365 Ways to Know God by Elmer Towns August 20

365 Ways to Know God by Elmer Towns

(Devotional Readings on the Names of God)

August 20

JESUS: MALEFACTOR

They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we

would not have delivered him up unto thee.

JOHN 18:30, KJV

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 Jews, "Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin?" (John 8:46, NLT). Pilate would testify, "I find no fault in Him" (19:6). Yet in the irony of this situation, the Jews 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 (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus took on the sin of the Jews, 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.

Reading: John 18:30-38

Key Thought: The world calls Jesus a Malefactor, but He is the Savior.