The situation surrounding Jesus became more intense. He had won popular support from the people with whom He had ministered. The crowds around Him had grown so large that the Pharisees and Sadducee feared that they would lose the following of the crowds. They were concerned that they Temple tax business would suffer. They feared that this popular carpenter from Nazareth might replace them as the most popular of religions so they had to move quickly. After deliberating all night as to what to do, the Jewish leaders led him to Pilate to build the case against Jesus. Pilate tried to control the situation. He did not want a Jewish uprising to take place. So he decided to flog Jesus and release Him. He had hoped that by punishing Jesus, the people would turn against the Pharisees and Saducees, and demand His release. The outcome did not turn out the way Pilate had hoped. Dr. Thomas Constable writes this about the flogging: "There were three forms of flogging that the Romans administered. The lightest of these, the fustigatio, was a light beating that only hooligans experienced. The second, the flagellatio, was a severe beating that criminals who were guilty of more serious crimes received. The third, the verberatio, was the most brutal. The worst criminals including those sentenced to crucifixion underwent it.561 Evidently Jesus received the first or second of these beatings at this time, namely before His sentencing. He received the third type after His sentencing (v. 16; cf. Matt. 27:26; Mark 15:15)."
The entire episode was a charade. It was ridiculous before the sight of God. However, this only goes to display the depth of God's love for us. To not only send His one and only Son to die for us in our place, but to put up with great mockery and the blasphemy of man! Jesus truly loved us, He took the nails for us so that we might live. 1 John 4:9: "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him."
The Trial Of Jesus
Dot Wilson
After the blind were healed, and the crippled did walk,
Some men were jealous, and then there was talk.
This man, Jesus, the reason for fame?
The Son of God? What an outrageous claim!
He's just a man, watch him and know.
It's blasphemy, that's what! Arrest him! Now! Go!
Thirty pieces of silver bought Jesus that day.
Betrayed by a kiss, they took Him away!
They tried Him, they thought they had it down pat!
But some said He did this, others said He did that!
They finally agreed, they said with a nod.
He blasphemed when He said, He's the Son of God!
The custom of the day was to set someone free.
Pilate said, "This Jesus, is who it should be!"
The people said, "No, release Barabbas to us!"
They kept on until they raised quite a fuss!
Father God, thank you for sending your Son to die for us. Thank you for doing what needed to be done when we did not know what we needed to have done. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!
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