When Jesus was condemned to die, for a crime he did not commit, he stood strong in silence. He was betrayed by a friend, falsely accused, and wrongly judged; yet, he accepted his punishment without a word of protest. He did this for us!
My brothers and sisters in Christ as we go through the season of Lent, we should be more mindful of all that the Lord has done for us, we should be asking ourselves some serious questions about how we live our own lives. Jesus was wrongly condemned for a crime he did not commit. Have you ever been wrongly accused, or have you misjudged or wrongly accused others? To be betrayed by a friend, falsely accused and wrongly judged, hurts. Many of us would not have stood silently and be condemned for a crime we did not commit. Thank you, Jesus, for what you did for us.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus’ death was predestined. He had to suffer and be raised from death, so he could bring light to his own people and to the Gentiles. Jesus gave up His spirit and gave us His life!
Let’s ponder this for a moment; Jesus gave up His spirit and gave us His life. Have we taken this ultimate sacrifice for granted?
While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death. “What then should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify Him!”
Have you ever been persuaded to do something wrong by your friends, family, or others you want to impress? Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent of the charges, he was warned by his wife; but, he had already condemned Jesus to die when he released Barabbas. He tried to wash his hands clean, but the deed was already done. Too many of us know the right thing to do, but because of pressure, do otherwise. My brothers and sisters in Christ, soap and water cannot undo the wrongs we have done, only the grace of God.
After Judas left the temple and hanged himself, the chief priests picked up the thirty pieces of silver and said, “It is unlawful to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” After conferring together, they used the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. Matthew 27:5,6
My brothers and sisters in Christ, what have you bought with your thirty pieces of silver that you received from ill gotten gains? Know the source of the gifts you receive so that you will not be accursed.
When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people conspired against Jesus to put Him to death. Then they bound him, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor. When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So, he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.” So, Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. Matthew 27:1-5
My brothers and sisters in Christ, have you ever made a decision and found out that it was too late to change your mind? There are consequences to all of our actions and decisions. Judas was enticed by thirty pieces of silver. What is it that so easily entices you? Let us daily ask God, to relieve us from the snares of the enemy that so easily ensnares us, and for his guidance in making the right decisions. Many times, the decisions we make are irreversible and have dire consequences.
Oh God, you are my God, early I seek you, my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you, as in a barren land where there is no water. Therefore, I have gazed upon you in your holy place that I might behold your power and glory. Psalm 63:1-2
“For your loving kindness is better than life itself, my lips shall give you praise. I will bless you as long as I live and lift up my hands to your name. My soul is content, as with marrow and fatness and my mouth praises you with joyful lips when I remember you on my bed and meditate on you in the night watches. For you have been my helper and under the shadow of your wings I will rejoice. My soul clings to you and your right hand holds me fast.”
“No one who believed in Him will be put to shame, for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, the same Lord is Lord of all and generous to all who call upon Him. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart, that is the word of faith that we proclaim; because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. Romans 10
The Lord is full of compassion, slow to anger and of great kindness. He will not always accuse us, nor will he keep his anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins nor rewarded us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our wickedness. Psalm 103:8-10
Our God is truly gracious and full of compassion for us; “For as the heavens are high above the earth, so is His mercy great upon those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has be removed our sins from us. As a father cares for his children, so does the Lord care for those who fear Him, for He Himself knows whereof we are made, He remembers that we are but dust.”
But now O Lord, You are our Father, we are the clay, and You our potter and we are all the work of your hands, do not be furious O Lord, nor remember our iniquity forever. Isaiah 64:8
Have mercy on me O God, according to your loving-kindness, in your great compassion blot our my offenses, wash me through and through from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sins, for I know my transgressions and my sin is ever before me, against you only have a sinned and done what is evil in your sight, and so you are justified when you speak and upright in your judgement, indeed I have been wicked from my birth, a sinner from my mother’s womb. For behold, you look for truth deep within me and will make me understand wisdom secretly. Purge me from my sin and I shall be pure, wash me and I shall be clean indeed. Psalm 51:1-9
But, we are like an unclean thing and all of our righteousnesses are like filthy rags, we all fade as a leaf. Isaiah 64:6
“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly receive the word planted in you, which can save your souls.” Help us, Lord!