Who’s to Blame

We come in our text today to the cross of Jesus Christ. John’s narrative leading to the cross can leave us wondering who is responsible for the death of Jesus. Obviously, the Jewish leaders have some blame. They trumpet up false charges, coaxed the crowd to shout for His crucifixion, and bullied Pilate into giving them what they want. Pilate holds some blame as the coward that wouldn’t release an innocent man. He ignored justice to appease people which is a sad way to live. In Acts 2:23, Peter helps us grasp that Jesus wasn’t a victim, He was the plan. Peter says, that Christ was “delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God.” Man is certainly not innocent in the matter, but God had foreordained this plan. God was in control, Jesus was in control, and nothing can thwart God’s plan. Christ’s words to Pilate really put the whole thing into perspective, “you would have no authority over me unless it had been given to you from above.” Even from the cross, Jesus was still in charge. He proves that fact on Sunday morning when He walks out of the grave.