THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 27:20-26
“‘I am innocent of this man’s blood,’ he said. ‘It is your responsibility!'” (Matthew 27:24)
Who is responsible for what happened to Jesus?
In one sense Pilate and the Jewish leaders are responsible, but more importantly we all are.
Each one of us faces the death penalty because we are responsible for our sinful choices.
In a sense we are all responsible for all sin and suffering, for we are part of the problem.
Sin is like pollution in the world; its not ALL my fault, but I am a contributor.
We are not robots, we are not merely victims – we are response-able!
Jesus was not responsible for the mess of the world, but He did accept responsibility for it.
Our ‘Barabbas’ crimes were assigned to Him, and He took our place on the cross.
Jesus didn’t deserve to die; if the wages of sin is death, He didn’t need to be paid.
Like Barabbas, I see Jesus being flogged and think, ‘that should have been me’.
I am forgiven, but I should never forget that every time I sin drives a nail into Jesus’ hands.
I am responsible for sin and death, but now because of His love I am response-able for life.
I need to say NO to the sin that pains my Lord, and YES to the life He died for me to live!
By grace, I am response-able, able with His help to resist sin and restore goodness!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, may the weight and wonder of Your loving sacrifice compel me to hate sin and love goodness and do my best to not wound You anymore by my actions!
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
Justice.
Mob rule.
An upsidedown world.
Exchange Light for darkness.
Having it my own way.
Remember the words in the garden? You shall surely die?
And it came to pass. We ad to die . . . until Jesus came along.
Our sentence was the the cross but He took our place.
Our sentence was death but in His sentence we have life.
I am the reason He had to die, but because He did I can live.
Help me Lord each day anew to live for Jesus.
Help me to stand up for Jesus and not be part of the mob rule.
Help me this day to dress myself with the armour of God
so that I will be able to stand
and live the fruit of the Spirit.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry, His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! The trumpet call obey:
Forth to the mighty conflict, in this His glorious day;
Ye that are men now serve Him against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Stand in His strength alone,
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own;
Put on the gospel armor, and watching unto prayer,
Where calls the voice of duty, be never wanting there.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! the strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory shall reign eternally.