John 18:28 - 19:16   Jesus was taken to Pilate... who tried every way he could to not have to do what the Jews wanted him to do.. 

Pilate asked for a valid accusation.. (v29)

He told them to judge Him themselves.( v31)

He tried to get Jesus to say something incriminating.. "(v33-37)

He pronounced Him not guilty..(v38)

He offered His release.. (v39)

He scourged Him.. perhaps trying to satisfy the crowd.. (19:1)

Again, he declared Him not guilty..(v4 and 6)

He presented Jesus one last time.. a crown of thorns on His head.. a robe of purple around His beaten, bleeding body.. "Behold, your King!"

Yet, the crowd, led by the chief priests, still cried out, "Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!"

"So he then delivered Him to them to be crucified,"  (v 16)

Jesus told Pilate, "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me up to you has the greater sin." ( v11)   Pilate was not innocent in this death.. for he could have overruled the crowd.  But, he was unwilling to upset the Jews.. perhaps fearing his own potential loss of position.  But, the greater guilt would lie on the Jewish leaders.  "He came to His own and those who were His own did not receive Him." ( John 1:11)

Father in heaven, You sent Your Beloved Son.. set in motion these events.. put in place these people.. to accomplish the most incredible and  incomprehensible act of mercy and grace that has ever been done.  And Jesus, "....knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth.. " He took the cup. He took upon Himself all our sins.  He took the punishment for us all.  He gave His life that we might live. We are His own and we do receive Him.. as our Savior and our King forever!  Jesus, the Son of God, be glorified and exalted!  Thank You!  Amen.