What Jesus Did! 'Why?' — Mark 15:14

Saturday, November 30, 2024

[The crowd shouted that they wanted Jesus crucified.] "Why?" Pilate demanded. "What crime has he committed?"

But the mob roared even louder, "Crucify him!"

— Mark 15:14 NLT

Key Thought

Why was Jesus crucified? He was innocent. He had done no crime. He had not committed a single sin. Mark wanted us to know that the crowd had lost its collective mind and was thirsty for blood — Jesus' blood. Jesus did not die because he had done wrong. He was crucified because those who hated him had steered the crowd in a horribly wrong direction. Jesus was the righteous victim of a crowd out of control — but only because it was God's plan to provide for our salvation.

Today's Prayer

Holy and righteous Father, I am disgusted with myself when I lose my sense of right and wrong because I have become absorbed by the will of the crowd. Please give me the wisdom and the courage to stand alone against the crowd when the crowd is wrong. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Peter 3:18
  • 2 Corinthians 5:21
  • Acts 2:36-40

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Illustration

Illustration of Mark 15:14 NLT — [The crowd shouted that they wanted Jesus crucified.] "Why?" Pilate demanded. "What crime has he committed?" But the mob roared even louder, "Crucify him!"

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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