Title: Pilate's Execution Decision
Contents Luke 23 tells us that while they were taking Jesus, a man from Cyrene named Simon caught what was coming from the countryside and took up the cross on him and made him follow Jesus (Luke 23:26).
Dear saint! Finally, Pilate was forced to make a decision. But the decision was to have the innocent righteous executed.
First, Pilate's sin (Luke 23:13-25).
Pilate knew all too well that Jesus was without sin. Four times he said that Jesus was innocent (Luke 23:4, 14, 15, 22). He struggled to avoid deciding to execute. So I investigated in front of you. Even Herod was not guilty of killing him. Therefore, we talked about various things, such as releasing them, but the chief priests, rulers, and the people demanded that Jesus be crucified with a loud shout, as if a riot would soon occur. The custom of releasing one prisoner on the Passover was also unavoidable. Barabbas, a death row prisoner imprisoned for rebellion and murder, was pardoned, and shouted that the innocent Jesus be crucified. Finally, Pilate succumbed to the cry of the crowd and handed Jesus over to be crucified. The horrific thing happened: the death row inmates were released and the innocents were killed. Pilate was guilty of failing to keep the truth, and of deciding to execute Jesus, the Son of God, as a creature. How about you? Do you think you can protect the truth by risking your life for it? Or, like Pilate, give up the truth to the voices of the majority?
Second, daughters of Jerusalem (Luke 23:26-31).
It is customary for condemned criminals to carry the cross to the place of execution, but Jesus' energy was so weak that Simon from Cyrene carried it instead. Later, Simon's family becomes a precious church member (Mark 15:21, Romans 16:31). The women who mourn follow Jesus. Jesus tells the daughters of Jerusalem about people doomed to ruin. The pain is so much that I would rather think of not having children as a blessing. Verse 31 is like a proverb, and there are many interpretations, but if the innocent Jesus suffered like this, what would the fate of the sinful Jews be like? Jesus cared more for those left behind than for compassion for himself.
Dear saint! Truth is truth. As Christians, we must clearly risk our lives for the truth and reject all lies.
Our Lord Jesus Christ! Let the truth triumph over injustice.