As horrendous as the crucifixion was, I want you to think about something that happened BEFORE any of the wiping, scourging, beating. Those are all awful, right?
But think of the trial with Pilate. Now Pilate is a big wig. He’s appointed by Caesar as governor of the Judeo (that’s a big region) but it remember Judeo is not prestigious, it’s mostly a military assignment . . . to keep peace. Still historians have him as one of the longest serving governors in that area (about 10 years).
Standing in front of Pilate is a trouble maker from a hick town up north, whom the religious leaders hate. Pilate is probably bored with all of this. I want you to focus on the trial, but to think of it differently.
Instead of Pilate accusing Jesus of being a king, think of Pilate accusing Jesus about you. Imagine that Jesus is being put to death because he is accused of knowing you. Not anyone else, not a group of people . . . just you.
Imagine Pilate questioning Jesus. Pilate asks Jesus, “Do you know this person?” (That’s you) And Jesus responds, “Know them? Not only do I know them, but I love them (you).” Now think about this, Jesus is on trial because he is accused of knowing you, and all he would have to do is to say that he doesn’t know you.
Pilate continues, “We have proof here of all the bad things (you) have done in your entire life.” Then Pilate goes on to announce everything you ever did wrong, everything you ever thought or said. Pilate then asks if Jesus wants to be associated with you, for all he has to do is something like, “I don’t know him/her (you).”
Jesus responds, “I know. I was there.”
And Pilate asks Jesus, “Don’t you understand? We are about to strip you naked, whip until you bleed, beat you until every muscle in your body cries out in pain, then pound nails into you flesh and hang you on lumber until your body can’t inhale enough air and you slower suffocate until your last breath. And all you have to do is to say that you don’t know this person.”
And Jesus looks Pilate in the eyes and says, “Not only do I know them; not only do I love them (you) but I am IN-LOVE with them (you) and I am willing to die before I ever would stop loving them (you).
And that’s what today is about . . .