Why Was Jesus Crucified?

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” (John 3:19-21 ESV). A relatively new book, now a movie made for TV, is based on the premise that Jesus was crucified because of the political and financial interests of his enemies. Certainly there is some truth to that premise. God used the geopolitical circumstances in Israel at the time to bring about His redemptive work in Christ. However, the foundational reason for the death of Jesus was in the heart of men. Jesus said, they “loved darkness” and their “works were evil.” The religious leaders of Jesus’ day did not doubt Jesus’ claims or works because they merely disagreed with Him. They doubted him because they were hardened against him. They preferred darkness to light; they preferred wrong to right. Doubt is a matter of the mind. Even Christians have moments of doubt. The problem of the Pharisees went much deeper than doubt. The Pharisees were full of unbelief. They did not reject Jesus for lack of evidence or because He was not consistent with what He said. The fact is that Jesus was the perfect example. Even Pontius Pilate, who had examined countless people, said, "I find no fault in this Man" (cf. Luke 23:4), and "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person" (cf. Matthew 27:24). Judas Iscariot, who spent three, concentrated years with Jesus and even betrayed Him said, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood" (cf. Matthew 27:4). So Jesus clearly was a model of everything that He said. People today don't reject Jesus because they have carefully examined the evidence and have determined that it is not convincing enough. They don't reject Him because they have read through the Scriptures and have found some apparent contradiction. They don't reject Him because of the so-called hypocrisy of some in the church. They reject Him because He interferes with their desire to continue their life of evil. Every Easter Season I am so encouraged by the numbers of people who attend church. For some that is the only time they attend during the year. I remind myself that it is once. That is always better than none! It also reminds me how important it is to tell the real story of Easter. To recall the grace of God on that wonderful day that forever changed the darkness. God turned on the Light for all men to see the truth that would set them free. Have you seen that Light? You can. Turn to Jesus as he speaks to you this year!