Passage
Mark 15:1-15 (ESV)
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
Acts 8:26-40
Key Verse: 8:35
Jesus' Second Trial: Before Pilate
Date: Apr. 2, 2015
Daily Bread
Key Verse: 15:14
First, "Are you the king of the Jews?" (1-5). The Jewish leaders condemned Jesus to die, so they brought him to Pilate to have him executed. Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "You have said so," Jesus replied. The Jewish leaders didn't like Jesus' answer and accused him of many things. Jesus did not respond or defend himself. Jesus was not a worldly, political king, but a spiritual king-the Messiah, the Son of God (1:1; 14:62).
Second, the innocent for the guilty (6-15). Pilate had a custom to release a prisoner during Passover. He tried to use it to have Jesus released, knowing they opposed Jesus out of self-interest. But they stirred the crowd to ask for Barabbas, who was jailed for murder. To satisfy the crowd, Pilate had innocent Jesus handed over to be crucified, and set Barabbas free. We, like Barabbas, should be condemned, not Jesus. But Jesus took flogging and crucifixion for us, to set us free-the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God (1Pe 3:18).
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am the guilty one. You did nothing wrong. You are my Savior and Lord. May my life bring you praise.
One Word: He committed no crime but took my guilt to be my King and Savior
