April 18 - The Call of Sin

Louder Than the Mob

I know I'm just another Judas, kiss Your face

While I drive the nail in Your hand

I know I'm just another Thomas, won't believe

Until I feel the hole in Your hand

Then I will say, my God,

I see not what You see

My God, what do You see in me?

My God, crowned in glory

The Lamb of God is worthy

My sin yell, "Crucify!" Louder than the mob that day

My sin yell, "Crucify!" louder than any mouth.

Matt Morginsky and The O.C. Supertones © 1997 BEC Records

The Call of Sin

John 18.12-19.16

This is the longest passage we read this week, but it is also the most poignant in the narrative leading to the Cross. That may sound like a bold statement, but I want to walk through the idea with you as you reflect on this week. So far, Jesus has been praised as He entered Jerusalem, washed His disciples feet, and has agonized with God over the events on the horizon. We know that it ends in a crucifixion. While the Resurrection is the pinnacle and most important detail of the entire narrative, this series of legal trial is the most poignant event to transpire before the Cross appears on the scene.

The events of this Thursday night in Holy Week happen in a rapid fire sequence. Please keep in mind that the Supper, the foot wash, Gethsemane, and the events of John 18 and 19 all happen in about 12 hours. There are many backroom court dealings and political power plays that expedite the process in getting to the Cross. There are beatings, both by the jeering onlookers and by the sanctioned Roman military.

However, please notice that Pilate is struggling with what to do. Time and time again he says, “I cannot find anything wrong with this man” (18.31, 18.38, 19.4, 19.6). But the mob kept insisting that His sentence be execution. It starts with the suggestion of the Jewish leaders in 18.31 that they cannot put anyone to death and reaches its zenith with the crowd repeatedly crying out “Crucify! Crucify!”

That is the call of sin! Sin calls for death. Sin calls for blood to quench its insatiable thirst. Sin calls for the crucifixion. Not the sin of Caiaphas or of the mob, though it certainly is there. It is my sin that called for that crucifixion. Because I was dead in my trespasses and sin (Eph 2.1), I needed a Redeemer Who would take the wrath of God for my sin!

I love the imagery of this old Supertones song. The allegory of who we are in the passion narrative drives home the fullest point that I must see my sin as the reason Jesus died on the cross. That it was the sin in my life that cried out to Pilate “Crucify Him!” repeatedly until the ascent to Golgotha was complete. It is my sin today that requires the blood of Christ. As the author of Hebrews states, “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin” (9.22).

Today, as you read over the trial and the verdict, hear your own voice crying out for the death of Christ turn into shouts of praise as your sin is covered and removed!

Pray: Lord Jesus, You became sin for me. You didn’t just take my sin, You became my sin. My sin that I committed in the flesh, You absorbed. You removed. You forgave. I am sorry for my sin, my sin that sent You to the Cross. Thank You, Jesus for Your loving sacrifice for me. Strengthen me today that I may share this joy with others who do not already know that the call of their sin has been answered!