VS. April 20, 2025 Easter Sunday Devotional
April 20, 2025
MARK 15:1-3 | 1As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. 2 Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “You say so.” 3 Then the chief priests accused him of many things.
Jesus’ relationship with the leaders of Israel was complex. They acknowledged His deeds of power, but some attributed them to His alleged alliance with the Evil One. They recognized the unique power of His teaching but resisted His claim to be the Messiah. They tried to trap Him into sedition or compromise, they ridiculed His background, they sullied His reputation by labeling Him a glutton and a drunkard, and they questioned His friendship with “tax collectors and sinners.” Jesus, in turn, could be very explicit about their shortcomings as leaders and theologians (see Matthew 23).
In the end, the Sanhedrin and high priest were not allowed to execute anyone, so they had to depend on Pilate, the Roman governor, to condemn Him to death on a capital charge of treason. What an irony—Jesus refused to be a military leader who would lead an armed rebellion, and yet He was condemned as a rebel king. The one who taught enemy love, was portrayed and treated as a violent revolutionary. Yet Jesus’ silence before His accusers was proof of His patience with them.
When have you been falsely accused of something? Were you patient?
Gracious God,
Help me remember You are my only true Judge and the opinions of others do not count in the end. Give me patience under pressure.
Amen.
