There is a passage of Scripture in the New Testament related to the crucifixion of Christ that is still used to condemn the Jewish people. Pilate has found no reason to put Jesus to death and sees him as innocent. The mob wants blood and wants him crucified. The Jewish religious leaders have ignited the mob into a frenzied blaze. Pilate was warned by his wife, who had a dream, not to harm Jesus.
It was customary to release a prisoner at this feast time, so Pilate brought out Barabbas, a notable prisoner condemned for insurrection and murder. Pilate assumed that the crowd would rather Jesus be released than this most notable criminal. Instead, the crowd cried all the more for the crucifixion of Jesus. When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” (Matthew 27:24, NIV)
To this, All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”(Matthew 27:25, NIV) Antisemitic persons and groups have used this verse to justify their hatred of the Jewish people. They reason that they are simply fulfilling the self-imposed curse the mob placed on their people that day. Let me share why I believe this is a horrific notion.
- If one assumes the worst and accepts this as a self-imposed curse, the fulfillment would have occurred in 70 A.D. when the Romans virtually destroyed the Jewish nation. The temple was destroyed, and Judaism transitioned from a temple-centric to a more rabbinic-centered religion.
- That our God is a God of mercy is seen throughout the ministry of Jesus.
- Jesus Himself prayed from the cross; Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing, (Luke 23:34).Our Lord’s prayer would have been answered.
- The first apostles to lead the church were Jews.
Should you hear this awful doctrine, know that it is false and is used to validate hate. Remember every human being to ever live is responsible for the death of Jesus. He died for our sins, and we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
Dr. James D. Allen
3D Church Consulting LLC, 2023
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Dr. James D Allen
Dr. Allen served as a seminary VP, pastor, and as a trustee on a Christian mental health Board. He has earned a BA, MA, MA Biblical Counseling, Doctor of Ministry. Dr Allen has also preached on 5 continents, lived in 3 nations, and so has a diverse Christian experience. He has a distinguished career of being a pastor, consultant, author, and educator. MY FIRST LOVE--Being a Pastor and encouraging others!
