Christian Reflection and Prayer

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Lenten Devotion

And when he (Pilate) learned that He (Jesus) belonged
to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him over to Herod, who
was himself in Jerusalem at that time (Luke 23:7).

Read Luke 23:5-7.

The judge pronounced his verdict, yet permits the
prosecution to challenge that verdict and continue raising
objections. Clearly, Pilate is intimidated.

The Jewish high priest is urgent. He has brought along the
full high court and a large company of guards and servants.
But not even their sheer number is enough to convince
Pilate of the seriousness of this matter. Perhaps Pilate
thinks Jesus only has a local following that his Roman
squads can easily put down. So they report the wide scope
of Jesus' ministry to convince the governor that Jesus is a
greater danger. They claim Jesus has been stirring up
people all over Judea, from Galilee, even here to Jerusalem.

Suddenly, Pilate sees an opening, an opportunity to get rid
of this whole sorry affair. If Jesus is a Galilean, the trial can
be switched to Herod, the Roman governor over Galilee.
Fortunately, he is staying in Jerusalem for the feast. Let
Herod deal with the Jewish high priest and Jesus.

Pilate watches the procession head over to Herod's palace.
As the footsteps die away in the distance and silence
descends over his courts, Pilate may well breathe a sigh of
relief. But by taking this action he has completely undercut
his own verdict. He declared Jesus not guilty, so why is He
still on trial? Why is His life still in jeopardy?

And one more thing Pilate fails to consider: if somehow
Jesus is returned to him, it will be clear to the Jewish leaders
that all they have to do is keep pressing, and Pilate will
eventually give in.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, You suffered such injustice to fulfill God's
righteous plan and set free sinners like me. Give me a
grateful heart, and genuine love for the people around me
that need to hear of Your love. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)