Dirty Work

Warriors Arise: April 17, 2022

John 18:28-40 (NKJV) Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover. 29 Pilate then went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?”

30 They answered and said to him, “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.”

31 Then Pilate said to them, “You take Him and judge Him according to your law.”

Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,” 32 that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die.

33 Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

34 Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?”

35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?”

36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”

37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”

Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.

39 “But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”

40 Then they all cried again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

Did you see that? The high priest is looking for someone else to do the dirty work. Pilate tells them to take Jesus and deal with Him according to their laws. The high priest wanted the worst possible punishment; therefore, he wanted Jesus to suffer on the cross. While he was getting rid of Jesus, he could blame someone for doing it. In his mind this alleviated him of any responsibility to Jesus' death. With Jesus dying on the cross it would be a Roman issue not a church issue.

The high priest was so desperate to get rid of Jesus he didn't even realize he was going along with the prophesies he had read numbers times. He was so blinded in his mind, he could see what the he was being used to fulfill Scripture; therefore, he was solidifying Jesus to be the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God.

I have no doubt Pilate can see through the conniving priests. He saw how they played with words and didn't offer any facts. Pilate asks Jesus twice, "Are You the King of the Jews?" Jesus hadn't bothered the Roman leadership. He hadn't come forward seeking to threaten Pilate, Herod or Caesar. Jesus was not out to rule Roman lands. Their leadership was not pending upon this Man who responded with such dignity, peace, and grace. These characteristics displayed to Pilate only made Jesus seem more authentic not less.

It is as if Pilate believes Jesus is who He says He is and He rules where He says He rules. He wasn't there to take his position or anyone else's. Pilate just wants to know the truth and has found Jesus to be innocent. He has done nothing wrong. So, he tries to get out of this mess the high priest has gotten him into. Sure, he has to power to condemn Jesus and crucify Him but instead he chooses to take the matter out of the hands of the high priest and even relinquish his own responsibilities. I would think He would be pretty sure the people will not want this Man crucified. So, he is removing the high priests from pressuring him to do something that is wrong. Jesus has healed them, delivered them. He brought peace and hope across the land. He is not trying to lead a rebellion against the Romans. Pilate knows He has done nothing wrong. He decides to let the people decide.

• Surely, they will speak out to save Him as He has worked so many miracles across the land.

• Surely, there are enough people who are grateful for what this Man has done.

• Surely, they will remember what He has done.

But the people don't want to remember. They are not grateful. They will not speak on His behalf.

Why? Because the people are afraid of the law because they didn't understand love. Jesus came and tried to teach them to love while the priests threatened to condemn their souls if they didn't follow the law. Jesus didn't threaten the people, He loved the people.

Today, people don't want to come to church because they think God is all about rules. But that couldn't be further from the truth. God is all about love. When we know the truth, we cannot condemn the Lord. Pilate came in contact with the truth and He would not condemn Him. What a helpless situation! He tried to find a way out but the people whoa re afraid are easily turned into a mob.

Father, I ask for Your truth to be revealed. I desire to seek the truth and live by the truth. I want to know Your love and come out from under the rules. I am not in relationship with You because I have to be. I am in relationship with You because You have loved me and continue to love me. In turn, I want to serve You because I love You. You make Yourself known to me and I listen. I watch, learn and receive. Therefore, I will respond in love in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy Hand

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