Daily Bread 2011 - Mark 15
Daily Bread 2011 – Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011 Mark 15
Jesus Before Pilate
1 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. 2 “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 3 The chief priests accused him of many things. 4 So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.” 5 But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.
What Does This Mean?
As we reach the end of Mark’s gospel, we enter his version of the last hours of Jesus’ life. Like the other gospels, the Jewish leaders conspire to have Jesus handed over to Pontius Pilate, who has authority in this district and would the only one who would sentence Jesus with the death sentence.
But since there is nothing Jesus has done deserving of death or capital punishment, the only thing that they can drum up is insurrection or political treason, for Jesus’ supposed claiming to be a King. As Pilate questions Jesus to determine if this accusation has any merit, Jesus refuses to answer him in any concrete way.
Pilate the most powerful man in the world at that time presses for an answer and Jesus remains silent. At one of the most important times in Jesus’ life he sees no need to defend himself or his cause.
What Does This Mean For Us?
It is easy for us when someone is challenging who we are to react defensively. A lot our anxiety in life comes from trying to prove ourselves or live up to the expectations of those around us. How was Jesus able to remain so non-anxious and non-defensive when his very life was on the line?
In short, Jesus knew who He was and He knew that all that was going on around Him was in His Father’s hands. He had no inclination to bow to the human authority, because He knew He was accountable to a higher authority. In doing so, Jesus also respected the human authority in power as He had taught His disciples to do. (I.e. Give to Caesar what is Caesars!)
One of the hardest things to do in this life is to let God defend our cause. But there is a peace in having such a confidence in who we are and what we have been called to do, that we don’t have to justify ourselves. Bottom line is if we are living in step with the Spirit’s rule and direction and according to God’s will as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, then we don’t have to worry about making everyone happy. And, in fact, as many of us have found it is impossible anyways.
Jesus as we live our lives you call us to be sensitive to the needs of others around us, but ultimately we are to be led by Your call on our lives. Help break us of the tyranny of trying to win the approval of men, but seek to please you first. Amen.
Jesus Before Pilate
1 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. 2 “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 3 The chief priests accused him of many things. 4 So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.” 5 But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.
What Does This Mean?
As we reach the end of Mark’s gospel, we enter his version of the last hours of Jesus’ life. Like the other gospels, the Jewish leaders conspire to have Jesus handed over to Pontius Pilate, who has authority in this district and would the only one who would sentence Jesus with the death sentence.
But since there is nothing Jesus has done deserving of death or capital punishment, the only thing that they can drum up is insurrection or political treason, for Jesus’ supposed claiming to be a King. As Pilate questions Jesus to determine if this accusation has any merit, Jesus refuses to answer him in any concrete way.
Pilate the most powerful man in the world at that time presses for an answer and Jesus remains silent. At one of the most important times in Jesus’ life he sees no need to defend himself or his cause.
What Does This Mean For Us?
It is easy for us when someone is challenging who we are to react defensively. A lot our anxiety in life comes from trying to prove ourselves or live up to the expectations of those around us. How was Jesus able to remain so non-anxious and non-defensive when his very life was on the line?
In short, Jesus knew who He was and He knew that all that was going on around Him was in His Father’s hands. He had no inclination to bow to the human authority, because He knew He was accountable to a higher authority. In doing so, Jesus also respected the human authority in power as He had taught His disciples to do. (I.e. Give to Caesar what is Caesars!)
One of the hardest things to do in this life is to let God defend our cause. But there is a peace in having such a confidence in who we are and what we have been called to do, that we don’t have to justify ourselves. Bottom line is if we are living in step with the Spirit’s rule and direction and according to God’s will as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, then we don’t have to worry about making everyone happy. And, in fact, as many of us have found it is impossible anyways.
Jesus as we live our lives you call us to be sensitive to the needs of others around us, but ultimately we are to be led by Your call on our lives. Help break us of the tyranny of trying to win the approval of men, but seek to please you first. Amen.
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