Luke Part 3 Week 25

Day 1 

RECEIVE 

Luke 23:11-12 

¹¹ Then Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus. Finally, they put a royal robe on him and sent him back to Pilate. ¹² (Herod and Pilate, who had been enemies before, became friends that day.) 

So sad that Herod himself as well as his soldiers began “mocking and ridiculing Jesus.” The Messiah could have wiped out all of them with just a spoken word, but He allowed all of this to go on because He wanted to complete the plan of the heavenly Father. Then they sent Jesus back to Pilate. The hatred of Jesus was so strong that it even brought enemies together against Him.  

REFLECT 

Have you known of an issue or event that brought enemies together to oppose or support? 

RESPOND 

As you read the gospels you will notice that the Pharisees believed in the supernatural but the Sadducees did not. Yet both were enemies of Jesus and the message He was preaching.  

Day 2 

RECEIVE 

Luke 23:13-14 

¹³ Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, ¹⁴ and he announced his verdict. “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent.” 

Pilate was now a friend of Herod as they were opposed to Jesus. After extensive examination, however, Pilate could not find anything in Roman law worthy of condemning Jesus to death so he had to declare Him innocent. Pilate was surely trying as hard as he could to find something Jesus would be condemned for, but he could not find anything.  

REFLECT 

Do you know of anyone who wanted to find fault in someone but was unable to do so. I know of a person who was drawn to trust in Jesus because of the life modeled by a believer.  

RESPOND 

Visit with a friend about making it your desire to live in such a way others cannot find fault with you. Read Philippians 2:14-15 to see Paul’s encouragement to live a Christ-honoring life. 

Day 3 

RECEIVE 

Luke 23:15-16 

¹⁵ “Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. ¹⁶ So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.” 

Some manuscripts add verse 17, (for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast) (NKJV). Pilate acknowledged that Herod had come to the same conclusion that Jesus was innocent. Instead of releasing Jesus without further investigation or punishment Pilate said, “So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.” Such is a great contradiction to finding Him innocent. 

REFLECT 

If you have read these accounts before, did you think it was strange that if Pilate and Herod found Jesus innocent they had Him whipped before He was released? 

RESPOND 

The more one learns about all that Jesus went through because of His love for lost mankind, it should make all believers want to honor Him with their lives. 

Day 4 

RECEIVE 

Luke 23:18-21 

¹⁸ Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” ¹⁹ (Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.) ²⁰ Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus. ²¹ But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” 

The angry crowd would rather have a known insurrectionist and murderer released to them than Jesus in whom Herod and Pilate could not find fault. The crowd had such hatred for Jesus they wanted Him to suffer the worst kind of death known at that time. Even the thought that they wanted Him to be crucified should make every person react in horror.  

REFLECT 

Today the cross is thought of as a beautiful emblem to wear. In those days, however, it was the sign of a terrible death. 

RESPOND 

Be reminded of what Luke recorded in Luke 9:23-26. Let this be a sobering reminder to all followers of Jesus. 

Day 5 

RECEIVE 

Luke 23:22 

²² For the third time he demanded, “Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.” 

How strange that even though Pilate could find no reason to sentence Jesus to death, he agreed to have Jesus flogged. This was certainly contrary to the Roman law at the time. An innocent man should not be flogged. Pilate was anxious to appease the angry crowd. 

REFLECT 

Have you known of some who were punished for no reason? Some innocent people have even been kidnapped by opposing governments. This could even apply to innocent babies in the womb who have had their lives taken. 

RESPOND 

Join with a friend in praying for those who do not have a voice. In this regard see Proverbs 6:16-19 to read of seven things the Lord hates. Christ-followers need to hate what God hates and love what He loves.