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
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.
