They answered and said unto him,
If he were not a malefactor,
we would not have delivered him up unto thee.
Those who had Jesus arrested called him a Malefactor, which means “evildoer.” They had to bribe their witnesses to lie, so Jesus’ accusers knew that He was not a Malefactor. Still they accused Him, even though Jesus was perfect and without sin. He could say to the Jewish people who were accusing Him, “Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin?” (John 8:46). Pilate would testify, “I find no fault in Him” (John 19:6). Yet in the irony of this situation, these people accused an innocent man of being a Malefactor, when in actuality their lies made them the guilty ones. Jesus did not sin, but He was made to be sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus took on the sin of the Jewish people, the sin of the world and your sin.
Lord Jesus, I know that You are the perfect Son of God. I also know that You became sin for me. Thank You for Your death for my sins.
The names that were given to Jesus reflect the roles that people projected onto Him. Jesus was a Malefactor in the eyes of those who hated Him. They hated Him because He attacked their dead religious rituals. Jesus was a rival “religious leader” because He gave the multitudes hope, which is something that the other religious leaders couldn’t do. Jesus taught the truth, lived a perfect life and established a Kingdom of peace and righteousness.
Lord Jesus, the world has called You a Malefactor, but I call You my Savior. The world calls You an Evildoer, but I call You my Redeemer. Amen.
The world calls Jesus a Malefactor, but He is the Savior.
