The Lamb who would be King (Luke 22:66-23:1)

Journey with Jesus to the Cross (Tuesday, April 12)

Read Luke 22:66-23:1 

That unseemly procession into Jerusalem was bad enough. Knowing that Rome would put the hammer down on any hint of military rebellion, it was a foolish publicity stunt. But to follow that up by disrupting the worship of the Temple -– now that was the last straw.

The Temple was the symbol of God’s presence in Israel. Its daily sacrifices were the means by which God could be among his people. How dare he interrupt the daily worship? Only the high priest could do that. Who did he think he was? What did he think he was doing?

Whatever it was, it was way over the line. It was time to stop this madness before Rome stepped in, or the Almighty Himself would soon take matters into His own hands.

Arrangements were made for one of Jesus’ followers to hand him over to the Temple Police. It would be done at night, when there would be no interfering crowd. Everything must be done quickly, for the Passover festival was about to begin. No more disruptions – especially during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Jesus was captured while praying in the Garden. A meeting of the Jewish leaders was hastily called. A lot of rules had to be broken in order to reach a quick verdict. But time was of the essence.

Jesus was an uncooperative witness. He would not give direct answers to their questions. Finally, someone asked, “Are you the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.” That was close enough. He was practically guilty of blasphemy. This man was a threat to the Jewish nation! He must be disposed of before he caused more trouble.

Thus begins the darkest chapter of Jewish history. Claiming to protect the law, they circumvented it from start to finish. Their only goal was to rid Jerusalem of this troublemaker. Bending a few rules to get him out of the way was certainly worth it.

And so it was that Jesus was shuffled between Jewish leaders, Pilate, and the notorious king Herod – with the net result being that the innocent Son of God was sentenced to death.

Jesus had warned that judgment was coming. Only now do we realize the terrible, tragic truth: Jesus didn’t just warn about judgment; Jesus took that judgment upon himself. Like the innocent lambs sacrificed during Passover, Jesus laid his life in order to deliver his people from slavery and death. Could it really be that this was how God would reveal himself? Would he really lay down his life for Israel?

Yes, he would. Yes, he did. Jesus was Israel’s God in human flesh. He took upon himself the judgment we deserved. He was the ultimate Passover Lamb, "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). He gave his life so we could have new life. 

"Lord, thank you for giving your life so that we could be set free from slavery to sin and death. When I think of your sacrifice I am humbled by your grace and challenged by your example. Help me to give my life in loving service to others just as you gave your life for us."