Good morning my friends. I hope everyone had a good Veterans Day. We had a fun and early and loooong day yesterday, but the kids and I really enjoyed the Veterans Day parade and the rest of the days events. We made some great memories! Lets get going. Mark 15: Why in the morning? The Pharisees take Jesus before Pilate immediately in the morning. The reason why it was so early in the morning was because the Roman officials day began at daybreak. Legal trials in the Roman forum were customarily held shortly after sunrise.” (Lane) Why Pilate? The Jews had lost the right to punish their criminals. They needed a Roman official to find Him guilty. Also, it put the blame on Rome for Christ death. I guess a way of washing their hands of His execution the way we will see Pilate wash his hands of the execution of an innocent man. Why the accusation of King of the Jews? The Pharisees did not accuse Jesus of blasphemy of being God because the Romans were polytheistic. They worshiped many gods, so it would of been no big deal to them if Jesus had said He was God, but to claim authority politically over the Jews? Treason. Jesus responds to the charge... It is as you say. He is the King of the Jews, but not a political king. He refuses to answer to any more of the charges or accusations being said against Him. Pilate marvels. Imagine, Pilate is probably use to having men grovel for their lives before him. He has a peaceful Jesus before him. Remaining silent knowing full well the cruelty of the Roman crucifixion. Pilate provides a way out for Jesus. Hell let the people decide. His way of washing his hands. Barabbas or Jesus is the choice presented to the crowd. The chief priests rouse up the crowd against Jesus. Pilate has to be frustrated. Why? What evil has He done? The crowd cries out against Jesus. Pilate has Jesus scourged and turned over to the soldiers for execution. Jesus in the hands of Roman soldiers is humiliated and beaten. Given a purple robe and a crown of thorns forced on His head and then given a reed to represent a scepter, they mocked Him. Then snatching the reed from His hand they beat Him in the head with it. They spat on Him. They mockingly worshiped Him, and led Him out to be crucified. Jesus is lead to Golgotha. He is carrying His cross in a parade of death. The Roman soldiers leading the way, humiliation continuing, as Jesus carried probably the crossbar of the cross which in itself weighed 75 to 125 pounds. The whole cross weighed about 300 pounds. The prisoner was usually stripped naked, the crossbar placed across his shoulders, and his hands would be tied to the crossbar. Jesus, severely beaten, dehydrated, has lost the strength to carry the cross. Simon is commanded to carry it for Him. Simon, would of probably been a pilgrim, there for the passover. He probably knew little of Jesus. Being made to carry a condemned prisoners cross would of been humiliating, but he had no choice. He was commanded to do so by the Romans. I will have to end here for right now. I just noticed the time. I want to pick up on this chapter if possible to finish it. Have a blessed day, go seize that day in love, peace out and ARMOR ON!
Posted on: Wed, 12 Nov 2014 12:16:21 +0000