Read: Mark 15:1-5
Pontius Pilate was accustomed to pronouncing judgement over people. As the leader in the Roman government, he would have issued verdicts and orders of execution many, many times. It is not hard to imagine that most men who were brought before him would have begged for their lives. Jesus, however, was not “most men.” Pilate was fascinated by the fact that Jesus stood mostly silent before Him in the face of serious charges. Jesus’ silence before this human judge drove home the point that the “right time” had come and He was willingly laying down His life as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.
Question of the Day: Though His captors used force, they did not need it. Jesus had more than enough power to force His freedom and more than enough logic to be His own defense attorney before Pilate. But Jesus remained silent because He knew that He was headed to the cross to die for you and me. What does it tell you about Jesus that He willingly laid down His life for you?