The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 31 March 2020 – TOPIC: INNOCENT, YET PUNISHED
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TOPIC: INNOCENT, YET PUNISHED
READ: LUKE 23:1-25 (NKJV)1. Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate.2. And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this [fellow] perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”3. Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered him and said, “[It is as] you say.”4. So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.”5. But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.”6. When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean.7. And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.8. Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long [time] to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him.9. Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing.10. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him.11. Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked [Him,] arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.12. That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.13. Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people,14. said to them, “You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined [Him] in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him;15. “no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him.16. “I will therefore chastise Him and release [Him”]17. (for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast).18. And they all cried out at once, saying, “Away with this [Man,] and release to us Barabbas” –19. who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder.20. Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them.21. But they shouted, saying, “Crucify [Him,] crucify Him!”22. Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let [Him] go.”23. But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed.24. So Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested.25. And he released to them the one they requested, who for rebellion and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will.*THE MESSAGE:*In our text today, we see the trial, conviction and punishment of Jesus. Pilate confirmed that Jesus had committed no crime, yet the people kept shouting “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” Eventually, He was crucified. Legally, the trial was not correct, but spiritually, the crucifixion was necessary for the redemption of the human race. And through that death, Jesus paved the way to the Father through His death on the cross. As believers, sometimes, our suffering may not be logical or legal. In such circumstances, we need to prayerfully trust God to show us His purpose in that suffering. That understanding, when supplied, gives the believer the peace that passes all understanding. This is especially necessary as we meditate on the sufferings of Christ and the benefits of His death and resurrection.*PRAYER:* Dear Lord, please help me see Your purpose in every suffering I go through in Jesus’ Name. Amen