Before we dive into the scripture for today…. I want to say that this passage of scripture has fascinated me for YEARS. I have researched and researched, because it leaves me with so many questions. If you don’t know this about me, I am what would be considered a cinephile (a lover of the cinema). This passage of scripture fills my mind with such imagery, and has the potential to be a truly great story…there was a film made about it 64 years ago, based off of a book, based off of this passage of scripture, from a man who like me, was fascinated and wanted more to the story. So, now that I have really built this up, let’s dive in.
Jesus vs Barabbas…. The crowd was going wild. During this time, in honor of Passover, Pilate was to release a prisoner…Pilate, knew Jesus was innocent, his wife even had a dream and warned him of it…but yet when it came time to release a prisoner, the crowd wanted Barabbas. Pilate realizing the plot, but also knowing that if he ignored his gut instinct to release an innocent man for an actual convicted criminal like Barabbas, going against what the Jewish leaders were demanding, would be the end of his reign as governor, was conflicted. He tried several times to get them to choose Jesus, even having Jesus beaten, and still offering them Jesus over Barabbas again…. but the crowd DEMANDED Barabbas. Then we get to the major point of our devo, Matthew 27:24-26:
“When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”
All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”
Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.”
Pilate knew. He knew Jesus was innocent, but to save his own skin, he let an actual criminal go free, and sentenced an innocent man to die. Now, we know that this had to happen, we know that Jesus had to die, just as he had warned…. but Pilate is still a cautionary tale for us all. He didn’t take a stand. He didn’t do what was right when he needed to. HE KNEW IT! He was a coward, he gave in, he compromised himself, he made the choice to not make a choice, he washed his hands of it…for the sake of power and position. I am beyond grateful that it worked out in the end, because nothing was going to stop God’s plan, but it is painful to see the compromise of Pilate.
Now, for you and me, I have to ask the question…..Are you Pilate? Are you close to becoming Pilate? If the time hasn’t come for you to take a stand for truth, it will come. You have to decide before you need to decide, are you going to compromise what is right for any temporary thing?! If you aren’t sure, or if you are just planning to deal with that situation when it arises…WARNING…you may not be ready, and compromise may soon be in your future. Be wise, take a stand NOW, or else you may reap the bad consequences of being passive. Let Pilate be a warning for you now, instead of a lesson you have to learn from later. Choose to take a stand!
Jesus vs Barabbas…. The crowd was going wild. During this time, in honor of Passover, Pilate was to release a prisoner…Pilate, knew Jesus was innocent, his wife even had a dream and warned him of it…but yet when it came time to release a prisoner, the crowd wanted Barabbas. Pilate realizing the plot, but also knowing that if he ignored his gut instinct to release an innocent man for an actual convicted criminal like Barabbas, going against what the Jewish leaders were demanding, would be the end of his reign as governor, was conflicted. He tried several times to get them to choose Jesus, even having Jesus beaten, and still offering them Jesus over Barabbas again…. but the crowd DEMANDED Barabbas. Then we get to the major point of our devo, Matthew 27:24-26:
“When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”
All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”
Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.”
Pilate knew. He knew Jesus was innocent, but to save his own skin, he let an actual criminal go free, and sentenced an innocent man to die. Now, we know that this had to happen, we know that Jesus had to die, just as he had warned…. but Pilate is still a cautionary tale for us all. He didn’t take a stand. He didn’t do what was right when he needed to. HE KNEW IT! He was a coward, he gave in, he compromised himself, he made the choice to not make a choice, he washed his hands of it…for the sake of power and position. I am beyond grateful that it worked out in the end, because nothing was going to stop God’s plan, but it is painful to see the compromise of Pilate.
Now, for you and me, I have to ask the question…..Are you Pilate? Are you close to becoming Pilate? If the time hasn’t come for you to take a stand for truth, it will come. You have to decide before you need to decide, are you going to compromise what is right for any temporary thing?! If you aren’t sure, or if you are just planning to deal with that situation when it arises…WARNING…you may not be ready, and compromise may soon be in your future. Be wise, take a stand NOW, or else you may reap the bad consequences of being passive. Let Pilate be a warning for you now, instead of a lesson you have to learn from later. Choose to take a stand!