Jesus Devotional - Day 20
Day Twenty
Jesus: Real, Relevant, and Radical!
The Last Word
John 19:19-22(NIV) Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. 20 Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. 21 The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”
Isaiah 53:3(NIV) He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.
The volatile relationship that existed between Pilate and the Jewish people, especially the Jewish leaders, is clearly seen throughout their interactions. Saying they did not like each other is a gross understatement of epic proportions. “Loathing” would be a much more appropriate term; two groups bound by nothing but their hatred for each other. This is clear during Jesus’ trial, with the back-and-forth exchanges. The angry, hostile, charged atmosphere is clearly evident. We know Pilate did not want to crucify Jesus, but he ultimately gave in because of the Jewish leaders’ threats. However, Pilate had one more trick up his sleeve. He knew he couldn’t avoid ordering Jesus’ crucifixion, but he wanted to have the last word.
Crucifixion was more than just a punishment for criminals; it served as a way for Rome to demonstrate its absolute authority. “We are in charge, and if you cross us, you will end up on a cross.” Therefore, it was common to have a sign displaying the name of the person being crucified and their crime. In this way, people could “read it and weep,” if you will. Pilate had the sign inscribed in three languages: Aramaic, the local language; Greek, the most common language; and Latin, the official language of the Roman Empire. This ensured that anyone who could read would be able to understand it. As a passive-aggressive move, Pilate had the sign read: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”
This was neither a sign of respect nor an acknowledgment of Jesus as King. It was outright mockery and a final insult to the Jewish leaders. That’s why they approached Pilate and demanded that the sign be changed to, “This man claimed to be the king of the Jews.” Pilate refused. This was the ultimate “diss” toward Jesus. For Pilate, it was a way to deliver one more jab to the Jewish leaders. Jesus was rejected, despised, held in low esteem, and given a mockery of a title. All the collusion, hostility, and evil collaboration now finally came to fruition with Jesus on the cross. It might seem they would have the last word. Have you ever heard the phrase, “famous last words”? It definitely fits here. Luke writes in the following manner in Acts 4:25-28 (NLT)
“You spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying, ‘Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans? 26 The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’ 27 In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. 28 But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will.”
He reiterates what Peter said in His sermon at Pentecost: Acts 2:23(NLT) “But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him.” All the plotting and conspiring. All the anger and brutality. All the mockery and rejection. The betrayal and insults. Through it all, God has the last word. God uses the hatred and envy of the Jewish leaders to accomplish His purpose. God uses Herod’s mockery to reveal the Messiah. God uses the brutality of the Roman soldiers to fulfill prophecy. God uses Pilate’s sarcasm as His first tool of evangelism. Jesus, the King of the Jews, is displayed for everyone to see and understand in their own languages. The final word belongs to the Father!
Acts 2:36(NLT) “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”
Knowing that my Father has the last word, brings me incredible comfort and peace, regardless of what I may be going through or facing. No matter who opposes me or what conspirators might be scheming, my Father is aware. No matter what illegal or evil desires are being birthed, my Father knows. The arrogance of the human heart is on display when we think we can plan without the Father’s knowledge. How foolish do those who conspired against Jesus look now? God uses a method of execution as a means for redemption. God employs the evil hearts of hateful people to demonstrate His pure, unending love. He also uses unbridled mockery to declare Jesus as King! They thought they had Jesus where they wanted Him, but He was right where the Father intended Him to be.
1 Corinthians 1:22-24(NLT) “So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. 24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.”
Is there anything in your life that your Father is not aware of? Has anything happened to you that your Father does not know about? Your Father is aware of all assignments against you. Just follow Jesus’ example by doing what the Father tells you to do. When evil seems to have triumphed, remember that your Father’s foolishness outsmarts the wisest of all plans. When it is all said and done, you will find that your Heavenly Father has the last word.
Prayer:
Jesus: Real, Relevant, and Radical!
The Last Word
John 19:19-22(NIV) Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. 20 Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. 21 The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”
Isaiah 53:3(NIV) He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.
