Welcome to our new project, the Daily Bible Devotional. The goal is to help you understand and apply

scripture as you go through a New Testament Bible read five days a week, Monday through Friday,

as we move from Matthew straight through to Revelation. In under four minutes each morning, we will recap the chapter,

make some application, present thought questions for the day, and offer a prayer together.

I'm excited about exploring God's word with you, so let's get started.

Welcome to our study today from Luke chapter 23.

Pilot is a central figure in Luke's crucifixion account.

He and Herod both question Jesus and find no guilt in him.

Pilate seeks to release Jesus, but the jealousy of the Jewish people is unrelenting.

Pilate lacks the courage to save Jesus, but he demonstrates how an unbiased mind will

see him as holy. As Christ is crucified, Luke's account notes three things he says on the cross.

He asked God to forgive his killers, for they do not know what they are doing. He extends salvation

to the repentant criminal, and he commits his

spirit into the father's hands. These statements demonstrate his endless love and mercy and his

complete trust in the father. Following his death, a righteous man named Joseph is permitted by

Pilate to bury Jesus. Here's some takeaway ideas from this important chapter.

Pilate is confronted with a choice, to side with an innocent man and risk his standing,

or to turn from Jesus and give in to the demands of sinners. We know he chose poorly.

But if we see Jesus for who he is, then discipleship will be even more than just

claiming his innocence. We must defend his honor. Perhaps Jesus' honor is best shown by who he is

while dying on the cross. His words reveal the depth of his righteousness. We can see how deeply

he loves mankind. In his image, we must prove

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