It was early on Friday morning of Holy Week.
The religious leaders had arrested Jesus, tried him, and found him worthy of death. But execution was forbidden for Jews. So they took him to stand trial before the Roman governor, Pilate.
After questioning Jesus, Pilate was convinced of his innocence. However, the religious leaders had aroused the crowds, and Pilate was afraid of them. “What shall I do with Jesus?” Pilate asked the people. “Crucify him!” they cried.
Pilate ignored his own convictions and his wife’s pleas for Jesus’s life. He washed his hands of any guilt and released Barabbas. He was “the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one [the crowds] asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will” (Luke 23:25).
What a chilling thought, that the holy Son of God would be surrendered to the will of an angry mob.
My Soul is Sorrowful unto Death – James Tissot – Brooklyn Museum. – Slide 3 freebibleimages.org
A handwritten message in the margin of my Bible points me back a chapter to Luke 22:42. We see Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane on Thursday night, just hours prior to his trial before Pilate. Hear him pray: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
Think about it. Jesus was able to survive the experience of being surrendered to the will of the crowd because he had already surrendered himself to the will of the Father.
Is this our story as well?
Do you struggle with a need to be in control? Is there anything in your life that you do not want to let go of? This Easter season let the example of King Jesus move you.
If you are a fan of the Mitford novels by Jan Karon you may remember reading of “the prayer that never fails.” It is, “Your will be done.” The Lord is always ready to answer this prayer!
If we have submitted ourselves to the Father’s will we can rest in His loving hands. Surrendered to God, we need not fear anything concerning us, even “the will of the crowd.”
In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
Psalm 56:4
Easter joy to you,
Ginger
The prayer that never fails! So true! Thanks, Ginger! I will share it with Linda and Craig who are visiting us now. We plan to leave for the Grand Canyon and Paige today! It’s a little warmer than when you were here!
Thanks for your comment, Deanne. Greet Craig and Linda for us and have a wonderful time at Grand Canyon! I checked your weather earlier today——I’d say it’s a little warmer than when we were there! Ninety-two degrees! Will you hike down into the canyon?
Ginger