DATE POSTED: Tuesday, March 26, 2024, and I was blessed to be at Advent Christian Village, Dowling Park, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE Living Bible (TLB) IS FOUND IN Luke 23:15-21

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us—nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. I will therefore have him scourged with leaded thongs and release him.
But now a mighty roar rose from the crowd as with one voice they shouted. “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” (Barabbas was in prison for starting an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.) 
Pilate argued with them, for he wanted to release Jesus. 
But they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: I believe it is extremely challenging for most of us today to even think of crucifixion. Perhaps if the crime was hideous enough, some of us might agree to capital punishment that leads to death, but the charges against Jesus was not hideous, nor extreme. This ‘Holy Week’ is a time for us to think about what happened to our Lord, so this Scripture seems timely, yet no easier for us to understand why such punishment seemed necessary, or appropriate, for our Lord. Notice that Herod nor Pilate saw any fault with Jesus, especially nothing that would warrant His crucifixion. But as we look at this Biblical story, we must recognize that the people in this crowd who pushed for Jesus’s crucifixion were made up of folk just like you and me, together with our family, friends and coworkers. So I wonder if we should try to place where we would be in this crowd, if this was happening today. When a crowd is incited like this, there are some who lead the crowd and incite the people to become more militant. There are some in the crowd who may feel a little unsure that they are doing the right thing, so they may stand towards the back of the crowd unsure when, or if, they will join in the riot. After all, the rioters could have been arrested for their out-of-control behavior. But also notice that there were many who may not have been a part of this crowd, for whatever reason. Included in this absentee group may have been followers of Jesus who were gathered in deep prayer for the safety and ultimate sound decision on the fate of Jesus. The remainder of this group were probably folk who couldn’t care less what happened. This latter group might be similar to a group today who knows that Jesus loves them and cares for them, but have chosen to remain uncommitted to serving Him, attending church, or even talking about Godly things in the presence of others. These are the folk who stand by and accept everything that Satan throws at them, and/or their family, community, or leaders and perhaps even accuse some as being deserving of such evil acts. Neighbors could adore, love, worship and share Jesus with everyone, but don’t dare step into their yard to tell them what they need to hear. This last group was probably comfortable with hearing that Pilate gave in to the crowd and ordered the crucifixion of an innocent man, because they just couldn’t be bothered to get involved. Where would you be if this was the scene happening down at your courthouse today? Will you fight, or stand firm, to the end for the One who surrendered His very own life so that your sin might be forgiven, allowing you access into heaven? Are you actively involved in a relationship with Jesus so that your heart may be touched, and your misdeeds pointed out to you? God detailed His plan for us – His design for a life that is holy and pure before Him. Let’s be devoted to daily reading of His Word so that we might be reminded of God’s will for us, and that our sins might be brought to light. Let’s be ready to seek Jesus and His righteousness, to ask for His forgiveness of our sin; direct us in the path that He has set out for us; and be ready to promote the life and character of Jesus through the life that we live.

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Lord Jesus, thank You for continuing on to complete the work You did at Calvary for our benefit, especially after hearing the very people rant and rage that You had created, and for whom You were about to make an ultimate sacrifice for. Often when we are finding fault with someone, we will refuse to be in their presence, not want to hear their loving advice, nor have anything good to say about them. This was obviously the case of those condemning You to die, but it seems ever so evident that Your people today do the same thing. Please Lord, reignite a fire within us that will open our eyes to Your love and Your sacrifice. May we have a renewed desire to be with You daily and at church services where other believers aim to do the same thing. May Your Word become our daily companion, our guide book for life, and our place of reference for every decision in life. Please help us to work out any fault that we find in You, so that our relationship may remain pure and undefiled. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby your home and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!