January 29, 2020
Luke 23:23-25
But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed.  So Pilate decided to grant their demand.  He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.
New International Version (NIV)
Remember the game “hot potato”?  As children, we stood in a circle and threw in a potato and everybody tried to get rid of it as fast as they could, sending it in somebody else’s direction.  The potato was too “hot” to hold. 

At his trial, Jesus was the hot potato.  The assembly brought Jesus to Pilate.  When Pilate found out he was from Galilee, he sent him to Herod.  Herod had hoped to meet Jesus because he saw him as a magician who could impress him with a miracle.  Jesus refused to play the game, so they sent him back to Pilate.  Pilate didn’t want to kill him so he offered to release Jesus.  But the crowd kept shouting, “Crucify him.”

Majority opinion is not always right.  Three times Pilate tried to set Jesus free.  But the crowd’s chants reached a deafening level.  So, reading the political tea leaves, Pilate released a murderer instead and murdered Jesus by sending him to the cross.   There Jesus died for the sins of the very people who crucified him.  He prayed for them, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” 

What will we do with Jesus?  We may try to ignore him, but he is inescapable.  He refuses to go away.  We may join the crowd in faulting him.  On the other hand, we may worship him.  When Jesus comes your way today, by all means stay close to him.  He will not go away.  Thank God!
Pray with me:       
Father, we thank you that Jesus our King willingly went to the cross for us.  Thorns on his brow, nails in his hands, there is no way we can say no to him.  As followers of Christ the King, let us live under his reign and rule today.  We say “Yes.”  Now that we have given you the answer, show us what you want us to do.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.  
Join us in memorizing the Word.  Scripture for this week:    
Matthew 5:9-10
Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan.  Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG 
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week.  In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year.  Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.  
Joyfully, 
Duane 

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