Christian Reflection and Prayer

Lenten Meditation

Pilate's Gamble

Scripture:

Read John 18:38-40.

"But you have a custom that I should
release one man for you at the Passover.
So do you want me to release to you the
King of the Jews?" (John 18:39).

Pilate won't listen to Jesus; he is too
busy trying to work this out himself. How
can he force the Jewish authorities to
accept his decision to set Jesus free?
Maybe one of the local customs might do
the trick. It was implemented to improve
Roman-Jewish relations. At the Passover
feast, the Roman governors released a
prisoner the Jewish crowds requested.
Normally it was a popular person who had
been imprisoned for speaking against the
Roman government. This time Pilate would
offer the choice between Jesus and the
most dangerous criminal in the prison:
Barabbas.

This was a stroke of genius! Jesus offered
no true threat to public safety and clearly
Barabbas was as dangerous to the Jewish
leaders as he was to the Romans. But Pilate
misjudges the Jewish leaders, who are
convinced Jesus is a much greater threat to
them and to the Jewish nation than Barabbas.

When the leaders convince the crowd to
demanded Barabbas' release and crucify
Jesus, Pilate finds himself in a far worse
position than if he had simply set Jesus free
and lived with the consequences.

Whenever we shun the responsibilities God
gives us-to speak up for those who are
defenseless, to bring up our children in the
fear and knowledge of God or those in any
other area of life-we are just like Pontius
Pilate.

Jesus didn't step away from His responsibility
but freely took the punishment of our sins upon
Himself.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank You for paying the price for all the
times I walk away from the responsibilities You
give me. Give me courage and commitment to
step forward and do what You want me to do.
Amen.

Lutheran Hour Ministries

Lenten Meditation

Jesus' Witness to Pilate

Scripture:

Read John 18:33-38a.

(Jesus said) 'Everyone who is of the
truth listens to My voice'" (John 18:37b).

The true significance of Christ's comments
to Pilate is simply lost on Pilate. He has
other things on his mind. They are things
he thinks are far more important like saving
his career. His attention is squarely on
himself and what impact this trial will make
on his future.

But God does two things to turn Pilate's
attention to the innocent man standing
before him. First, Pilate's wife sends him a
message, "Have nothing to do with that
righteous man, for I have suffered much
because of Him today in a dream"
(Matthew 27:19). Second, God sends His
Son to speak to Pilate directly.

Jesus says, "Everyone who is of the truth
listens to My voice." This is a challenge to
Pilate: is truth important to him? Obviously,
he is taking great risks to set an innocent
man free, but does he want to hear the
truth Jesus came to bring?

Many times in our lives Jesus' still, small
voice speaks to us through the clamor and
clatter of our daily lives. Are we willing to
put it all aside to listen to the One who
offers us eternal life?

Pilate gives his famous reply, "What is
truth?" Sadly, he isn't interested in what
Jesus has to say, he just wants to end
the discussion.

Jesus offers you and me words of truth
and eternal life. But how often do we
dismiss Him and cut Him off like Pilate
did? How often are we distracted by
earthly things we think are more
important?

PRAYER:

Lord, thank You for speaking words
of truth to me. Forgive me for cutting
You short. Please speak, for Your
servant is now listening.
Amen.

Lutheran Hour Ministries

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