April 10 - In the Silence

Matthew 27:11-26

“But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge - to the great amazement of the governor” (v. 14).  Why didn’t Jesus say anything?  Why didn’t he protest?  Because the outcome was already decided, and he knew it.  Fighting the charges would have been counterproductive.  He knew what must be done and his silence spoke volumes.

Jesus’ lack of objection frustrated Pilate, especially when his wife told him “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man” (v. 19).  Pilate couldn’t understand why Jesus wouldn’t speak up and defend himself.  As the uproar began and the crowd shouted louder and louder “Crucify Him!” Pilate realized things were out of his control and he washed his hands saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood” (v. 24).

Up until this point, Pilate thought he was the one in control, but Jesus knew the truth – God was in control the whole time.  The outcome wasn’t determined by Pilate or the chief priests and elders or even the condemning crowd.  They had a part to play, but God was always in charge.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that today’s reading talks about washing hands.  It’s something we hear every day.  We’re told we MUST wash our hands in order to stop the spread of the virus.  Though Pilate didn’t realize it at the time, washing his hands is what saved us.  It was an integral part of God’s story.  If Pilate would have released Jesus, sin would have reigned.

So, let us remember that God is in control.  We may not realize or understand it now, but we all have a part to play.  Listen for your cue.

Be merciful as God is merciful.

March 12
Read Luke 13:1-9 and reflect on the passage.

Karma is not a Christian doctrine. Yes, “you will reap what you sow…” (Galatians 6:7-8), but in this instance, Jesus is chastising the people for presuming that the people who were persecuted by Pilate or died in a construction accident had it coming. Looking at another person’s tragedy and presuming that it must be a result of some terrible sin, in Jesus’ view, is wrong. Instead, Jesus takes the opportunity to call the people to repent for looking at another’s circumstances and drawing uncharitable conclusions.

Jesus then goes on to use the parable of the unfruitful fig tree to again demonstrate God’s great patience with His people. What would it look like for us to pattern our lives on the patience of God?

(John 19:1-3)

After Pilate sentenced Jesus to die, the Roman soldiers made a crown out of thorns and placed it on Jesus’ head. Then they knelt in front of Him saying, “Hail, the King of the Jews!” But they didn’t really mean what they were saying. Jesus was a Jew, and the Romans did not like Jewish people. So they used their words to make fun of Jesus.

1. The same crowds that cheer for Jesus on Palm Sunday demand that Pilate crucify Jesus and release Barabbas. Why do you think that might have happened? What does this station tell you about how people relate to Jesus?

2. Which crowd best represents your faith right now—are you still cheering for Him as King, or have you been tempted to turn your back on Him?

3. What is with the crown of thorns? Why would Pilate and other leaders go out of their way to mock Jesus sarcastically as a king? What does this station tell you about Jesus?

—Aaron Thompson

Luke: 23: 13-25

    Rejected by the Gentiles

My first taste of being unjustly accused was in kindergarten. It was play time and the class had just finished a painting project. Each masterpiece was strategically laid out on the floor to dry in the kitchen area. At some point two of my classmates ran through that area and over the top of the paintings. The teacher was furious when she discovered the footprints. She had warned us all not to go into that space. She demanded we all gather around and admit who had run over the paintings.

One student hesitantly raised her hand. The teacher said, “Who was with you?” The girl pointed at the child next to me, but Mrs. Gerhartz thought I was the culprit. She raised her voice again telling the girl to sit behind the piano. Up to that point, my favorite teacher, then took me by the hand, pulled me over to the piano, slapped my hands and forcefully sat me down behind the piano with the other offender. I sobbed.

Things changed that day.

Jesus was brought before Herod and wrongly accused by the Jews. Then he was presented to Pilate and condemned by Gentiles.

Things changed that day.

I do not mean to minimize the intensity of Jesus plight by comparing it to my kindergarten experience but things do change as a result of learning to follow the will of God and live our lives as Jesus did. I have had many experiences since that day in kindergarten when my character, intentions or faith were wrongly judged. Lashing out never brings about positive results. Grace always wins.

As we step into the Father’s will it is no longer about our feelings or hurts. Worldly power is temporary. True power is sacrifice.

No matter what our age, when we make it about God and not ourselves, we don’t feel the pain in the same way. When we leave things in the hands of the Father we truly can get through anything.

“When your eyes are on the storm, you wonder if I love you still.

But when your eyes are on the cross, you know I always have and I always will.”

(Lyrics by Casting Crowns)

Listen to/Read Luke23:13-25

Life Isn't Fair

When my kids were little, we had family rules posted on the refrigerator, perhaps 5 in all. The Number One rule was, “Life isn’t fair.” Whenever one of the kids would say, “That’s not fair!”, Brenda or I could reply, “Go see rule Number 1.”

(Rule Number 2 was, “You must pay taxes”.  Brenda and I could use rule Number 2 to grab a spoonful of whatever delicious treat, such as ice cream, that was being enjoyed. When Rule Number 2 was invoked, inevitably Rule Number 1 was also discussed.)

Today’s reading, Luke 23:1-25, is an example of life not being fair. Jesus was put on trial to face bogus charges. The Gentile leadership (represented by Pilate) found no crime committed. The Jewish leadership (represented by Herod) also found no crime committed. Yet Jesus was sentenced to death, simply to appease a mob of unbelievers.  This certainly was not fair to Jesus.

Jesus’ rejection by the world should not surprise us. The Bible is a history of humans rejecting God and his commands. Adam and Eve rejected God’s commands. Humanity rejected God and God then sent a flood to start over with Noah. Years later mankind rejected God when they built the Tower of Babel to honor pagan gods. (The Tower was a ziggurat, which Sumerian records tell us were “footstools of the gods”.) Even after Moses led the Jews out of Egypt, their history is one of rejecting God.

 In spite of our sinfulness, Jesus died on the cross to take away our sins, so that we may live with him forever and ever. Jesus gets punished for our sins and we get eternal life. By anyone’s account, getting the opposite of what we deserve certainly is not fair!

How do we respond to such “unfairness”? Jesus answered this question. He told us to let others know about him and make disciples of them. He told us to love our neighbors and to love God.

We deserve death, yet we are blessed because of Jesus.

Fortunately for us, life is not fair!