(paradidomi - handed over, betrayed)
Jerusalem -- You handed [Jesus] over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life … (Acts 3:13-15NIV)
Those are the words Peter spoke to a crowd of people gathered at the temple in Jerusalem, but some of them were not even in Jerusalem that day when Jesus of Nazareth was crucified. Sure, many of them were here. Many of them yelled "crucify him", and yet others stood out on that hill and laughed at his anguish. But it was one of his own who betrayed him. His own disciples, including Peter, ran from him. It was the priests who condemned him and the Gentiles who nailed him to a cross. Sure, I was there, but I was just covering a story. How can Peter accuse everyone of this shameful act?
Were you there? Did you hammer those nails into his hands and feet? Did you yell crucify him? Did you accuse and condemn him or give false testimony against him? Did you betray him or turn your back on him? Is there blood on your hands? Are you guilty of the blood of Jesus?
If you have comments or suggestions, email me at gerrys@christianlight.com
Copyright © 1996 by Gerry Sturgeon
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.