Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Nov 5th, 2016 Mob Rule? – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passages – Luke 23 – 24; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

“And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King. And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it. Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man. And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.” (Luke 23:1-5)

“And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.” (Luke 23:10-11)

“Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go. And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.” (Luke 23:20-24)

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” (Luke 23:34)

Good morning. An angry mob is a terrible thing. Here is Jesus about to be crucified, and the people were crying out to crucify Him. The voices of the chief priests also cried out to crucify Him. Yet He loved each and every one of them. He was willing to go to the cross, to shed His precious blood for the sins of the world. He had healed everyone who came to Him. Healed the sick, raised the dead, fed the hungry, and exposed the corruption of the religious system and it’s priests. He spoke of sin. He spoke of Hell. He spoke of the Kingdom of God. He shed tears for those who had no hope, or understanding. He felt every pain we have ever had. He knows us better than we know ourselves: He is our Creator. He supplies our every need, and gives us strength and comfort in the face of adversity. Will you join in with the angry mob when they come? Or will you hold fast to Jesus and stand up for what is right, Holy, and true? There is no life except for what is in the Lord Jesus Christ…

“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” (John 10:9-11)

Living He loved me. Dying He saved me. Buried He carried my sins far away. Rising He justified freely forever. One day He’s coming – Oh, glorious day!

Peace!