”If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me.“
John 15:18-21 NLT
Having been betrayed by Judas, Jesus was brought before Pilate. Pilate, after interrogating Jesus, perceived that Jesus was turned over to him, not because Jesus had done wrong, but because the priests were jealous of Him.
“Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.“
Matthew 27:15-18 NKJV
Pilate’s attempts to be able to release Jesus were thwarted when the people cried out for Barabbas to be released rather than Jesus.
“But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!” Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”“
Matthew 27:20-22 NKJV
When Pilate saw that his efforts to release Jesus were futile, he “washed his hands” of Jesus’ blood, had Him scourged, and delivered Jesus to be crucified.
“When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.” And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.” Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.“
Matthew 27:24-26 NKJV
Now, we know why the religious leaders rejected Jesus: They were jealous of Him and never even gave Him a chance. Indeed, earlier on Jesus had confronted them about their unwillingness to receive His words.
(Jesus speaking)”[Yes] I know that you are Abraham's offspring; yet you plan to kill Me, because My word has no entrance (makes no progress, does not find any place) in you.“
John 8:37 AMPC
In fact, a great many of the religious leaders rejected Jesus‘ claims concerning who He was.
Sadly, even many of the religious leaders who did believe in Him, were afraid to acknowledge Him, because of fear of being put out of the synagogue.
“Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.“
John 12:42-43 NKJV
But back to the case of Pilate, why did he—knowing Jesus was innocent—condemn Him to death?
History suggests that Pilate may have already been on shaky ground with Caesar; and, the people threatened to alert Caesar, if they didn’t get their way.
“From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.””
John 19:12 NKJV
So, it would appear that Pilate’s position was more important to him than letting an innocent Man go free.
Indeed, fear of losing their position also factored into the priests’ and Pharisees’ resolve to have Jesus killed after the resurrection of Lazarus.
“Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.””
John 11:45-48 NKJV
In our opening scripture, we see Jesus warning His disciples that the world—having rejected Him—would also reject them because of Him.
With the world system, and even some professing Christians, rejecting and persecuting those truly following Christ, those who value their position in society, more than their relationship with the Lord, will eventually fall from their steadfastness.
Fellow Believer, even now we are seeing how the world tries to persecute, intimidate, and “cancel” those who cling to following the Lord Jesus.
Tragically, some Christians, have acquiesced and yielded to the threat of rejection and persecution, by compromising their beliefs. Yes, many have already fallen away from Christ, and many more will fall away because of pressure from the world system. We do well to take this warning from Jesus to heart, lest we also fall away:
““Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.“
Matthew 10:34-39 NKJV
Tomorrow we’ll look at a parable that brings all this together.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
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