Jesus is Condemned by the Sanhedrin

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Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” (John 19:11)

Once again, Jesus faces the injustice and pain of having his life at the mercy of others. And others who do not have His best interest at heart. Leaning into the overarching story of God’s redemption, grace and the coming of a new heaven and a new earth, Jesus finds some comfort and courageously stares down Pilot, but the pain of being “handed over” is palpable. And yet, indicting. Vengeance is the Lords. There will be a reckoning.

Reflect on any comfort that you may glean from knowing that the story is never over. God does have your back and will bring all things around. There are no quick fixes here but we can discover a posture of peace and grace saturated in the presence of the Spirit.

NT Wright challenges us in his reflection on this text, "The choice becomes stark. Are we with Pilate—nervously allowing himself to be manoeuvred into dangerous compromise? Are we with the chief priests—pressing home a political advantage without realizing that we are pushing ourselves backwards towards complete capitulation? Or are we with Jesus— in the middle, continuing to reflect the love of God into his muddled and tragic world?” Where are you?

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Art by Scott Erickson