Before Jesus faced the cross, He faced Pilot.
However, the death penalty didn’t come from Pilot, it came from the frenzied mob as they demanded the blood of an innocent man and the release of the guilty one.
It was unfair, unjust and unreasonable.
Matthew 27:25 records that the crowded shouted, “His blood be on us and on our children.” (NIV)
They could not know how true that statement was.
Jesus was innocent, humble, holy and chose to surrender to the death of the guilty, the proud, sin-separated.
He bore the weight of condemnation so we could be free of it.
He accepted unjust punishment so we could accept unearned forgiveness.
Jesus drank deep the cup of death and sin so that we could drink deep the cup of God’s grace and mercy.
Now, the murderous statement of the crowd has become the urgent prayer of every redeemed soul: May His blood be on me and my children.
He was condemned so that you and I could be set free.
He laid down His life so we can be lifted up to live eternally.
His blood bought our forgiveness, his death bought our freedom.
Have you received it?
Are you living in the glorious truth of it?