READ John 19
After being cruelly mistreated, Jesus is crucified and gives up His spirit.

INSIGHT
The apostle John reveals the most detailed picture of Pilate’s judgment of Jesus. At first, Pilate says, “I find no fault in Him at all” (18:38). Then, he scourges Jesus, hoping to placate the Jews. Without success, he makes efforts to release Jesus, but the Jewish leaders will not stand for it. Anxious about his political reputation in Rome, Pilate caves in, washes his hands of the affair, and releases Jesus to the Jewish leaders to be crucified. We place much of the blame for Jesus’ death on Pilate. But if at any point in time Pilate had repented of His deed, Jesus Himself would have welcomed him into the kingdom of God.

PRAYER
Give your praise to the Lord for sending His only begotten Son to provide the way for your redemption:
Yet the Lord was pleased to crush him severely.  
When you make him a guilt offering,  
he will see his seed, he will prolong his days,
and by his hand,
the Lord’s pleasure will be accomplished.  
After his anguish, he will see light and be satisfied.
By his knowledge,
my righteous servant will justify many,  
and he will carry their iniquities (Isaiah 53:10-11).

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
We all went astray like sheep;  
we all have turned to our own way;
and the Lord has punished him
for the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6).

Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
All the ends of the earth will remember
and turn to the Lord.
All the families of the nations
will bow down before you,  
for kingship belongs to the Lord;
he rules the nations (Psalm 22:27-28).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:

• Deeper gratitude for your salvation
• The integrity of Christian pastors and leaders
• Your activities for the day

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me
all the days of my life,  
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
as long as I live (Psalm 23:6).