THE KING WHOM MEN WOULD TEACH

"I will therefore chastise Him and release Him." (Luke 23:16)

After Jesus was sent back by Herod, Pilate called the ruling priests and the other leaders and the people together. "You brought this man as one who turns the people against their government." he told them. "Now look, I have examined Him before you but haven't found Him guilty of any of the things of which you accuse Him. Nor did Herod because he sent Him back to us. You see, He has done nothing to deserve death. So I am going to teach Him a lesson and let Him go."

This is the best that human justice can come up with when it must judge Jesus. He does not deserve to die because He is a good Man who does so much good: at least, He does no real harm. But He does need a lesson because He obviously goes too far when fine, respectable people must bring charges against Hem,

This sounds so modern that it might have been written in our newspapers this morning. Our world would teach Jesus something, even about Himself, instead of learning only of Him. "Listen to Him." says the voice from heaven. Sin is refusal to hear Him. Sin would rather teach Him a lesson. But if we believe the first part of the voice from heaven, "This is My beloved Son," we have no problem with the second part: "Listen to Him!

May the Holy Spirit help us to hear Him to the exclusion of all else.