Behold the man!

John 19:1~18
March 24th 2024, Fourth Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Jesus was put on trial by the Jews at midnight and was sentenced to death. Next, he was put on trial by the Romans, and the governor Pilate did everything he could in order to get him released, since he found no guilt in Jesus. He tried to convince the Jews to get him released by showing them Jesus cruelly beaten with a special Roman whip (which was made of short leather thongs with small metal pieces).　Then Pilate said, “Behold the man!” but the Jews cried out that Jesus should be crucified. Their voice was stronger, so that the death penalty was confirmed, and Jesus was crucified and died.

Let us learn from the two words told by Pilate during this trial:

The first one is “Where are you from?” This question means “Who are you?” This is also a question for us. I wonder who do we believe is Jesus, as we walk our lives? Depending on that perception, the way we walk will be different.

The second one is “Behold the man!” He was not just an ordinary human being. He was God who became flesh, suffered and died instead of us. It is important that we keep seeing Him.

We will learn about the resurrection of Jesus on the coming Holy Day. Let us always walk with our eyes on the Lord who became flesh, died and rose again for us!

<The Verse of the Bible>

So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Behold the man!"

John 19: 5 (English Standard Version