Matthew 27:1–2 (ESV)
Jesus Delivered to Pilate
27When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people
took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. 2And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor.
It is interesting that the chief priest and the elders
held their trial at night. This flies in the face of their laws which require trials to take place during the day. So, in their desire to kill Jesus, that had to make up (false) charges against him to use in an illegal trial (held at night).
They could have had their own trial, but they did not have authority to kill Jesus, so they had to take the issue to Pilate, who was the Roman governor of that area. My what tangled webs we weave! We can point our fingers at the chief priest and
the elders… but we are no better. We still continue to sin. We get into heaven, not by our righteousness, but because of Christ’s righteousness.
I pray: O Lord, help us to repent of our sins and to
turn away from them. Help us to receive relief through your Word and sacraments. Thank you for all you have done for us. Amen.