From Matthew 27:1-26
Throughout my own life, I’ve had a variety of opinions about Pilate. At times I’ve viewed him as a victim of circumstance, a man who is looking for a way to save Jesus but who’s hands are tied by the position he occupies. He offers a choice between Jesus and Barabbas because he knows that Jesus was only delivered on account of the jealous religious leaders. Other times I’ve viewed him as a weak man, someone who saw the right thing to do and didn’t have the strength to stand up to the crowds. As I learn more about the political situation that Pilate found himself in; however, I have come to the conclusion that Pilate was simply a man looking out for his own interests. He questions Jesus to satiate his own curiosity, he sends Jesus to Herod to try and make the whole thing someone else’s headache, he tries to save Jesus because of a warning from his wife, and he ultimately orders Jesus’ crucifixion to maintain civil order (his primary task from the Romans who put him in power).
It occurs to me that this provides a profound contrast. Pilate is an earthly ruler with power and influence and wealth, while Jesus is our heavenly King apparently at Pilate’s mercy. Pilate does all these things out of self-interest, while Jesus allows all these things to happen out of self-sacrificial love for His people. How many of us, if given the choice between Pilate’s position and Jesus’ position, would choose to be in chains instead of choosing to be in power? Despite everything we know about the Kingdom of God and the righteousness of faith, we still tend to cling to an earthly idea of what to aspire to. We would choose Pilate’s hubris over Jesus’ humility, Pilate’s wealth over Jesus’ poverty, and Pilate’s power over Jesus’ sacrifice. Thanks be to God that Jesus didn’t, that He chose to go to the cross for us, to stand in our place before God just like He stood in Barabbas’ place before Pilate! In that, He paved our way to be made right with God and gave us an example of how to live.
From Matthew 20:25-27, “you know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you, but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave.”
Focus on God
We are reminded in these verses that God graciously chose to humble Himself for our sake.
Function in Our Lives
We are encouraged to chose the more humble path.
Topics to Pray About:
- Thank God for standing in our place.
- Confess to God the times where you seek after the power and influence of this world.
- Ask God for humility, compassion, mercy, and grace.
In His Service,
J. LeBorious