In John 19:1-15, Jesus stands before Pilate beaten, mocked, and crowned with thorns. Yet in the middle of His humiliation we see His glory revealed. The innocent Son of God willingly bears the curse, shame, and suffering that sinners deserve, fulfilling the plan of God and preparing to become the blameless sacrifice in our place.
As Pilate wrestles with what to do with Jesus, the passage confronts us with the same question. Pilate knew Jesus was innocent, yet he chose his position and his reputation over Christ. The crowds rejected their true King. And Jesus continued toward the cross, the King who exchanged His crown of glory for a crown of thorns and bore our shame so that we might be clothed in His righteousness. At the heart of it all is the love of God, who sent His Son into the world so that we might live through Him.
