argument Jesus is saying here, that his authority is from God. Pilate senses the responsibility that he has. He doesn't feel he's off the hook you know, since they have the greater sin at least I feel more comfortable. No, he bears now the burden of his position even more greatly. I have this position by appointment, therefore, he seeks to release Him. "But the Jews cried out, saying, 'If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar.'" Now you note here, what the Jews are saying is, We want Him executed! Now the real reason is that He makes Himself out to be the Son of God, in verse 7; but let me tell you something, Pilate, the issue we're going to make before Caesar is that you have opted for a rebel, a king against Tiberias. So that's where the pressure comes. Are you the friend of Caesar or are you not? You'd choose Jesus to be king over Tiberias Caesar? You'd be against Caesar if you choose Jesus. Now we know something from history about the character of Tiberias Caesar, and there have been some writings about him. That he was a man who did not tolerate any opposition or rumor of opposition. We've noted something of Pilate's precarious position, and this becomes the argument that boxes Pilate in. He is afraid that if the Jews do carry out their threat and accuse him in the presence of Tiberias that he will not be able to stand against their claim and thus will look like he was siding against Tiberias.

Verse 13, "When Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment-seat at a place called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha." Now The Stone is the name of the place. They have excavated a place like this near the Castle of Antonia, and they believe this may be the very place. The Stone, the place where he sits in judgment. "Now it was the day of preparation for the Passover; it was about the sixth hour." We'll talk about the day and the hour at a later study because we want to spend some time on the day when Christ was crucified and the exact hour of the crucifixion—all these time notes are significant so we'll do them together. "And he said to the Jews, 'Behold, your King!"' Similarly earlier he has said, 'Behold, the Man!' Now here, Gentile ruler presents to the nation Israel, "Behold, your King!" And the response of the nation is shocking. "They therefore cried out, 'Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!' Pilate said to them, 'Shall I crucify your King?"' Note what the Jews say. "The chief priests (the rulers of the nation Israel) answered, 'We have no king but Caesar We will not have God rule over us. We will not have His Messiah rule over us.

One passage in the Old Testament. First Samuel chapter 8. The nation Israel is clamoring for a king on this occasion, but they are clamoring for a king because they are dissatisfied with God’s rule over them. So in 1 Samuel chapter 8, verse 6, "But the thing was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, 'Give us a king to judge us.’ And Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, ’Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them.’" A thousand years later, the Jews declare "We have no king but Caesar." They wanted a king like the nations, and now they are unwilling to have God’s rule over them. Unwilling to have God’s Messiah be their king. Down til to today they bear the suffering and agony of that decision. Two thousand years they have been at the mercy of the Gentiles, suffered the humiliation at the hands of the Gentiles, which will intensify and grow worse until the Messiah comes and all Israel is saved.

Verse 16 of John 19, "And so he then (Pilate) delivered Him up to them to be crucified." The decision is made. Pilate has nowhere else to go. That does not excuse him. He could have stood on what was right, whatever the cost, but he succumbed to the pressure and he delivers him up to be crucified.

Just note here as we come to this point in the crucifixion here. Let me just list some of the abuses that have gone on in the trials that Christ has undergone. First before the Jews, the trial was conducted at night. Jewish law said there could be no one tried at night. Second, it was conducted by a partial judge. Jewish law said any judge who had an interest had to be removed. But the Judge, Caiaphas, we read already this morning in John 11, he had already determined that he ought to die. And he is the man who is going to try this case as chief priest in Israel. Without impartial witnesses. At least two impartial witnesses had to be called. They could find none. So they had to condemn Him on the basis of His own testimony, contrary to Jewish law. There had to be at least two witnesses. You could not condemn a man on his own testimony. The death sentence is carried out on the day of the trial. Jewish law forbid carrying out the death sentence on the same day that the trial was carried out. The purpose of that law was to prevent the kind of activity here, which is a mockery of justice. No allowance was made for witnesses on His behalf. You don't find the Sanhedrin calling those who would testify those on behalf of the accused. Don't find Herod doing that. You don't find Pilate doing that. The Romans, before Herod—Herod declared Him innocent, in spite of the fact there were no witnesses on His behalf. Pilate declared Him innocent repeatedly. Yet he gave Him up to be crucified. In spite of all this, it amazes me even more in light of Isaiah 53:7, "He didn't open His mouth." He maintained His silence. In spite of all the mockery of justice being made, He didn't say anything.

Turn over to 1 Peter chapter 2, verse 19. "For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a man bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth, and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously.' Just a reminder. We as believers are called upon to live the doctrine that we proclaim—that a Sovereign, Almighty God is in control of everything that happens to me. That everything that transpires in my life, everything that people do with regard to me are all under the hand of a sovereign God. I need to be careful to recognize that I can sit back and rest in His adequacy, in His sufficiency, in His ability to care for me. "But this isn't fair. I wouldn't mind it if it was fair or right..." A sovereign God is still in control "But they are doing the wrong thing to me..." A sovereign God is still in control. He is still working His purposes. You know, no matter what wicked men do, they cannot frustrate God’s plan and purposes for me. It’s not such a great tragedy—Oh, Jesus Christ, the greatest man who ever lived is crucified in the prime of life at 33 years of age. What a future He had! No, at 33 years of age at His crucifixion, the purposes of Almighty God are realized. What a sovereign God! What confidence we have, that men cannot frustrate God's purposes for us because He is in absolute, total control.

We ought to keep in mind His plan in the death of His Son was the securing of our salvation. That’s the next verse in Peter—"He Himself bore our sins in His own body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, for by His wounds we are healed." Why? Why would a sovereign, almighty God who could have stopped it at any moment, who could have spoken the word as He did with Nebuchadnezzar and said "Sovereignty is removed from you." But He chose not to. Why? Because in love He was securing salvation for fallen mankind. For humanity that would execute His Son, He using even their wickedness to accomplish His purposes in providing their redemption.

Have you come to realize and understand that? Are you still in the position of an arrogant Pilate or Nebuchadnezzar? "I am so able. I am so sufficient. I can do it." Have you come to realize what you are? Who you are? "What is man that Thou art mindful of him, that the son of man that you even consider him?" What but the grace of God could provide salvation for such as you and I, free, at no cost, to any who will believe that Jesus the Son of God died in their place, paying their penalty on a cross. Let's pray together.

Father, how we praise You for such a Savior. Lord, for all the details that are transpiring in preparation for His crucifixion; and to be reminded that every little detail is under Your sovereign control. Lord, it amazes us and boggles our minds, it goes beyond our comprehension. But Lord, we rest secure, comforted in the knowledge that You have everything under control. God, remind us of this truth again and again. As we confront difficulties and trials, Lord, opposition, unjust or unrighteous treatment perhaps, God remind us that You are working Your purposes in and through us, and that nothing but nothing can frustrate Your plan. Lord, thank You for the plan that You are carrying out in the death of Your Son, Jesus Christ. That it was on our behalf, that it was so You could in righteousness,