Day 36
The King Who Was Mocked!
Read John 19:1-16
Summary
Pilate had Jesus flogged and the soldiers mocked Him. They pressed a crown of thorns on His head, dressed Him in a purple robe and beat Him with their hands. Here, the King of kings was mocked as a pretender to the Jewish throne.
When Pilate displayed Jesus to the Jewish leaders with the crown of thorns and purple robe, the Jewish mob went wild and cried out for His crucifixion.
Pilate became fearful of the mob. He tried to engage Jesus to find a way out of this dilemma, but Jesus kept silent.
Pilate tried ways and means to release Jesus, but the Jews began to accuse Pilate of being disloyal to Caesar. This threat forced Pilate to give in to the Jews, even when he knew Jesus was innocent.
With expediency, Pilate decided to deliver Jesus for crucifixion as he introduced Jesus to the Jewish mob as their king.
In response, the Jewish leaders declared, “We have no king but Caesar”. This declaration had great spiritual significance. The Jewish leaders were now proclaiming Ceasar as their king. They had not only rejected their Messiah, but also their covenant relationship with God.
Reflect
1. Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent, yet he caved in to the political pressures of the day. Have you ever compromised on your faith due to the social demands of the moment? How can you do better next time?
2. Another important spiritual lesson: Look at how the Jewish leaders hardened their hearts against Jesus and God in gradual succession.
Initially, they rejected Jesus’ claim as the Messiah.
As Jesus grew in popularity, they wanted Him dead.
At Jesus’ trial before Pilate, they were so fixated on killing Jesus that they were willing to declare Caesar (and not Yahweh) as their king (v 15).
In Matthew 27:24-25, when Pilate declared that he was innocent of shedding Jesus’ blood, the Jews readily accepted that responsibility. They declared that any judgement of shedding Jesus’ blood would fall upon them and their children.
Watch
Videos used with permission by Michael Hoff
YouTube.com/@digitaltheologian
www.digitaltheologian.com
Pilate wrestled with the decision, torn between justice and political pressure. Jesus' claim to be the Son of God unsettled him, making him question authority and truth. The Jewish leaders' rejection of Jesus contrasted with his mission of healing and restoration. His suffering invites reflection on faith, sacrifice, and solidarity.
Reflect
3. Look at your spiritual life today. Are you growing in your faith or are you turning more cynical? How can you prevent your heart from gradually hardening against God? (Colossians 3:15-16)
Closing Prayer
Pray for a heart that submits to the Lordship of Jesus in every area of your life. Ask for God’s strength to avoid compromise in the midst of social pressure.
Additional Resources
Gospel of the Kingdom
What is the good news of the Gospel? Jesus' arrival on Earth was a royal announcement. He was there to establish God's Kingdom and change everything.
Listen: Why is John’s Gospel so different? What did Paul know about Jesus? by NT Wright [23:07]