Responsible for the Death of Jesus?

Responsible for the Death of Jesus?

Antonio Ciceri: Ecce Homo (Behold the Man)

What do you think? Are you responsible for Jesus’ death? Your answer is important. It defines whether you are ready for Easter or not.

We aren’t able to receive God’s grace before we have a need for it.
We aren’t ready for Easter before we embrace Good Friday.
In order to do that we need to see that Good Friday’s happenings are for us.
But we aren’t able to do that if we don’t see our part in the crucifixion.

It was customary during the festival for the governor to release to the crowd one prisoner, whomever they might choose.  At that time there was a well-known prisoner named Jesus Barabbas. When the crowd had come together, Pilate asked them, “Whom would you like me to release to you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called Christ?” He knew that the leaders of the people had handed him over because of jealousy.While he was serving as judge, his wife sent this message to him, “Leave that righteous man alone. I’ve suffered much today in a dream because of him.” But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and kill Jesus. 21 The governor said, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” “Barabbas,” they replied.Pilate said, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Crucify him!” But he said, “Why? What wrong has he done?” They shouted even louder, “Crucify him!” Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere and that a riot was starting. So he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I’m innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It’s your problem.” All the people replied, “Let his blood be on us and on our children.” Then he released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus whipped, then handed him over to be crucified. (Matthew 17:15-26, CEB)

Or like the Message says it “We’ll take the blame, we and our children after us.” There’s no way around it. We have Jesus’s blood on our hands. We are to blame for the death of Christ. We are guilty as charged. Lord, have mercy!

But the good news is…
Once we see our part of the crucifixion, we are ready to beg and receive grace.
What Jesus did on the cross was for us. For our sins.
When we die with Jesus, we are ready for Easter.
When we embrace the cross, we are made alive.
When we live Good Friday, we are ready for Easter and resurrection.
Come, Lord Jesus!

 

Gracious God,
We come to you with our bloody hands.
Please, forgive us.
Come and cleanse us inside out.
Thank you for the cross.
Come and change us inside out.
Thank you for the resurrection.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Are you responsible for the death of Christ Jesus?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you ready yourself for Easter!

Giving thanks today for
#251 the cross
#252 the blood of Christ
#253 it’s all done
#254 it’s all grace
#255 the resurrection
#256 the Word of God proving all of us guilty
#257 the good news of Jesus Christ
#258 the tomb is not the end
#259 our bloody hands are washed by the soap of salvation
#260 life with Jesus
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The fifth winner of the Common English Bible softcover edition is Tanya! Congratulations!
Do you want to win a copy of the Common English Bible softcover edition? Just leave a comment and mention that you’d like to win. The winners will be announced on Wednesdays! All these CEB giveaways are possible because I am participating in the Common English Bible Blog tour from Ash Wednesday all the way to Pentecost. This means that I will mostly be using the Common English Bible (CEB) on my blog posts. Let’s check out this fresh new Bible translation!
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Image courtesy of Antonio Ciseri: Ecce Homo (Behold the Man). Linking up today with

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