March 31-April 4

Jesus on Trial

And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. – Mark 15:4-5 (ESV)

In 1633, Galileo Galilei stood trial before the Roman Catholic Church for his belief that the Earth revolved around the sun. Despite overwhelming evidence, he was condemned as a heretic and forced to recant under threat of imprisonment. Galileo’s trial was not about truth—it was about silencing an inconvenient reality (Galileo: A Life). In a much greater way, Jesus stood trial before Pilate, falsely accused and abandoned, yet He remained silent. His trial wasn’t about justice; it was about rejecting the truth of who He is.

Jesus, the sinless Son of God, stood before Pilate as the religious leaders hurled false accusations against Him. Pilate, a Roman governor who prided himself on maintaining order, saw through their deceit but lacked the courage to stand for truth. The most striking detail? Jesus remained silent. He did not defend Himself, argue, or plead His case. Why? Because His mission was not to escape suffering but to fulfill the will of God (Isaiah 53:7). He was not powerless; He was purposeful. He endured injustice so that we might be justified before God. While Pilate was amazed at His silence, we should be amazed at His obedience. Jesus chose to suffer so that we could be set free.

Reflection Questions
1. How does Jesus’ silent endurance of injustice challenge your faith?
2. In what ways can you trust God’s purpose in difficult circumstances instead of trying to defend yourself?

Suggested Prayer
Lord, I stand in awe of Jesus’ obedience and sacrifice. Help me to trust You even when I face injustice, knowing that You are in control. Give me the strength to follow Christ’s example and stand firm in faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

He Was Abandoned and Falsely Accused

And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. – Mark 15:1 (ESV)

In 1807, Vice President Aaron Burr was put on trial for treason. The charges? A wild conspiracy that he planned to establish his own empire in the western United States. The trial was a spectacle, filled with drama, exaggeration, and political betrayal. Though he was ultimately acquitted, Burr’s reputation never recovered. The trial had less to do with justice and more to do with power and manipulation (American Emperor: Aaron Burr’s Challenge to Jefferson’s America).

Jesus was not given a fair trial; He was handed over by the religious leaders in a carefully orchestrated plot. The Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, had already decided His fate before He ever stood before Pilate. They didn’t seek truth; they sought to eliminate Him. This betrayal was not just from enemies—it was from the very people who should have welcomed the Messiah. Jesus was falsely accused, yet He did not resist. He willingly submitted to the Father’s plan. He was bound so that we might be set free. He was handed over so that we might be delivered. When we feel abandoned or falsely accused, we can take comfort in knowing that our Savior understands our pain.

Reflection Questions
1. How does Jesus’ response to false accusations challenge how you handle injustice?
2. In what ways can you trust God’s purpose even when others misjudge you?

Suggested Prayer
Lord, when I feel misunderstood or falsely accused, help me to remember Jesus. Give me the strength to trust You, knowing that You are the ultimate judge. Thank You for enduring betrayal so that I might be saved. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

He Was Cursed and Unjustly Condemned

And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” – Mark 15:13-14 (ESV)

A Texas man received a $200 fine for littering after a police officer claimed to see him throwing trash out of his truck window. The problem? The “trash” was actually a $100 bill that had accidentally flown out when he grabbed his wallet. Despite his protests, the ticket stood. He was punished for something he didn’t even do! (Texas Monthly). Jesus experienced something far worse—He was condemned, not because of a mistake, but because people refused to see the truth.

Pilate knew Jesus was innocent. He even tried to release Him, offering to free a prisoner as was the custom during Passover. But the crowd, stirred up by the religious leaders, demanded that Jesus be crucified instead of Barabbas, a murderer. They chose a criminal over the sinless Son of God.

This was not just a failure of human justice—it was a fulfillment of divine prophecy. Jesus bore the curse of our sin so that we might receive His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). When the world rejects Him, we must ask ourselves: will we follow the crowd or stand for Christ?

Reflection Questions
1. Have you ever felt pressured to go along with the crowd instead of standing for Christ?
2. What does Jesus’ unjust condemnation teach you about His love for you?

Suggested Prayer
Lord, help me to stand for truth even when the world chooses otherwise. Thank You for taking my punishment so that I could receive Your grace. Give me boldness to follow You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

He Was Mocked and Brutally Mistreated

And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” – Mark 15:17-18 (ESV)

During the early 1900s, British explorer Ernest Shackleton placed an ad seeking crew members for his Antarctic expedition: “Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful.” The response? Thousands applied! People willingly signed up for suffering because they believed in the mission (Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage).

The soldiers humiliated Jesus, dressing Him in a purple robe and placing a crown of thorns on His head. They didn’t just torture Him physically; they mocked His identity as King. This was more than cruelty—it was rejection of His authority. Yet Jesus endured their scorn without resistance. He had the power to stop it, but He chose the cross for our redemption. The suffering He endured reminds us of the cost of our salvation. If Jesus was willing to suffer for us, how can we not live for Him?

Reflection Questions
1. How does Jesus’ suffering challenge the way you think about trials in your life?
2. In what ways can you honor Jesus as King in your daily life?

Suggested Prayer
Lord, I cannot comprehend the suffering You endured for me. Thank You for taking my place. Help me to honor You with my life and trust You through my struggles. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

He Was Rejected and Denied

But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. – Mark 14:71-72 (ESV)

In 2003, famous baseball fan Steve Bartman unintentionally interfered with a foul ball during a Chicago Cubs playoff game. The crowd blamed him for the team’s loss, and he was met with extreme backlash, including threats and exile from Cubs fans. Years later, the Cubs formally apologized and gave him a championship ring. Like Bartman, Peter found himself in a moment of pressure, and instead of standing firm, he denied Jesus—not once, but three times.

Peter, the disciple who once declared he would never leave Jesus, crumbled under pressure. In the courtyard of the high priest, he denied knowing Jesus three times. When the rooster crowed, Peter realized the weight of his failure and wept bitterly.

Peter’s denial was heartbreaking, but it wasn’t the end of his story. Jesus would later restore him (John 21:15-19). His failure didn’t disqualify him—it prepared him for future faithfulness. We all face moments of fear and doubt, but Jesus offers redemption.

Reflection Questions
1. Have you ever denied Jesus in your actions or words?
2. How can you find hope in Jesus’ restoration when you fail?

Suggested Prayer
Lord, I don’t want to deny You in my words or actions. Strengthen my faith so that I can stand boldly for You. Thank You for Your grace that restores me even when I fail. In Jesus’ name, Amen.