It's a miracle that Jesus was ever killed. I don't say that to be glib or offensive. But when you read through this chapter, it's hard not to notice that all the events worked out in such a way as to lead Christ to His death. God was leading Jesus to the Cross despite the people involved.

Judas and the mob cowered when Jesus identified Himself (18:6). When Jesus was questioned by the high priests, it was clear they had no charges to bring against Him. He had hid nothing of His actions, and they were the actions of a teacher, not a rebel (vv. 19-24). The high priests sent Him to Pilate, the Roman official in Jerusalem. When Pilate asked why the Jews brought Jesus to him, their answer was evasive: "If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you" (v. 30, ESV). When Pilate interviewed Jesus, he found nothing wrong with Him (vv. 28-40).

Jesus' death was a tragedy just as it is a tragedy when anyone dies under false accusations. But Jesus' death was also a miracle. His purpose in living was to die for us. And He lives now so that we might never die.

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