Innocent, but crucified

Friday April 2, 2021

This man (Jesus) was delivered to you according to the defined plan and the foreknowledge of God. You arrested him, you killed him on a cross through ungodly men. Acts 2:23

He who did not know sin, he made him sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Innocent, but crucified

During the trial for Jesus' death, six people testified that he was innocent :

- Judas : "I have sinned by arresting an innocent" (Matthew 27. 4).

- Pilate : "I found nothing in him that deserves death" (Luke 23. 22).

- Pilate's wife sent to say to her husband : "Have nothing to do with this righteous" (Matthew 27. 19).

- Herod found "no crime in this man", and therefore noted that "nothing has been done by him that deserves death" (Luke 23. 14, 15).

- One of the crucified criminals said : "This one has done nothing wrong" (Luke 23. 41).

- The leader of the soldiers who crucified Jesus "glorified God by saying : Certainly this man was righteous" (Luke 23. 47).

So, although innocent, Jesus was crucified. Why ? The men excluded him because his actions, his words his person embarrassed them. They no longer wanted his presence among them because it showed the state of their hearts. Jesus spoke to them of God, of grace and of truth, but it is written : "Men have preferred darkness to light" (John 3:19).

Mankind is therefore responsible for the condemnation of the Lord. Yet there is another reason that leads the Lord to die on the cross. The only innocent man, he offered himself to God to bear the punishment our sins deserved. By his sacrifice we are made righteous before God, and God can forgive us. Yes ! Jesus is the "Savior of the world" (John 4:42).

Source (The Good Seed)