Unlimited: Pilate Was Surprised
Sep 6, 2024 1698
Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died.When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph (Mark 15:25-26, NIV).
Joseph of Arimathea, a leading member of the Sanhedrin sought an audience with Pontius Pilate to request the body of Jesus.
For many reasons, this was a highly unusual request.
The reason why Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead was because he would have expected Jesus to have lasted days upon the cross, as was usually the case.
In fact, Pilate couldn’t believe it, so he summoned the centurion for confirmation.
You see, Pilate didn’t understand that it wasn’t the might of Rome that had killed Jesus at all! He didn’t understand that Jesus had given his life as an act of his own self-will. Pilate didn’t understand that Jesus’ sufferings at the place of execution hadn’t been principally physical but spiritual. He didn’t understand that there, atonement had been made for the sin of the world.
Pilate, you see, dealt only at the level of the physical.
The centurion absolutely confirmed that Jesus was dead, because he had asked one of his squad to thrust a spear through his side into his heart after his death.
And so, Pilate let Joseph have the body. The fact that he did so speaks of Joseph of Arimathea’s exceptionally high standing. Normally, not even the family was permitted to have the body.
Pilate asked for proof that Jesus had died. And Pilate had no idea of the monumental spiritual achievement that Jesus had just made at the Cross.
We live in an age of scientific materialism in which we need 100% proof for anything otherwise we just won’t believe. That’s why people don’t believe anything anymore; they just have opinions.
– Eliezer Gonzalez
Eli’s Reflection: Think carefully about your own walk through life. Are you operating at the physical level like Pilate, or the spiritual?
Hugh Morgan
Jun 28, 2021
I actually do two studies everyday, one I have been doing for years and it is the exact words from the bible, sometimes I find those lessons boring. So I am glad I found GNU, for the past three weeks the lesson has been centered on the crucifixion and it gives me a chance to actually be there and experience what Jesus went thru. I enjoy these lessons and look forward to it daily and I read these lesson first because It uplifts me.
Olivia
Jun 29, 2021
I must say and Lord knows I got to say that I walk with my life with the most up lifted spiritually and I am so so proud to Walk with my Lord in any shape come high hell or water cause the Lord has made me whole and boldly to keep me at the poor pit to remind me where I come from and to let me know my child it's ok for your past sin's you have truly been forgiving and you now can and will forgive others as I have blessed and forgiving you amen. I thank first my Lord Jesus Christ and then GNU for such a good great beautiful beloving program where though I can write it all down how Jesus has rebuilt me and today still working though me it's a wonderful amazing grace to serve the Lord cause it's Jesus who keeps me lifted up in his image let's say amen amen.