ARE YOU GUILTY OF MURDER?

By Charles N. Spence, Jr.

Dear reader, if you were asked the question, "Who was responsible for the death of Jesus?" what would your answer be? Anyone who knows the basic message of the four gospels may be inclined to give a number of possibilities. The most obvious answer would be the Roman soldiers who were directly responsible for the execution of Jesus. However, upon closer examination, one would be able to conclude that the soldiers were merely carrying out the request of their rulers. The soldiers were ignorant of the impact of what they were doing, they did not know who Jesus was. So, as they were dividing Jesus' garments and casting lots for his coat, Jesus could be heard saying, "Father forgive them, for they do know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).

Since the soldiers were operating under orders, one would go to the next one who can be held responsible for the death of Jesus: Pontius Pilate. According to Luke 23:1-25, Pilate had every opportunity to set Jesus free. Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent (v. 22). Pilate wanted so much to set Jesus free, but he was afraid for his political life. He tried to wash his hands of the matter by accepting no responsibility for Jesus' death (Matt. 27:24).

Now that it is evident that Pilate did not want to be held responsible for the death of Jesus one must turn his attention to those who delivered Jesus to Pilate. Matthew 27:1-2 says, "When morning came, all the chief priests and elders took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death. And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor." The religious leaders had a big hand in the death of Jesus. A casual reading of the text seems to suggest that the religious leaders were the real culprits in the death of Jesus. Yet, this seems hardly to be the case when the preaching of Peter is considered. While he preached the first gospel sermon on the day of Pentecost, Peter had charged all those who heard him with putting to death the Son of God (Acts 2:36). Everyone, Peter says, had a hand in crucifying the Savior. This is further supported by the words of the prophet Isaiah, "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isa. 53:5-6). Did you notice how Isaiah included himself in the number of those who benefit from Jesus death? The point is that since Jesus died for sins, sin is what put Him on the cross.

The Bible teaches that everyone has sinned (Rom. 3:23). Thus, everyone is a murderer. This includes you, dear reader! How does it feel to be responsible for the death of an innocent man? Instead of you dying for your own sins, Jesus endured the penalty for you. Instead of you being forsaken, Jesus allowed Himself to go through such an agonizing experience (Matt. 27:46). Here was someone the Bible says has been made to be sin, who knew no sin, that we might be the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21).

Who would have ever imaged himself a conspirator in the death of an innocent man? As the song-writer says , "Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble." And again, "I'm the one who shouted `crucify,' I'm the one who made His cross so high, I'm the one who stood and watched Him die; what have I done? I'm the one."

When the multitude realized that they were indeed responsible for the death of God's beloved Son, "They were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37). Dear reader, can you sense the agony in the minds of those who heard Peter preach? Has such dread and concern ever penetrated your heart so intensely? Have you been so moved to consider your helpless estate in light of the crimes that you have committed against God and Christ? Peter told the people what to do. He said, "Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit . . . Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:38, 41). Dear reader, have you taken the steps necessary to save yourself from such a perverse generation (Acts 2:40). Don't wait another minute to get right with God. Just as the three thousand in Acts 2:41 responded favorably the same day of their understanding of and belief in the truth so should you dear reader. There are not many opportunities where murderers are set free. Take advantage of the grace of God while you still have time.