Tuesday after Judica Sunday

Scripture: St. Mark 15:1-19 (NKJV)

15:1 Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. 2 Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

He answered and said to him, “It is as you say.”

3 And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. 4 Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!” 5 But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.

6 Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. 7 And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. 8 Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. 9 But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.

11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. 12 Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?”

13 So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!”

14 Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?”

But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!”

15 So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.

16 Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison. 17 And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, 18 and began to salute Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him.

Devotion

Our Lord’s silence in the presence of His accusers reveals His innocence. He has no need to defend Himself, for He has not committed the many things they testified against Him. Like a lamb who is silent before the shearers, so is He silent before His accusers.

When our Lord Jesus was a boy of twelve, He was found in the midst of the teachers of the temple, both asking questions and listening to them. Here on the day of His death He is silent. The time for questions and answers is over. He has come to the time of our redemption from sin, death, and the devil. He willingly gives Himself over to His false accusers so that by His death we might have life. He is silent before His accusers so that on the Last Day He might speak to all those who believe on His Name the proclamation that they will inherit eternal life with Him and all the saints and angels in Heaven.

Our Lord Jesus was silent on the day of His death to lead death captive. But now He speaks through His holy Word the good things He did for us by His silent, innocent suffering and death. He won for all people atonement for their sins. Those who believe on Him, who trust in His atoning sacrifice, can now open their mouths and sing His praise. We, the innocent ones through the washing of Holy Baptism, now proclaim with loud voices of praise the wonderful things our Lord has done for us by His silence and death.

Prayer: We beseech Thee, Almighty God, mercifully to look upon Thy people, that by Thy great goodness they may be governed and preserved evermore in body and soul; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.