In John’s gospel, Pilate brings Jesus out to the crowds after he has been flogged (and in a vain attempt to derail his crucifixion) –
Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” (John 19:4-5 NIV)
We who follow Christ echo Pilate’s exclamation and add to it “Here is our God!” We cannot understand the God of the gospels without the cross.
In keeping with the call of Pilate to look, take a few moments today to look at this slide show from the Metropolitan Museum of Art depicting the crucifixion in art:
