Lee Strobel

Ultimately, he died because he paid for the sins of humankind.

He atoned for our sins.

He paid the penalty we deserve for the sins that we've committed so that we could be given a free gift of forgiveness and eternal life.

So when it comes right down to it, you and I are the ones who killed Jesus.

Well, certainly the Romans had the authority to crucify someone.

And by the way, they didn't crucify Roman citizens because it was such a cruel, torturous death that Roman citizens were exempt.

But, of course, they had to implement it.

It was encouraged by the Jewish leaders of the day who were opposed to Jesus.

And so they both had a role, you would say, in the actual execution of Jesus.

Well, it's interesting.

The Romans, you know, if you look at Pilate, he sort of washed his hands.

He tried to kind of distance himself from it.

If you read the account, it doesn't sound like he was that into it.

He seemed like he was more capitulating to the crowd.

He offered to give him Barabbas, hey, you know, let's trade out here, or Jesus.

And, of course, they chose to free Barabbas, not Jesus.

So the Romans didn't like the fact that Jesus was claiming to be the unique son of God, the Messiah.

Why?

What were they afraid of?

Because in those days, the emperor was considered to be divine.