The volatile relationship that existed between Pilate and the Jewish people, especially the Jewish leaders, is clearly seen throughout their interactions. Saying they did not like each other is a gross understatement of epic proportions. “Loathing” would be a much more appropriate term; two groups bound by nothing but their hatred for each other. This is clear during Jesus’ trial, with the back-and-forth exchanges. The angry, hostile, charged atmosphere is clearly evident. We know Pilate did not want to crucify Jesus, but he ultimately gave in because of the Jewish leaders’ threats. However, Pilate had one more trick up his sleeve. He knew he couldn’t avoid ordering Jesus’ crucifixion, but he wanted to have the last word.
Crucifixion was more than just a punishment for criminals; it served as a way for Rome to demonstrate its absolute authority. “We are in charge, and if you cross us, you will end up on a cross.” Therefore, it was common to have a sign displaying the name of the person being crucified and their crime. In this way, people could “read it and weep,” if you will. Pilate had the sign inscribed in three languages: Aramaic, the local language; Greek, the most common language; and Latin, the official language of the Roman Empire. This ensured that anyone who could read would be able to understand it. As a passive-aggressive move, Pilate had the sign read: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”
This was neither a sign of respect nor an acknowledgment of Jesus as King. It was outright mockery and a final insult to the Jewish leaders. That’s why they approached Pilate and demanded that the sign be changed to, “This man claimed to be the king of the Jews.” Pilate refused. This was the ultimate “diss” toward Jesus. For Pilate, it was a way to deliver one more jab to the Jewish leaders. Jesus was rejected, despised, held in low esteem, and given a mockery of a title. All the collusion, hostility, and evil collaboration now finally came to fruition with Jesus on the cross. It might seem they would have the last word. Have you ever heard the phrase, “famous last words”? It definitely fits here. Luke writes in the following manner in Acts 4:25-28 (NLT)
“You spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying, ‘Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans? 26 The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’ 27 In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. 28 But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will.”
He reiterates what Peter said in His sermon at Pentecost: Acts 2:23(NLT) “But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him.” All the plotting and conspiring. All the anger and brutality. All the mockery and rejection. The betrayal and insults. Through it all, God has the last word. God uses the hatred and envy of the Jewish leaders to accomplish His purpose. God uses Herod’s mockery to reveal the Messiah. God uses the brutality of the Roman soldiers to fulfill prophecy. God uses Pilate’s sarcasm as His first tool of evangelism. Jesus, the King of the Jews, is displayed for everyone to see and understand in their own languages. The final word belongs to the Father!
Acts 2:36(NLT) “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”
Knowing that my Father has the last word, brings me incredible comfort and peace, regardless of what I may be going through or facing. No matter who opposes me or what conspirators might be scheming, my Father is aware. No matter what illegal or evil desires are being birthed, my Father knows. The arrogance of the human heart is on display when we think we can plan without the Father’s knowledge. How foolish do those who conspired against Jesus look now? God uses a method of execution as a means for redemption. God employs the evil hearts of hateful people to demonstrate His pure, unending love. He also uses unbridled mockery to declare Jesus as King! They thought they had Jesus where they wanted Him, but He was right where the Father intended Him to be.
1 Corinthians 1:22-24(NLT) “So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. 24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.”
Is there anything in your life that your Father is not aware of? Has anything happened to you that your Father does not know about? Your Father is aware of all assignments against you. Just follow Jesus’ example by doing what the Father tells you to do. When evil seems to have triumphed, remember that your Father’s foolishness outsmarts the wisest of all plans. When it is all said and done, you will find that your Heavenly Father has the last word.
Prayer:
- Thank the Lord for His amazing wisdom.
- Pray for God’s wisdom to fill your life.
- If you are hurting, pray and thank the Lord that His purpose will ultimately prevail in your life.
- Ask the Lord to reveal to you what you need to learn during difficult times.
- Pray that, amidst a world in turmoil, the church will persist in preaching Christ crucified.
Posted in Jesus Devotional