04/03/2026
As I consider this world we live in and the current events, I am drawn to look at the world Jesus lived in and the events then. Both ruled by selfish greedy people, looking out for their own interests instead of looking for the truth. On this day we remember that Jesus was arrested without cause. Not because the guards were more numerous and well equipped, but because He allowed it to happen. Jesus was falsely accused and had false witnesses testified against Him. His disciples fled and Peter even denied knowing Him. They took Jesus to the Roman Governor Pilate. The Jewish leaders wouldn’t even go into the palace because Jews couldn’t enter a Gentile’s home because it would make them “unclean”. They were more worried about themselves and their traditions than in seeing Jesus for who He truly is. Pilate interrogated Jesus alone and found no fault with Him. The Roman Governor had more wisdom than the Jewish religious leaders. They were so worried about losing their power and money they couldn’t see the truth. They pressured Pilate and lied to get their way. They got the crowds worked up into a frenzy so much that they were yelling “Crucify Him”, when just 5 days earlier they were shouting “Hosanna” blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Pilate asked them “shall I crucify your King”. The Jewish leaders said they have no king (sound familiar), but Cesar. Not only did they deny Jesus as King, but the honored the worldly Roman Cesar as their king. Pilate relented and set Jesus to be crucified. Pilate made a sign for the cross saying “Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews”. The Jewish leaders asked Pilate to take it down, but he refused. Jesus was brought before Pilate around 6AM. He was crucified around 9AM. Around 12 noon darkness fell on the land until 3PM. Then Jesus said “Tetelestai” IT IS FINISHED. Meaning PAID IN FULL. Jesus took our death upon Himself to pay in full for our sins, past present and future. No matter what is going on in this world, nothing happens without God allowing it to happen for His glory. With our human minds we will not often understand why crazy things are happening, but God knows. And God doesn’t make mistakes. In John’s gospel chapter 6 verse 33 Jesus says: “These things I have spoken to you so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation (troubles) but take heart, I have overcome the world.”
