Luke 2: 6-12, John 18:28-19:16; 10:17-18

This message focuses on some of the villains in the story of Jesus' Passion. The Jewish king and the Roman governor were people with vast wealth, influence, and power in that part of the world and in that period of history. Herod and Pilate had power to sentence Jesus, and they were used to using their power on a whim. However, they didn't have the divine right to take Jesus' life ; only Jesus, himself, had that authority. They could offer his execution, but only he had the power to offer his life for you and me. Thank God he loves us so much!