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THIS WEEK’S BIBLE INSIGHTS ARE BY:
Ruth Conlon and are based on Mark 15 (NIV)
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE ON THIS WEEK’S MAJOR THEME:
Matthew 27:11-61, John 19:1-42
1 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. 2 “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 3 The chief priests accused him of many things. 4 So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.” 5 But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.
and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.
6 Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested.
9 “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate, 10 knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief 11 priests had handed Jesus over to him. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. 12 “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them. 13 “Crucify him!” they shouted. 14 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
7 A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. 8 The crowd came up
15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified.
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Sunday August 10 - Delivered to Pilate
“Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “You have said so,” Jesus replied Mark 15:2
Jesus stood before Pilate, falsely accused, yet he responded with remarkable composure and truth. Pilate’s question reflects a pivotal moment: Jesus is described as a king, but not the kind of king the world expects. His kingdom is not of earthly power but of sacrificial love and eternal truth.
The false accusation shows that even innocent individuals can be falsely accused and condemned. Despite facing immense pressure, Jesus remained steadfast in his beliefs and his goal of dying on the cross. Despite recognising Jesus’ innocence, Pilate succumbed to the crowd’s demands. This shows the limitations of human justice.
In all this, Jesus remained calm, resting in God’s plan. In our own lives, we may face accusations or misunderstandings. How do we respond? Jesus’ calm trust in God’s purpose reminds us to rest in God’s plan, even when circumstances seem unjust. His silence was not weakness but strength, rooted in his mission.
Today, reflect on how you respond when falsely accused or misunderstood. Ask God for the grace to remain faithful and trust his purposes, even when the world misjudges you.
Lord, help us to trust your purposes when we face challenges or misunderstandings. May our lives reflect your truth and love. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY