Originally posted: 10/02/2019
His Innocence was so palpably evident, yet so blatantly ignored.
Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man,” (23:4).
Consider our English definition of the word Innocent.
Innocent: free from moral wrong; without sin; pure: free from legal or specific wrong; guiltless; not involving evil intent or motive.
The Greek word used includes an even greater implication of the concept of Innocence for it evokes God’s perfect standard of righteousness.
1342. δίκαιος díkaios; that which is expected as duty and which is claimed as a right because of one’s conformity to the rules of God or society (from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance).
88.12 δίκαιοςa, α, ον: pertaining to being in accordance with what God requires—‘righteous, just’ (from Louw Nida Greek English Lexicon)
Consider Him Who Was Innocent
- Pilate could find no guilt in Him…
- Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” … 22And he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has this man done? I have found in Him no guilt demanding death…” (23:4, 22).
- …nor could Herod.
- Pilate summoned the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one who incites the people to rebellion, and behold, having examined Him before you, I have found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you make against Him. 15 No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us…” (23:13-15).
- The thief on the cross understood He Was Innocent.
- But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong,” (23:40-41).
- The centurion was convinced He Was Innocent.
- Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent,” (23:47).
- Isaiah prophesied of His Innocence.
- His grave was assigned with wicked men,
Yet He was with a rich man in His death,
Because He had done no violence,
Nor was there any deceit in His mouth, (Isaiah 53:9).
- His grave was assigned with wicked men,
How do we respond to Him Who Was Innocent?
Jesus Himself confirmed He Was Innocent.
“And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him,” [John 8:29]
None but Jesus can make such a claim. And it is only because of His Innocence that we are made righteous and able to escape the just punishment of our sin.
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him, (1 Corinthians 5:21).
- Because He Was Innocent, He is our perfect High Priest.
- For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin, (Hebrews 4:15).
- Because He Was Innocent we can be assured we will never perish; we are His forever.
- knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ… 23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable… (1 Peter 1:18-19, 23).
- Because He Was Innocent we can trust His Word.
- who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; (1 Peter 2:22).
- Because He Was Innocent we have been set free from the bondage of sin.
- You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin, (1 John 3:5).
We can only be declared innocent when we place our faith in Him Who Was Innocent. He suffered humiliation, torture and excruciating death so we could be declared Innocent. It’s beyond comprehension.
We are humbled Lord Jesus, and so deeply grateful. May we grow in faithfulness to become more like You, that we would walk in Your Ways and live to always do the things that are pleasing to You.