Lent 2021 - TURNING POINT

Friday, March 12th

False Accusations, Mark 15:1-8 -Written by Carol Sparks

 

Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision.  They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.  “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate.  “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.  The chief priests accused him of many things.  So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer?  See how many things they are accusing you of.”  But Jesus made no reply and Pilate was amazed.  Now it was the custom at the feast to release a prisoner whom the people requested.  A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising.  The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.  Mark 15:1-8

The Jewish leaders who were jealous and resentful of Jesus wanted him tried and executed on a cross.  The only way to accomplish this feat was to make false accusations against him.  (Who is the Liar?  It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ…I John 2:22.)  The slander promoted by the religious leaders illustrates the sinful human condition and our need for a Savior. The plan of salvation offers forgiveness; resulting in a restored relationship with God.   Jesus is about to fulfill his mission on earth.

Isaiah called Jesus the ‘man of sorrows; familiar with suffering.’  Jesus was hated, slandered and persecuted and he warned that we, as Christians, will be subjected to the same type of treatment.  When the truth is distorted and we suffer because of our commitment to the Lord, God will give us the grace and strength to remain faithful to the one who gives us peace and takes away our suffering. 

 

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