And Pilate said to the Jews, “Behold, your King!” So they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” John 19:14-15.
Today your LORD (יהוה) God (אלהים) says:
If you will keep your heart tuned in to Me, I can guide the events in your life, and I mean every moment of your day. I will put you in just the right place at the right time so the right result comes to pass with it happening so naturally that you are not aware that I am working.
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28.
Cast your cares on Me and I will take care of them with you. Make a habit of being in constant communication with Me. Rather than just going through your day forgetting I am there with and within you every moment, be watching and aware that I am arranging the details in your life to answer your requests and make sure that you do not miss the opportunities I am giving you for reward and for saving and blessing others. Be quick to pick up prompts and act on them.
In our last Life Lesson we left off where Pilate found out that Jesus belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction being from Galilee, so he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was in Jerusalem for the Passover at that time. Luke 23:6-7.
Today we consider the conversation with Herod, but in this conversation Herod did all the talking while Jesus said not a word. But Jesus’ silence had the power and authority in it that Herod’s words were devoid of.
Now Herod was curious about Jesus and had at times searched for Him, but Jesus had never gone to speak with Herod knowing it was useless.
But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man. John 2:24-25.
Just at that time some Pharisees approached, saying to Jesus, “Go away, leave here, for Herod wants to kill You.” And He said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I reach My goal.’ Nevertheless I must journey on today and tomorrow and the next day; for it cannot be that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem.” Luke 13:31-32.
Foxes are sly, they can gnaw away at things in the night without people being aware of their inroads until the entire structure falls. Herod had been attracted to John the Baptist but ended up having John’s head cut off at his birthday party out of lust and pride.
“Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, while our vineyards are in blossom.” Song of Songs 2:15.
Herod, however, 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 miracle performed by Him. Herod liked spectacular shows and parties, he had gladiator fights and races at his palace in Caesarea. So he took the opportunity to question Jesus at some length; but Jesus, to his disappointment, which then turned to anger, answered him nothing.
Herod did not have a heart turned to Me, in fact, he had a heart of pride that was full of hate for Me and his fellow man. He was ambitious and lustful. I sent him the best, including John the Baptist and Jesus, but he continued in his own way of rebellion taken captive by the devil to do his will. Later, after I had raised Jesus from the dead, Herod then went after the disciples, having James beheaded and trying to do the same to Peter. But the Church was not about to lose another pillar to Herod and I was authorized by their Spirit-filled prayers to work wonders, sending an angel to bring Peter out of the prison and escape Herod’s hand.
Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them. And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword. When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. Now it was during the days of Unleavened Bread. When he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out before the people. So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God. Acts 12:1-5.
Never underestimate corporate prayer done in the Spirit based on My Word. It will shake a city, bring miracles of healing, open prison gates, shake off the chains, and set My people free.
And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:31.
But to continue with Peter imprisoned by Herod awaiting his death sentence: Herod thought he had the power, but he did not. The devil’s power is limited and was authorized in the earth by Adam but you can easily take him down when you release your faith in My Word. My Word crushed his head and continues to do so.
On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” Acts 12:6-11.
Herod was so angry at Peter’s escape that ordered the guards that had been stationed to guard Peter to be executed. Acts 12:19. He then went up to spend some time in his palace at Caesarea.
Herod was incorrigible in his acts of violence against My people. Soon after the escape of Peter, on an appointed day, Herod, having put on his royal apparel, took his seat on the rostrum and began delivering an address to the people of Tyre and Sidon who had gathered before him with whom he was very angry. To win his favor again, the people kept crying out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” My angel struck him and he was eaten by worms and died. There comes a point when a leader entrusted with the lives of men goes too far and there is no possible chance of repentance. Herod finally filled up the cup and justice fell. Wrath and anger generally stem from pride and they are ugly things, but the sinner holds them tight.
Be careful how you live, you know not the day or the hour. Blessed is the one I find busy about My affairs. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, do not give Satan a chance to establish a stronghold in your life.
But I think you see why Jesus stayed silent before Herod. He did not want to participate in any kind of exchange with Herod that would have put Herod in a deeper depth of hell than he had already earned by his life. He was giving him a change to repent. How you treat the pearls of Heaven will hold you to stricter account. Those who read the Bible with scorn and tear it apart would be better off not reading it for it will just cause greater evil to take over their lives.
So they went to the king in the court, but they had deposited the scroll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and they reported all the words to the king. Then the king sent Jehudi to get the scroll, and he took it out of the chamber of Elishama the scribe. And Jehudi read it to the king as well as to all the officials who stood beside the king. Now the king was sitting in the winter house in the ninth month, with a fire burning in the brazier before him. When Jehudi had read three or four columns, the king cut it with a scribe’s knife and threw it into the fire that was in the brazier, until all the scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the brazier. Jeremiah 36:20-24.
