In The Word
Read: Luke 22:63-23:12
63 The men who were holding Jesus in custody began mocking Him and beating Him, 64 and they blindfolded Him and repeatedly asked 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, “So You are the Son of God?” And He said to them, “You say correctly that I am.” 71 And 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 entire assembly of them set out and brought Him before Pilate. 2 And they began to bring charges against Him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” 3 Now Pilate asked Him, saying, “So You are the King of the Jews?” And He answered him and said, “It is as you say.” 4 But Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no grounds for charges in the case of this man.” 5 But they kept on insisting, saying, “He is stirring up the people, teaching all over Judea, starting from Galilee, as far as this place!”
6 Now when Pilate heard this, 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, since he also was in Jerusalem at this time.
Jesus before Herod
8 Now Herod was overjoyed 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 offered him no answer at all. 10 Now the chief priests and the scribes stood there, vehemently charging Him. 11 And Herod, together with his soldiers, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, dressing Him in a brightly shining robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.12 And so Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for previously, they had been enemies toward 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
Yeshua 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 Yeshua. Pilate mistrusted the intentions of the Jewish leaders and knew Yeshua 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 Yeshua as the promised Savior sent by God to save mankind. They mocked, ridiculed, humiliated, and beat Him. Yet Yeshua 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 Yeshua, 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 Yeshua. Have you found opposition from sharing the gospel? If so, find encouragement and new strength today through the Spirit to continue on the mission.