Before we get into today’s study, you should know that the reading list for May and June is now posted at WITLBible.com/reading-list/

Monday – Gospels

Reading – John 19

Highlight Verse:

“Pilate went outside again and said to the people, “I am going to bring him out to you now, but understand clearly that I find him not guilty.””
‭‭John‬ ‭19‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

One begins to sympathize with Pilate for being put in the position of having to condemn an innocent man by the pressure of the people.

Then you realize that he just had Jesus brutally flogged with a lead tipped whip.

Pilate was a cruel man.

The Roman system of justice was cruel.

Granted, some of the previous justice systems in the world would result in instant death for someone who had the bad fortune of being accused of a crime.

The Romans did have a type of trial. But those found guilty suffered the most painful, torturous death imaginable!

Naked.

In public.

On a cross where they were suspended from the most painful places while they slowly bled to death and were kept on the edge of suffocation.

Often for hours.

Why would God bring His son into the world in that time and place? Couldn’t He have come at a time when the death penalty was more humane?

To that I would have to say, God knew exactly what He was doing.

The depth of Christ’s pain and humiliation demonstrated in no uncertain terms the depth of His love for us.

Let that sink in.

Do you know how deep and extravagant God’s love for you is?
How will you begin to return that love today?