Pleasing People
Scripture Passage: John 18:38b-19:11 (NASB)
And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no guilt in Him. 39 But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews?” 40 So they cried out again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a robber.
Pilate then took Jesus and scourged Him. 2 And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and put a purple robe on Him; 3 and they began to come up to Him and say, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and to give Him slaps in the face. 4 Pilate came out again and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you so that you may know that I find no guilt in Him.” 5 Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the Man!” 6 So when the chief priests and the officers saw Him, they cried out saying, “Crucify, crucify!” Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for I find no guilt in Him.” 7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by that law He ought to die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God.”
8 Therefore when Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid; 9 and he entered into the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?” 11 Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”
SUMMARY
Pilate says that he finds no guilt in Jesus and asks the Jews if they want to release Jesus, as their Passover custom allows. But the Jews say that they want Barabbas the robber to be released instead and are determined to see Jesus be crucified. Pilate again says to them that he finds no guilt in Jesus. But the Jews tell him that they need to abide by their law, which says that anyone who claims to be the Son of God ought to die. Pilate is even more afraid after hearing this statement and asks Jesus where He is from. Jesus remains silent. Pilate informs Jesus that he has power to release or crucify Him. But Jesus simply tells him that NO ONE has the authority over Him unless God allows, and that the people who delivered him to Pilate are sinners, not He.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
In today’s QT passage, we see Pilate torn between Jesus and the Jews. He repeatedly says to the Jews that he finds no guilt in Jesus (vv. 18:38b, 19:4,19:6). Pilate is even afraid (v. 19:8), and agonizes deeply over the decision he has to make regarding whether to release or crucify Jesus. He doesn’t want to crucify Jesus because he knows the truth, but he is also fearful of what people will think of him if he releases Jesus. It appears that Pilate is trying to find a way to justify his innocence; he keeps saying that he’s only releasing Jesus to satisfy the Jews. He is making excuses and blaming other people for his acts of injustice and dishonesty.
My heart aches as I meditate on this passage because I see so much of myself in Pilate. I, too, am busy making excuses in justifying my sins, my lack of faith and love during this time of the pandemic. It feels like I live everyday in so much fear, worry and anxiety in the name of the pandemic and NOT in the name of Jesus. I try to justify myself, saying that I am only letting my emotions go astray because of the troubled times we live in. I am entitled and allowing myself to be faithless, irritable, downcast and bitter at God as I crucify all of the promises and the living words that Jesus has given me.
Yes… it is a difficult and truly agonizing time for many of us. But everyday, I am given two choices: Am I going to choose to trust God, His goodness, love and promises? Or, am I going to listen to the endless news of despair and hopelessness, letting Jesus and His words (as Pilate did) be crucified by my bitterness, anger and anxiety?
I really had to repent of my lack of faith, reexamine and rededicate my heart to God.
APPLICATION
I wonder if Pilate would have made the same choices if he was by himself. He kept asking the Jews what he should do, and ultimately made his decision based on the opinions of others. Once again, I commit to cultivate time in solitude with Jesus and His words. Of course just being alone is not enough. Sometimes my own thoughts can become my biggest hindrance. I must go to His Word. His words and promises have to be embedded in every part of my being so I can fight my doubts, fears, worries and anxiety with the power of His Word. So, I want to commit to really abide in His Word more. Instead of finishing my day in bed reading the news about COVID-19, I want to finish it reading and affirming His words every night.
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me for choosing to listen to the Jews — the world, news and my fleeting emotions — and letting go of You and Your promises and crucifying them over and over again in my heart. Forgive me for living my life always trying to please the world and caring so much about what the world says, instead of tuning into Your Word. Forgive me for making excuses, saying I am justified to feel this way because of the pandemic or whatever trials I may be going through. Lord, help me to stand firm. Sometimes, I cannot hear or see You because my sins are so great. May Your love and grace embrace me completely, purifying and enlightening me so I can always, always choose You and Your Words. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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