The conviction of the Christ

As our Lord returns to Pilate for the conclusion of the Roman trial, the bloodlust of the Sanhedrin rises, and with it the popular appetite for Christ's crucifixion. Luke reminds us of the accusation made against him, draws repeated attention to the declaration concerning his innocence, shows the original intention to release Jesus as being not guilty, portrays the desperation of the Jews to crucify him, and records Pilate's sorry capitulation to this vengeful hatred. Woven through the story of Christ's wrongful conviction is his own conviction to follow this dreadful path for the sake of his people, with a striking echo of substitution that runs through the whole.