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Mark 15:2-5; Matthew 27:11-14; Luke 23:1-12; John 18:28-40; Mark 15:6-15; Matthew 27:15-26; Luke 23:13-25; John 19:1-16; Mark 15:16-20; Matthew 27:27-31<\/strong><\/span> Matthew:<\/strong> The Passion readings today are always tough\u2026\u00a0 they bring home the reality of what Jesus did for each of us.\u00a0 Tomorrow\u2019s readings are tougher.\u00a0 An image of Pilate asking the crowd in verse 22: \u201c\u201dBut if I release Barabbas,\u201d Pilate asked them, \u201cwhat should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n John:<\/strong> Today in John chapter 18 verse 38 we come across what many say is the most ironic question asked in all of history, as Jesus stands before Pilate: \u201c\u201dWhat is truth?\u201d Pilate asked.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Why is this ironic?\u00a0 Because Pilate asks what is truth, when Truth is standing right before him!\u00a0 Jesus is Truth!\u00a0 And Pilate couldn\u2019t see it.\u00a0 Below is a painting from 1890 by Russian artist Nikolay Gay titled \u201cQuod Est Veritas?\u201d Christ and Pilate. This is a fascinating painting!\u00a0 At first glance I do not like it at all, because Jesus is painted so darkly.\u00a0 But, maybe that\u2019s the point of this painting. Pilate is asking What is Truth? \u2013 and he cannot see the very Truth right before him! Wow. . .\u00a0 think there are people in our world today who see Jesus so dimly, like Pilate does in this painting?\u00a0 I pray you and I see Jesus much more clearly, and much more as the Light! What is truth. This is a question that is still asked today of you and me.\u00a0 What is truth?\u00a0 Who is truth?<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s John readings titled \u201cJesus before Pilate: Part I\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span> and \u201cPart II\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video: <\/strong>Today\u2019s readings remind me of the song \u201cHow Great Thou Art,\u201d sung here live\u00a0by Donnie McClurkin:<\/span><\/p>\n
~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~<\/span><\/em>
~ Listen to today\u2019s Scripture with <\/em>The ESV Bible<\/em><\/span> ~<\/p>\n
I read an interesting commentary on verse 24 today: \u201cPilate saw that he wasn\u2019t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, \u201cI am innocent of the blood of this man. The responsibility is yours!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Tyndale\u2019s commentary said that even though Pilate verbally said the \u201cresponsibility is yours\u201d and even though he washed his hands \u2013 his responsibility remained.\u00a0 He was essentially afraid about losing his job, because there was the threat to report him to Caesar (John 19:12).\u00a0 Pilate was the Roman governor from AD 26-36 for Judea and Samaria.\u00a0 One of his main duties was to simply \u201ckeep the peace\u201d in this outlying area of the Roman Empire \u2013 and to do \u201cwhatever was necessary\u201d to maintain the \u201cpeace\u201d\u2026\u00a0 Below is a painting by Mattia Preti from 1663 of Pilate trying to wash his hands of guilt\u2026\u00a0 Pilate seems to be looking at the viewer in this painting with a \u201cWho are you looking at?\u201d expression\u2026\u00a0 Who are we looking at here?<\/span><\/p>\n