Tag Archives: death penalty

What Crime Has This Man Committed?

07 Monday Apr 2025

Posted by in Lent

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Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.

 Reading: Psalm 98:1-6

LORD God,
 I am so grateful for the salvation
you purchased for me
through the blood of Jesus.
I want all the ends of the earth to know
about that great salvation.
Thank you, Jesus. 
Amen.

— — —

Pilate called together the chief priests,
the rulers and the people, and said to them,
“You brought me this man as one
who was inciting the people to rebellion.
I have examined him in your presence
and have found no basis for your charges against him.
Neither has Herod,
for he sent him back to us;
as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death.
Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.”

But the whole crowd shouted,
“Away with this man!
Release Barabbas to us!”
(Barabbas had been thrown into prison
for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

Wanting to release Jesus,
Pilate appealed to them again.
But they kept shouting,
“Crucify him! Crucify him!”

For the third time he spoke to them:
“Why? What crime has this man committed?
I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty.
Therefore I will have him punished
and then release him.”

But with loud shouts
they insistently demanded that he be crucified,
and their shouts prevailed.
So Pilate decided to grant their demand.
He released the man
who had been thrown into prison
for insurrection and murder,
the one they asked for,
and surrendered Jesus to their will.
(Luke 23:13-25, NIV)*

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

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* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Please pray for peace to return to Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Today’s review of “The Soldier Who Killed a King“
David Kitz’s “The Soldier Who Killed A King” is a book that transports you to the passion week of Jesus with his triumphal arrival into Jerusalem, his trial and his crucifixion in a real and tangible way that made me believe I was there witnessing it through the eyes of the centurion in charge of Jesus death on the cross. While the book is historical fiction, it is loaded with biblical references that link the story directly to the Biblical account. You can review each reference in the index if you are interested in over a hundred connections that Kitz has woven into his story. I used this book in an adult Sunday School class prior to last Easter and it was well-received with many comments about the realism of the time period as described by Kitz. I think “The Soldier Who Killed A King” is one of the best Easter novels I have ever read. I give it 5 stars!  — Jim Martens


This biblically accurate novel is ideal for the Lent/Easter season.
For details click here.

Time Capsule Testimony

10 Tuesday Apr 2018

Posted by in Bible, Devotionals, Psalm 102, Psalms

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Reading:                                    Psalm 102                                                                  

 (Verses 18-22)
Let this be written for a future generation,
that a people not yet created may praise the LORD:
“The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high,
from heaven he viewed the earth,
to hear the groans of the prisoners
and release those condemned to death.”
So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion
and his praise in Jerusalem
when the peoples and the kingdoms
assemble to worship the LORD (NIV).

Reflection
Time capsules are a fascinating idea. They can tell us a great deal about what people at a certain point in history considered important or indicative of that particular time. What was significant in the lives of people 100 years ago? A time capsule gives us a glimpse into that long ago period. For instance, a time capsule from 1959 might contain a hula-hoop, but the significance of that craze might well be lost on the current generation of young people.

IMG_20180402_105449 (2)

Fenced ranch land north of the Cypress Hills in Saskatchewan — photo by David Kitz

In some respects, this reading from Psalm 102 acts as a time capsule. It is a written testimony of what the LORD has done. “The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death.” 

Generation after generation of Bible readers has read this written testimony. They know that the LORD hears the groans of prisoners and sets them free. But this testimony doesn’t end there. It doesn’t end there because the LORD has not stopped listening and acting. He continues to do these things today.

I can personally testify to being set free from the bondage of sin. I know that due to my sinful nature I was condemned to die. But Jesus suffered the punishment I deserve on my behalf. When I called out to God, He heard my cry and set me free from the death penalty I was living under. My body may perish, but through the blood shed by Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit, I have eternal life. That’s my testimony. That’s the time capsule message I want to send to the next generation and beyond.

By the way, my testimony is not unique. Millions of people around the world can testify to the life changing power of the LORD. They all have time capsule testimonies that they want to send to a generation as yet unborn.

What about you? Do you have a testimony to God’s redeeming forgiveness and power? It might be worth your time to write it down. We overcome the attacks of the enemy by the words of our testimony. You have a story to tell. It’s a time capsule with contents far more valuable than a hula-hoop. 

Response: Heavenly Father, I thank you for your intervention in my life. You have given me a story to tell—a testimony to your amazing grace. Help me to carry that testimony to a future generation—a generation that is not yet born. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you testified to the saving power of Jesus? How has the Lord changed your life?