Pilate and Herod

PRAYER PRACTICE

Lectio – Read today’s passage through once. Then spend some time praying and asking God to show you what you need to pay attention to in the text. Read it again. Now ask God to help you see what this text, and the part that has stood out, may mean for you. Don’t expect to get a clear word every time but always be ready to really hear from God through His Word.

DAILY READING

Luke 23:1-25

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

The Perfect Solution

by Judy Webb

Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, "I find no basis for a charge against this man." (Luke 23:4)

I wonder if Jesus took encouragement from these words or if the fact the chief priests and the crowd wouldn't give up added to the anguish. I can only imagine the mixed emotions of the moment. Jesus was human, so even He could become sad at all that was going on around Him. He knew His destiny and accepted it, but I wonder if, even at this point of his ministry, if he didn't pray for a solution to this predicament. But then, Jesus was the solution.

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. (verses 14-15)

Peer Pressure: Pilate and Herod were in agreement, Jesus was innocent. So why did Pilate listen to the crowds? Why did he cave to the pressure imposed by the chief priests and angry mob? Why did Pilate buckle to their demands? Wasn't he the one in charge? Can you relate to any of this? Has there been a time in your life when peer pressure was stronger than your convictions and beliefs? Have you ever chosen safety over doing the right thing?

Public Pressure: Has public opinion been a deciding factor when moving forward in life? I know it is more comfortable to feel like we are not alone when making big decisions. It is easy to do the popular thing as opposed to the right thing. Pilate knew the right thing to do, but he didn't have the courage to do it. He chose the comfortable thing when he turned Jesus over to the crowd. 

These shouts which rose up from the crowds to Crucify Him came from many of the same people who shouted praises and Hosannas to Jesus just days before. What happened? What changed? There were those in the crowds who were there to plant seeds of hate. They influenced people to turn against Jesus. This is not unlike the hate we experience today, when, as Christians we take a stand for God's Word, when we believe and teach our children from the Word not the world’s point of view.

Pass the Buck; Pilate and Herod gave in to the crowds. They allowed their desire for popularity be the determining factor in their decisions. They are guilty of turning an innocent man over to be killed. The chief priests and religious scholars felt threatened by the mission and ministry of Jesus, so they removed the threat. It does seem like even today; many feel the same need to remove the threat.

The ministry and mission of Christians is something to be feared and challenged. And Jesus is still the solution.