Matthew 27:11-23
Then Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he did not respond. Then Pilate said to him, “Don’t you hear how many charges they are bringing against you?” But he did not answer even one accusation, so that the governor was quite amazed.
During the feast the governor was accustomed to release one prisoner to the crowd, whomever they wanted. At that time they had in custody a notorious prisoner named Jesus Barabbas. So after they had assembled, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Christ?” (For he knew that they had handed him over because of envy.) As he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent a message to him: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man; I have suffered greatly as a result of a dream about him today.” But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor asked them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas!” Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Christ?” They all said, “Crucify him!” He asked, “Why? What wrong has he done?” But they shouted more insistently, “Crucify him!”
COMMENT & QUESTIONS
The Jews weren’t allowed to put anyone to death. They had to get the Roman governor Pilate to approve. But when they brought Jesus before Pilate, he couldn’t find anything wrong with Him. The chief priests stirred up the crowd against Jesus. It’s easy to go along with the crowd rather than thinking and acting for ourselves. What ways are you pressured into going along with the crowd in your life?
Think about our culture and the things it prioritises. Things like money, possessions, career, ego, knowledge and intellect. Do you feel pressure to pursue these things like those around you? Or perhaps you have friends who want you to speak like them and act like them. Maybe you face the pressure of social media to conform to specific cultural movements.
PRAYERS
Pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are facing temptations today Pray for courage to not be pressured by the world
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