Today’s Thoughts – 17 September 2020
By T. S. Candee on September 17, 2020 in John Thoughts
Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.
It’s important for us, as we read the account of the trial of Jesus, to understand that God is in control of the situation. Jesus was on trial so that He could become the sin-sacrifice for you and me.
The Sanhedrin could condemn, but only the Romans could execute legally. If the Sanhedrin killed Jesus, it would be by stoning, not by crucifixion, and thus would not have fulfilled Scripture.
It was necessary for four reasons for Jesus to be crucified by the Romans at the instigation of the Jews:
- To fulfill prophecies – John 19:36-37
- To include both Jews and Gentiles in the collective guilt for the deed – Acts 2:23; 4:27
- By crucifixion, Jesus was “lifted up” like “the snake in the desert” – John 3:14
- A person under God’s curse was to be displayed (hanged) on a tree as a sign of judged sin – Deuteronomy 21:23; Galatians 3:13
Why is this important to us? Because it shows that God has a will and plan for our lives. There was a specific order of events and people to fulfill Scripture in the trial of Jesus. The same, God brings people into our lives that are in the will of God. God will bring certain events and challenges in our lives that are in His will.
It also shows us Jesus’ submission to His Father’s will. We must too submit to the will of our Heavenly Father. If we do, He will bless us and guide our lives in His will. This doesn’t mean that we will be spared from suffering. Jesus was tried, beaten, and killed. But He was in God’s will. We too will encounter suffering while we are in God’s will.
Let this encourage you to stay in God’s will, submit to His will, and understand that God is ultimately in charge even during suffering and hard times.
