Jesus' Innocence Condemned

We saw last Thursday how the Jews chose the barbarian, Barabbas to be freed instead of Jesus. Now comes the horrific abuse of an innocent Man, the GOD Man, Jesus Christ.

John 19:1-16, "Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head."

"Once again Pilate came out and said to the Jews, 'Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know I find no basis for a charge against Him.' When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and purple robe, Pilate said, 'Here is the Man!' As soon as the chief priests and scribes saw Him, they shouted, 'Crucify crucify!' But Pilate answered, 'YOU take Him and crucify Him. As for me, I find no fault for a charge against Him.'  The Jews insisted, 'We have a law that He must die because He claimed to be the Son of GOD!' Pilate went back into Jesus. 'Do you refuse to speak to me? Don't you realize I have the power to free you or release you?' Jesus answered, 'You would have no power over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.' From that point on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, 'If you let this man go you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king is an enemy of Caesar.' Pilate asked, 'Shall I crucify your king?' The chief priests answered, 'We have no king but Caesar!' Pilate handed Him over to them to be crucified."

The commentary mentions, "The Jewish leaders were so desperate to get rid of Jesus that, despite their intense hatred for Rome, they shouted, 'We have no king but Caesar.' How ironic that their false allegiance would be to Rome while rejecting their own Messiah! Their own words condemned them, for GOD was to be their only true King, and they had abandoned ever trace of loyalty to Him. Instead of turning people to GOD, they claimed allegiance to Rome in order to kill their Messiah."

Jesus is the Savior of the world. "Believe in the LORD Jesus and you will be saved - you and your household." Acts 16:31 A true Friend indeed!