Pilate Delivers Jesus to be Crucified

18 But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— 19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will. Luke 23:18–25

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Pilate Delivers Jesus to be Crucified
Jesus has done no evil, but the political positions and places of power are more important. Pilate finds no guilt in him, but he crucifies him nonetheless. He fears Caesar more than he fears God. We are like Pilate in this way. We fear the self made gods of our life. We fear the people in our lives. We forget the living God. We trust in our money and our stuff. We trust in princes and governments. We forget the living God. We love our comfortable lives. We love our places of influence. We forget the living God. The living God does forget you. Jesus remembers you as he goes to the cross. Jesus remembers you this way: he takes your sins and places them upon his own shoulders. He takes your guilt and puts it on his cross. He takes the law and completes it for you. He takes your punishment and bears it for you. He gives you the spoils of this war: forgiveness, life, and salvation. He sends it all to you now. Don't wait. The Holy Spirit delivers them in the preaching of the Word and in the administration of the Sacraments. This is the cross for you.  All glory be to Jesus.