Christian Reflection and Prayer

Lenten Meditation

Scripture:

TEXT: "Pilate said to them, 'Take Him yourselves
and judge Him by your own law.' ..." (John 18:31a).

Only John's Gospel shows us Jesus' trial before
Annas the former high priest. Then John leaves
out Jesus' official trial before Caiaphas the high
priest. Instead, he jumps straight to Jesus' trial
before Pontius Pilate.

This trial is very strange. Jesus is brought into
the official residence of the Roman military
governor, but the Jewish authorities refuse to
enter. Though they have no problem railroading
the innocent Son of God to His death, they are
careful not to defile themselves by entering the
home of a Gentile. So Pilate is forced to go back
and forth between Jesus and them.

The trial is a bitter power struggle between Pilate
and the Jewish authorities. Pilate quickly concludes
Jesus is innocent and wants to set Him free. But
finding himself in a very precarious position with
the emperor, Pilate must handle this case very
delicately; he especially cannot afford to lose
control and see a riot start.

On the other side, the Jewish authorities are
desperate to have Jesus executed, but they are
not in the position where they can do it themselves.
Years before the Roman governor had removed the
right for the Jewish authorities to inflict capital
punishment. So if they want Jesus dead, they have
to convince Pilate one way or another. So we see
the battle begin-with Jesus' life hanging in the
balance.

The truth is that God is in control of what He is
doing for each of us by Christ's crucifixion, as we
shall see in the coming days

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, all around us people
are plotting and scheming for control. Many times
we too want to find some way to control events
happening in our own lives. Remind us that You
are firmly in control so we may rest in Your hands
and watch You work for our good. Amen.

Lutheran Hour Ministries