July 7 – What is Your Charge Against This Man?

Jesus' trial before Caiaphas ended in the early hours of the morning. Then he was taken to the headquarters of the Roman governor. His accusers didn't go inside because it would defile them, and they wouldn't be allowed to celebrate the Passover. So Pilate, the governor, went out to them and asked, "What is your charge against this man?" 
"We wouldn't have handed him over to you if he weren't a criminal!" they retorted. 
"Then take him away and judge him by your own law," Pilate told them. 
"Only the Romans are permitted to execute someone," the Jewish leaders replied. John 18:28-31 NLT

For what crime do you want to punish Jesus? Is it that He offended you...or that you know you've offended Him by your actions and you want Him removed from your life, from your midst? That may have been how some of the Jewish people felt. Convicted of their sin. Just do away with that man and the sin will go away. Right? Wrong. Sin only goes away through repentance and forgiveness. Washed away by the blood of Jesus. Will punishment for some crime do that? No. But Jesus death on the cross ironically did just that. No sin in Him, yet He provided forgiveness of our sin. One death for life for all. Eternal life.  

RSVP: Jesus gave the ultimate invitation--Heaven. Eternal life with Him. How will you respond to Him today? Will you share this invitation with others? You can't respond for them. They will have to RSVP for themselves.

 Prayer ~ Jesus, it is in You that we have redemption through Your blood, the forgiveness of sins...Colossians 1:14. Please forgive me today for my sin today...selfishness. Help me to be more considerate of others and live in a way that is pleasing to You.

  © 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.