WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: Do you have a particular goal in mind for your church or business or family? What is your strategy for achieving it? Balance of power The Sanhedrin made their plans (v 1). What were they? Did they plan to surprise Pilate early in the morning and put him on the spot? Did they plan to gather a crowd and manipulate their vote? How sinister! Power in Jerusalem was finely balanced. The Sanhedrin had little official power, but they had power over the people, powers of persuasion and religious law. The Romans had official power, but counted on the religious authorities to keep the peace. Pilate needed their cooperation; as a crowd could mean a riot, he took great care. Submission If he wanted to, Jesus could control the crowd with a word or a look. He had spoken to thousands and kept them listening for days. But he chose not to. Jesus affirmed Pilate’s question, foretelling the words to be inscribed on the cross – and that is all. He chose not to answer the accusations against him (v 5). It was not a fair trial, and he did not treat it as such. Instead he submitted to the will of the Father. The Sanhedrin stirred up the crowd (v 11), using their people like puppets to deliver the verdict of crucifixion. But the Lord had plans above and beyond these. And as Jesus submitted willingly to the plans of the Father, he put in motion a plan to bless and save God’s people. Respond: What part does God play in our plans? Prayerfully submit your plans to the Father. http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-04-03