In The Word
Read: Luke 22:63-23:12
63 Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking Him and beating Him, 64 and they blindfolded Him and were asking Him, saying, “Prophesy, who is the one who hit You?” 65 And they were saying many other things against Him, blaspheming.
Jesus before the Sanhedrin
66 When it was day, the Council of elders of the people assembled, both chief priests and scribes, and they led Him away to their council chamber, saying, 67 “If You are the Christ, tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe;68 and if I ask a question, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 And they all said, “Are You the Son of God, then?” And He said to them, “Yes, I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further need do we have of testimony? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.”
Jesus before Pilate
23 Then the whole body of them got up and brought Him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”3 So Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And He answered him and said, “It is as you say.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” 5 But they kept on insisting, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching all over Judea, starting from Galilee even as far as this place.”
6 When Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was in Jerusalem at that time.
Jesus before Herod
8 Now Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him. 9 And he questioned Him at some length; but He answered him nothing. 10 And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there, accusing Him vehemently. 11 And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate. 12 Now Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for before they had been enemies with each other.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Yahshua was placed on trial before many Jewish religious leaders and two Roman rulers: Pilate and Herod. Each man was evil, yet they carried out their injustice in different ways. The Jewish leaders mocked and beat Yahshua. Pilate mistrusted the intentions of the Jewish leaders and knew Yahshua to be innocent, yet he would not risk his reputation to protect the Lord. Herod simply sought to be entertained by a show of miracles. Each of these men rejected Yahshua as the promised Savior sent by God to save mankind. They mocked, ridiculed, humiliated, and beat Him. Yet Yahshua refused to be deterred from carrying out His mission as given by the Father.
Many in our day have heard about Jesus and have been offered the opportunity to believe in Him and follow Him. Some have accepted Him and some have rejected Him. Though people may refuse to believe in Yahshua, you should not stop sharing the gospel gently and effectively when an opportunity arises. Even more, if they mock, ridicule, or reject you, do not be deterred from the mission of sharing the gospel and making disciples. Jesus warned His disciples that if people persecuted Him, then people would persecute them also (John 15:20).
Have you been sharing the gospel with others? If not, it is time to help others know Yahshua. Have you found opposition from sharing the gospel? If so, find encouragement and new strength today through the Spirit to continue on the mission.