The Sin of the Whole World

Today my devotional was about sin, here's what it had to say...
I'm reading today from John 18 where Jesus is taken before Pilate for the final verdict before his execution. Verse 28 describes how the Jews of that day wouldn't come into Pilates headquarters because they didn't want to risk defilement from interaction with a Gentile (non- Jew) and thus be unable to participate in the Passover feast. In other words, they had all kinds of laws about not becoming  "contaminated" by people who were considered "unclean"; and if that ever happened, they had to to go through intensive cleansing rituals supervised by the Temple priests. Until their cleanness as certified by the priests, which could take days or even weeks, they couldn't participate in worship or special feasts  or any of the other religious rites. So since the passover was already underway, none of them dared to enter Pilates quarters: Pilate had to come outside to speak to the crowd. And the fact that he did so just goes to show how eager he was to please the people; he didn't want a riot that would put a stain on his political reputation. But when it came to Jesus, nobody seemed to care whether the young rabbi became contaminated or not. He was a dead man anyway, so they sent Jesus inside to Pilate, though Jesus was a fellow jew- and a good one, at that. And so our savior went alone into the place of defilement, technically losing his place among those "fit" to partake of the Passover. He who had no sin took upon himself the sin of the whole world. Not just his own people, but of every tribe and nation and race, including yours and mine- Sarah Arthur

This got me thinking about how much sin, that Jesus took on. Think about it..Everyone's sin, yours, mine and even your next store neighbor...yeah that's right. Think about it, one man took on all our sins...so amazing. I will be the first to admit that i don't think i would be able to do that. It's crazy to think about. Just picture...Jesus going into Pilots quarters for his final verdict knowing full well that he was going to have to endure the pain and suffering of going on the cross. But through all of this, he did it. He obeyed God despite the temptation not to. It's important that we obey God despite what we want, i will be the first to admit that there have been times in my life that i have not liked the answer that God has given me but still obeyed because that's what we are called to do. So remember this dear blog reader that despite our circumstances or the answer God gives us, we should still obey him.

John 18:28-40 says...
 Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover.  So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?” “If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.” Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” “But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected.  This took place to fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die.  Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”
“Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?” They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising.