Christ Church Daily Devotion March 28 2024

Jesus is mocked and beaten by the guards. He is led before the chief priests and teachers of the law, who ask if he is the Messiah. Jesus responds that he is, and they accuse him of subverting their nation and opposing taxes to Caesar. Pilate finds no basis for charges against Jesus but sends him to Herod. After being questioned, Jesus is sent back to Pilate and eventually crucified. The speaker reflects on their dedication to Jesus and urges listeners to change their lives to be devoted followers. Welcome to Christ Church's Daily Devotion for March 28, 2024. Today we will be reading from Luke chapter 22 verse 63 through chapter 23 verse 5. The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating Him. They blindfolded Him and demanded prophecy. Who hit you? And they said many other insulting things to Him. At daybreak, the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. If you are the Messiah, they said, tell us. Jesus answered, If I tell you, you will not believe me. And if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God. They all asked, Are you then the Son of God? He replied, You say that I am. Then they said, Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from His own lips. Then the whole assembly rose and led Him off to Pilate. And then they began to accuse Him, saying, We have found the man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, the King. So Pilate asked Jesus, Are you the King of the Jews? You have said so, Jesus replied. Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, I find no basis for a charge against this man. But they insisted, He serves up the people all over Judea by His teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here. This scripture deals with Jesus being accused of breaking the law and His trial. There were three basic charges that the religious leaders came up with. One, Jesus is misleading their nation and causing agitation. Two, Jesus tells them not to give to Caesar. That, of course, was not true. Three, Jesus claims to be a king which made a political threat when brought before Pilate. Pilate did not feel that he was a threat to the Roman Empire. He rejected their threats. When realizing that Jesus was from Galilee, he sent him to Herod to deal with the problem. Since Herod, who was the ruler over Galilee, was in town. Herod was curious and wanted Jesus to do miracles. After much questioning with Jesus not responding, Herod sent him back to Pilate, who caved to the pressure of the screaming crowds. The trial and crucifixion then followed. During Lent, I have thought about whether I would have been a Jesus follower or a screaming member of the crowd. Of course, I want to think I would have been a follower. Let's think about our dedication to Jesus. Is it because we want Jesus to do something for us and provide miracles? Do we hesitate to be all in because our way of life and how we spend our time do not match because being the hands and feet of Jesus? Might we have to sacrifice? Today's personal worship option for you is, Dear God, help us change our lives so that we are living as your devoted followers. Help us grow our faith and deeply appreciate the sacrifice that you made for us. Amen.