God Knows…When I Wonder if Anybody Loves Me – Part 2
After questioning Jesus, Pilate wants to let Jesus go because He is innocent. But it’s not what the crowd wants. Angry voices shout “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.” This gives Pilate an idea. Herod is the ruler of Galilee. He can deal with this mess. Herod has heard a lot about Jesus. Interested, He asks Jesus many questions. But he loses his temper when Jesus does not perform a miracle on demand. Herod sends Jesus back to Pilate.
It is the custom to set a prisoner free for Passover. Pilate picks the worst criminal he can think of—Barabbas—a thief, political rebel, murderer. “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus?” Pilate asks. “Barabbas!” the crowd cries. Thinking the question was misunderstood, Pilate says, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” “Barabbas! Barabbas!” they respond. “What then shall I do with Jesus?” The verdict is shouted. “Let Him be crucified!”
The crowd watches as soldiers beat Jesus. A crown of thorns is shoved on His head. The great wooden cross built for Barabbas is put on Jesus’ bleeding shoulders. He staggers and falls. A stranger, Simon of Cyrene, no sooner speaks a word of sympathy than he finds the cross put on his shoulders. When the procession reaches the top of Calvary, blow after blow, the hands and feet of Jesus are nailed to the cross and the soldiers carelessly thump it into place. Jesus neither resists nor complains. Instead He prays for His enemies, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”
Two thieves are crucified with Jesus. “If You’re Christ, save all three of us,” one of them sneers. The other thief, sure that Jesus is the Savior, cries “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Jesus promises that He will.
The End
At noon it becomes dark. Lightning flashes. With His last breath Jesus cries out, “It is finished! Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Jesus dies, and the earth shakes. A soldier comments, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
Why? Why did Jesus come down to Earth, knowing what would happen to Him here? Why did He hang on the cross without complaint? Love for you and me kept Him there. If YOU were the ONLY one on earth who had disobeyed His law of love, He still would have come to rescue you.
Someone loves you. Don’t ever forget it.
Your Story Hour
PO Box 15
Berrien Springs, MI 49103
1-800-987-7879
info@yourstoryhour.org
For more information about this ministry please visit their website YourStoryHour.org or listen to their radio program on OnePlace.com.