The chief priests and the scribes who entered Herod’s presence with Jesus did not follow Jesus’ example of silence but instead took it as an opportunity to accuse Jesus vehemently. The composure and goodness in Jesus in the face of all this and his silence to Herod’s questioning was powerful and humiliated Herod, so to recover some semblance of power over Jesus, Herod, with his soldiers, treated Jesus with contempt and mocked Him, asserting their superior power as they dressed Him in a gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate.
Now Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for before they had been enemies with each other, vying for favors from Rome.
Now Pilate, Herod, the chief priests, scribes and Pharisees were forming an unholy alliance against Jesus. Never side with worldly and proud unbelievers because you think they can obtain a favorable result for your intentions.
And what was Pilate’s response now that he and Herod had both found Jesus not guilty of anything deserving the death penalty? Did he release him? No, Pilate wanted to have favor with the Sanhedrin so they would not cause trouble for him with Caesar.
So Pilate then took Jesus and scourged Him, hoping that would appease the Jews and they would give up demanding the death sentence. But acts of violence encourage more violence and the soldiers guarding the prisoners went even further in cruelty than commanded. They twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on Jesus’ head, and put a purple robe on Him; and they began to come up to Him and say, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and to give Him slaps in the face.
Jesus kept silence and did not retaliate for by His scourging you were healed and by His crowning with thorns all evil thoughts were atoned for as if they had never been. As well as the curse of the thorns and nettles that would fight with man’s harvesting crops from the earth.
“Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up, and instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up, and it will be a memorial to the LORD, for an everlasting sign which will not be cut off.” Isaiah 55:13.
Thinking the horrible scourging would placate the chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees, Pilate came out again and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you so that you may know that I find no guilt in Him.” Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the Man!”
His appearance was marred more than any man and His form more than the sons of men. Thus He will sprinkle many nations, kings will shut their mouths on account of Him; for what had not been told them they will see, and what they had not heard they will understand. Isaiah 52:14-15.
But when the chief priests and the officers saw Him, they had no remorse, instead they cried out saying, “Crucify, crucify!” Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for I find no guilt in Him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by that law He ought to die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God.” John 19:6-7.
When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. Pilate did not believe in Me but was superstitious and feared the “gods” of Rome. He carried many charms and had idols in his home. As he entered into the Praetorium again and had Jesus come back in as well. He said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. John 18:8-9.
He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth. By oppression and judgment He was taken away; and as for His generation, who considered that He was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due? Isaiah 53:7-8.
Pilate felt anger at the silence of Jesus, he did not understand it, so he answered proudly, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?”
Jesus answered with the truth, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” John 18:9-11.
Pilate was stuck in a hard place, and I understand that, but he still did wrong to condemn Jesus to death based on the evidence before him, but he was not guilty of intentional premeditated murder as the members of the Sanhedrin were. But both were guilty.
However, there is a much greater truth here that Pilate would have had to see in the Spirit to understand. Jesus was guilty and had a sentence of condemnation on Him but it was from Me and not from man. Jesus had NEVER sinned or allowed the devil any place in Him, but from the hour in the Garden of Gethsemane when He had accepted every sin ever committed from Adam to the last person born into the earth, and permitted Me to account all your sins to Him and give you His righteousness, I accepted Him as the sacrifice for your sins—He is the Lamb for the burnt offering that I Myself provided as foretold by Abraham on Mt. Moriah many years before. He had every sin on Him and was about to pay your judgment for murdering your eternal life and take your sentence as His own of going to the dust of death. With all your sins accepted into His flesh, for Adam sinned in the flesh, He had to die for the spiritual law of justice is that the wages of sin is DEATH. The double death.
We ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our shalom fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. Isaiah 53:4-6.
My prophet Isaiah not only saw the physical part of the crucifixion of Jesus but also what was taking place in the Spirit.
Pilate wanted to release Jesus but he was too weak to stand up and do what was right. Pilate made efforts to release Jesus, but the Jews cried out saying, “If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar.” John 18:11-12.
This answer from the crowd put great fear of Caesar getting this report from the Jewish people and causing his removal from office and perhaps his death. Therefore when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called the Stone Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. He tried once more to get the blame on the people and off himself, and he said to the Jews, “Behold, your King!” So they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” John 19:13-15.
When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.” And all the people said, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!” Then he released Barabbas for them and handed Jesus over to be crucified. Matthew 27:24-25
The more you talk, the more likely you will cross the line and say the wrong thing; but if you are wise, you will speak less and with restraint. Proverbs 10:19.
I love you. Jesus wept over Jerusalem because they failed to recognize the time of their visitation. For thousands of years, since the Garden of Eden, the world was waiting, all creation was groaning for, the Messiah to come and set you free from the curse of the law, but when He came, they did not recognize Him, though He fulfilled every Scripture about Him. All He did was good works and went about healing all were oppressed by the devil. They hated Him without cause and rejected Him as Lord. But for you who have been thrilled to receive Him and be set free from sin and eternal death, the Son of Righteousness has risen with healing in His hands and you who believe are in His hand. You have nothing to fear. Do not miss the time of your visitation. And remember, sometimes the best conversation you can have with another is silence. Be like the wise man, taciturn.
The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:24-30.