"The Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple rob on him. "Hail! King of the Jews!" they mocked, as they slapped him across the face.
Pilate went outside again and said to the people, "I am going to bring him out to you now, but understand clearly that I find him not guilty." Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said, "Look, here is the man."
When they saw him, the leading priests and Temple guards began shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"
"Take him yourselves and crucify him," Pilate said. "I find him not guilty."
The Jewish leaders replied, "By our law he ought to die because he called himself the Son of God."
When Pilate heard this, he was more frightened than ever. He took Jesus back into the headquarters again and asked him, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave no answer. "Why don't you talk to me?" Pilate demanded. "Don't you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?"
Then Jesus said, "You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin."
Then Pilate tried to release him, but the Jewish leaders shouted, "If you release this man, you are no friend of Ceasar.' Anyone who declares himself a king is a rebel against Ceasar."
When they said this, Pilate brought Jesus out again to them again. Then Pilate sat down on the judgment seat on the platform that is called the Stone Pavement (in Hebrew, Gabbatha). It was now about noon on the day of preparation for the Passover. And Pilate said to the people, "Look, here is your King!"
"Away with him," they yelled. "Away with him! Crucify him!"
"What? Crucify your king?" Pilate asked.
"We have no king but Ceasar," the leading priests shouted back.
Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified." (John 19:1-16 NLT)
"Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. As many were astonished at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men. So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall be considered." (Isaiah 52:13-15 KJV)
This was quite the task, typing all of this without weeping and seeing these images in my mind! This might be the wrong time or season to be dealing with this; but then again, maybe, it just might work!
As it is, this time of year the goons and goblins come out, so to speak. For the first time in a long time, I feel as though I really want no part of this festive celebration. Even though I know there are loved ones that will go all out to make this a fun-filled night for the kids, it just seems like this year, it has taken on a whole different character!
Maybe it's just me, but then again, I think that I am not alone as our familiar event at church doesn't seem as though it has gotten as much interest. The last two years I took part in handing out candy, but even though it was fun, I still think that I might pass, turn out the lights, and pray for lost souls!
Besides, have you noticed the price for a bag of candy! $18.00 for a bag, and in my neighborhood, I would need at least ten or fifteen bags; and even then, we still run out of candy before the last group shows up. If I am going to buy bags of candy, it's going to go to the church; at least that might work for good, and there might be a few souls saved in the process...
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." (STAND!) (2 Corinthians 10:3-6 KJV)
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