Faith Blog

Jesus is Judged by Pontius Pilate

Jesus is Judged by Pontius Pilate

By: Melissa James
My artwork is about Pontius Pilate washing his hands of the judgment of Jesus. The high priests and elders accused Jesus of blasphemy and wanted only death for Him. They beat him and in the morning they bound Him and led Him to Pilate the governor. Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?’ And Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” Pilate asked Him if had anything else to say and Jesus did not answer. He did not defend himself to even a single charge. Pilate then asked the people who they wanted released to them-Jesus who is called Christ, or a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. The chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to release Barabbas and put Jesus to death. Pilate asked the crowd what has Jesus done? But they kept shouting all the more saying, Crucify Him! Pilate realized that a riot was starting and that he could not change their minds. He took water and washed his hands in front of them, saying “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.” And all the people said, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!” (Matthew 27:11-23)
Sometimes I feel angered by the unjust things that have happened to me in my life. And I am a sinner. Jesus, however, was without sin-without blemish. Look at the injustices Jesus went through in this trial:

1. Even before the trial began, it had been determined that Jesus must die. Mark 14:1; John 11:50
2. False witnesses were sought to testify against Jesus. Matthew 26:59
3. No defense for Jesus was sought or allowed. Luke 22:67-71
4. The trial was conducted at night which was illegal according to the religious leaders’ own laws. Mark 14:53-65; 15:1
5. The high priest put Jesus under oath, but then incriminated him for what he said. Matthew 26:63-66
6. Cases involving such serious charges were to be tried only in the high council’s regular meeting place, not in the high priest’s home. Mark 14:53-65

When I feel like I need justice, I go to this scripture and think about Jesus.
“For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 2 Peter 2:21
 

Jesus Promises Paradise to the Repentant Thief

Jesus Promises Paradise to the Repentant Thief

By: Sara Gouge
As I contemplated the story found in Luke 23:39-43 of the two men who were crucified with Jesus, I found one criminal mocking him, and the other humble before Him. It is sometimes painful to recognize, but we are the thief on the cross. We are guilty and we don’t deserve paradise. Yet even though we are condemned, because of Christ’s forgiveness, we can also receive the promise of paradise–to be with Jesus forever.

The piece that I worked on contains many elements. The photograph of the crucifix is cut up into strips symbolizing the passage of time. Jesus is eternally existent. He existed before the beginning of time, and He will rule when time is no longer needed. Jesus is in all of the passages of time. He was there on the cross and He is here in the present now. The provision for our forgiveness was laid out and completed long before that moment of sacrifice. We can rejoice in the goodness of His sacrifice-“while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)