While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”  But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.  Matthew 27:19, 20

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”  All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”  Matthew 27:24, 25.

Strange things are happening in Jerusalem.  Listen, “…the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.”  Execute Jesus, the promised Messiah?  They, who were looked up to as the religious leaders of the Jews hated Jesus with a passion. Release the convicted felon Barnabas and kill the sinless one? How could this be?  They were the masters of all the Scriptures, including the prophecies that the Messiah would appear at the proper time.  When he did appear, they did not simply ignore him, they determined to kill him!

I shudder as I try to understand this.  The Jewish leaders should have bowed before the Messiah in humble adoration and proclaimed that Jesus Christ, the Messiah is among them at that very moment.  The Scriptures of which they were official interpreter described the coming of the Messiah perfectly.  Instead of exalting God’s Messiah, in their blind hate they wanted to kill him.  The Romans had no problem with Jesus at this time.

The Jews were not permitted to kill people.  That was the doleful task of the Roman rulers.  Pilate and his wife saw no reason to put Jesus to death.  In fact, his wife had a direct revelation that it was horribly wrong to kill Jesus.  So, Pilate was in a dilemma.  He bowed to the wishes of the leaders of Jews whose favor he sought.  I am amazed.  The Roman rulers recognized Jesus while the Jewish leaders wanted him dead.

I live in a world that does not recognize Jesus Christ as the Savior, the only Savior of all mankind. Of course, our cultures admire some aspects of Jesus but by not receiving Him as the Son of God, they do what the Jewish rulers did, kill him.

Praise God, millions of people believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the number is growing.  Those who have not given their hearts to Jesus are left without hope.  The Kingdom of God is among us, including every believer no matter what culture or social class.  The miracle is happening this very moment.