Read John 18:28-40.
As I was reading through this passage, a number of random observations came to mind. It is ironic that:
- A leader of a Gentile nation (Pilate) is more honest in his judgment of Jesus than the Jewish leaders. How pride and wreckless determination can create so much blindness!
- The Jewish leaders needed to use Gentile law to rid themselves of Jesus. If the Jews thought so lowly of the Gentiles, how much lower did they stoop to kill Jesus?
- One man held the destiny of the other in his hands. Who held whose?
There is a lot going on here. The interaction of the different people make for a very interesting story. Pilate pressured by the Jews; Jesus knowing the certainty of His death; the disciples nowhere to be found; the crowds angered and disappointed in Jesus. Yet in each of these people(s), there is a little bit of us to be found. Who hasn’t felt the pressure to act against Jesus? Who hasn’t felt the fear of being associated with Jesus? Take some time today to consider how you can relate to the people in this situation, and then remember that Jesus died for you and for the people in this dramatic story.