Beech Tree News Network

In the hours before His crucifixion, Pilate tried to get testimony from Jesus, but Jesus remained silent (Jn. 19:9; Mk. 15:3-5; Isa. 53:7). Pilate knew Christ had been delivered out of “envy” (Matt. 27:18), so he appealed to the people and their customary “prisoner release” during the Passover (Jn. 18:39-40). Sadly, the people listened to the chief priests and elders, and chose Barabbas instead of the Lord (Matt. 27:15-21). Finally, he took water and literally, “washed his hands” of the situation. He declared, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves” (Matt. 27:24). The mob responded, “His blood be on us, and on our children” (Matt. 27:25).

    How tragic! These folks were telling Pilate to kill Jesus and they and their children would bear the guilt of the sin. Actually, what they said was impossible, because children cannot bear their parents’ sins (Ezek. 18:4, 20). Each person is responsible for his own sin (Jas. 1:14-15). By killing Jesus, they violated Exodus 20:13. They were also guilty of “envy”, which God describes as one of “the works of the flesh” in Paul’s writings (Gal. 5:21).

    What spiritual lessons might we learn? One lesson is that we might as well have been there with the mob that day, for it is our sins that nailed Christ to the cross! The sins we have committed make us as guilty as if we were the ones driving the nails into His body. Christ went to the cross to forgive the sins of the world, and this includes my sin (Matt. 20:28, 26:28; Rom. 3:23)! Thus, just like the people who cried “crucify him” that day, Christ’s blood is on our hands, too!

    Fast-forward about 50 days after the crucifixion, when the Jews gathered on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:5-11). As they listened to the apostles (Acts 2:14), they were convicted of their sins, and asked what they could do because they were guilty of murdering Christ (Acts 2:37). Peter responded, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself” (Acts 2:38-39).

    Notice Acts 2:39. The promise Peter spoke of is “to you and your children”. In other words, those who said, “his blood be on us” over a month ago, are now given the opportunity to be saved. They are now getting the opportunity to have Christ’s blood on them and their children so that they can be cleansed from the guilt of sin (Rev. 1:5; Heb. 9:14; I Pet. 1:18-19)!

    Friend, the guilt of sin rests on all who have yielded to temptation (Jas. 1:14-15). Would you like the blood of Christ to cleanse you and your children from sin? Each person needs believe that Jesus is the Son of God (Jn. 8:24), repent of sin (Lk. 13:3, 5), confess Christ (Rom. 10:10), and be baptized for the remission of sin (Acts 2:38). When one is baptized, one comes in contact with the cleansing effects of the blood of the Lord, and is cleansed from sin. The Corinthians heard, believed and were baptized (Acts 18:8; Mk. 16:16), let us do the same thing so that Christ’s blood can forgive us of every sin!

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program on 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167