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Luke 23:1-5
As the chief priests and scribes have forced a guilty conviction on Jesus, they must proceed to the Roman authority to seek capital punishment. In this passage, they have presented Jesus before Pilate, the Roman Governor over this region in hopes that he will agree with them and find Jesus guilty of the charges presented against Him. For one to claim being king would be in direct rebellion to the Roman authorities and subject to death, however, Jesus’ claim to be King of the Jews is still yet in the confines of the Jewish community and not in conflict with the Roman authority which is ruling over the Jews. Pilate finds no fault in Jesus (Luke 23:4), but the chief priests and scribes were content on forcing a guilty plea and in their slight panic of looking bad and being defeated in their accusations, grew more stern in pressing the issue against Jesus.
This is an example of the sinful nature’s grasp on man to not admit defeat, and in the pride and arrogant mindset, to continue a forceful attack.
This is an example of how Satan controls the man who will not accept Jesus, as is shown in the attitude of the chief priests and the scribes.
Jesus describes the attitude of those who do not seek God in John 8:42-47 and is a good description of what is going on in the minds of the chief priests and the scribes in Luke 23:1-5. Satan controls the minds of all those who are not seeking Jesus, for Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). Our inner desire is to seek Jesus, but Satan will do anything he can to keep us from a true relationship with Him, and when we get close to Jesus, Satan will try harder to make us fall. However, the closer we come to Jesus, the easier it is to stand with Him as He gives us more and more strength to overcome Satan as we seek God’s will for our lives through a growing relationship with Him.
Dear Lord,
Satan will throw the biggest temper-tantrum at us for seeking Jesus, but please help us to see that Jesus has already defeated Satan and will help us overcome anything Satan may throw at us if we will keep our focus on Him (1 Corinthians 10:13). In Jesus name I pray, amen.