Everyone Represented, Everyone Guilty - The Arrest and Sentencing of the Holy God
The Jews - Guilty - Matthew 26:66-68 - Mark 14:64-65 - Luke 22:63-64 - John 18:22-23 - “When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?”
The Gentiles - Guilty - All 4 Gospels mention Pilate's & the soldiers' dealings with Christ - Matthew 27:26-37; Mark 15:15-26; Luke 23:25-33; & John 19:15-16 - Pilate had released Barabas and scorged Jesus and had him crucified.
Jesus, Holy God, executed with the guilty
The Robbers - Guilty
Matthew 27:38-44; Mark 15:27-32; John 19:18 - “Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. ... 44 And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled (on i deed zo - undeserved reproach, to find fault with, revile, speak through one’s teeth) him in the same way.
Luke 23:32-38 - “Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.” 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews. 39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
- A changed heart to a changed mind. - The Repentant Criminal - Luke 23:40-43 - Isaiah 61:1-2a & Luke 4:18-19
We all need to be set free from our bondage and the reality of the criminal's short but so important story is the repentant and believing sinner is a sinner set free. Whom the Son Sets Free Will Be Free Indeed - Romans 8:1-3
