ESOCS Devotional 6 August 2026 – Innocent But Sentenced
MEMORY VERSE: John 18:29“Pilate then went out unto them and said, what accusation bring ye against this man?”
TEXT: John 18:28-40
Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. 6 But one testified in a certain place, saying:
Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the [a]Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover. 29 Pilate then went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?”
30 They answered and said to him, “If He were not [b]an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.”
31 Then Pilate said to them, “You take Him and judge Him according to your law.”
Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,” 32 that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die.
33 Then Pilate entered the [c]Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
34 Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?”
35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?”
36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”
Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.
39 “But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
40 Then they all cried again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.
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Nobody would want to suffer a penalty for no just cause. However, we find in real life today that men bring guilt upon the innocent and have them punished in order to satisfy a desire. The desire could be to silence him, teach him a lesson or retaliate an offence. It is a painful thing to experience. May God never allow us suffer the pains of penalty from the wicked. In our text today, we see how Jesus Christ was found to have no offence, but was sentenced by the judge.
It was clear that his accusers had no evidence of his offence. In verses 29-31 of our text the Jews concluded that Jesus was an offender but had no specific evidence and found no ground in the Jewish law to kill him. Most times when the wicked finds no excuse for his wicked acts, he uses those in authority as a pipeline to unleash their wickedness.
We must be watchful. We must not allow the wicked use us as an instrument to perpetuate their wicked desires against the innocent. Pilate fell into that trap. After interrogating Jesus in verses 33-37, Pilate in verse 38 said to the Jews “….I find in him no fault at all” but the Jews insisted that the innocent Jesus must die. Pilate could not stand his ground to pronounce that Jesus is discharged and acquitted. He had the power to do so.
But why did God allow it? In verse 36 Jesus gave us a hint: My kingdom is not of this world.” He came to this world to save us. In Romans 4:25 Apostle Paul said that Jesus “…. was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”
It follows that those of us who believe and confess Jesus will receive the benefit of his death and resurrection. He has suffered the penalty for sinners and by his resurrection given us a place on the side of God. This is the benefit for those who believe.
Question
Do you agree with the mission of Jesus on earth?
Prayer
Father, may I never suffer in the hands of the wicked. The penalty Jesus suffered is enough for me. I stand with the Lord in Jesus name. Amen.
Further Reading Ezek. 33:21-end, Deut. 5:22-end, Heb. 2:1-9
ESOCS Devotional 6 August 2026
