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Take Up Your Cross

Tim Farley

  Reading the Word Mark 15:20–21 (ESV) 20 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him. 21 And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. Parallel Texts: Matthew 27:31-32; Luke 23:26 Understanding and Applying the Word Jesus had been flogged multiple times in the previous hours. Those beatings left him battered and too weak to carry his cross to the execution site. Therefore, … Continue reading Take Up Your Cross

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A Crown of Thorns

Tim Farley

Reading the Word Matthew 27:27–31 (ESV) 27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. 28 And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him … Continue reading A Crown of Thorns

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Motivated by What Is Right

Tim Farley

Reading the Word Mark 15:15 (ESV) 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Parallel Texts: Matthew 27:26; John 19:16 Understanding and Applying the Word In this single verse, we read of how an innocent Jesus ended up on a cross for crucifixion. Pilate, the Roman governor, wanted to please the crowd. The motivation was not doing what was right, but doing what was popular and best for himself, even if an innocent man had to die. Sinfulness causes us all to do terrible things. Imagine … Continue reading Motivated by What Is Right

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Who Is Your King?

Tim Farley

Reading the Word John 19:1–15 (ESV) 1 Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. 2 And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. 3 They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. 4 Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” 5 So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to … Continue reading Who Is Your King?

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Hail, King of the Jews!

Tim Farley

Shaped by the Word is a daily, Bible-reading devotional. I publish a suggested Scripture reading each day along with some devotional thoughts on the passage. However, on Sundays I only post a suggested reading. Please be sure to subscribe to this page so you can follow along. We are currently reading through the life of Christ. Reading the Word Matthew 27:27–31 (ESV) 27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. 28 And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and twisting together a … Continue reading Hail, King of the Jews!

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Choosing Sin over Righteousness

Tim Farley

Reading the Word Matthew 27:15–23 (ESV) 15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that … Continue reading Choosing Sin over Righteousness

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The Innocent for the Guilty

Tim Farley

  Reading the Word Luke 23:13–16 (ESV) 13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore punish and release him.” Parallel Text: John 18:38 Understanding and Applying the Word Pilate informed the religious … Continue reading The Innocent for the Guilty

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The True King

Tim Farley

  Reading the Word Luke 23:6–12 (ESV) 6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. 9 So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood … Continue reading The True King

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So You Are a King?

Tim Farley

Reading the Word John 18:29–38 (ESV) 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 33 So Pilate … Continue reading So You Are a King?

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Quiet Confidence

Tim Farley

  Reading the Word Matthew 27:11–14 (ESV) 11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. Parallel Text: Mark 15:2-5 Understanding and Applying the Word Pilate was amazed as he questioned … Continue reading Quiet Confidence

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