Pilate

When Pilate realized that nothing more could be done but that there would soon be a riot, he took a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying: “I take no responsibility for the death of this man. You must see to that yourselves.” Matthew 27:24, Phillips.
If at the first Pilate had stood firm, refusing to condemn a man whom he found guiltless, he would have broken the fatal chain that was to bind him in remorse and guilt as long as he lived. Had he carried out his convictions of right, the Jews would not have presumed to dictate to him. Christ would have been put to death, but the guilt would not have rested upon Pilate. But Pilate had taken step after step in the violation of his conscience. He had excused himself from judging with justice and equity, and he now found himself almost helpless in the hands of the priests and rulers. His wavering and indecision proved his ruin.
In fear and self-condemnation Pilate looked upon the Saviour. In the vast sea of upturned faces, His alone was peaceful. About His head a soft light seemed to shine. Pilate said in his heart, He is a God. Turning to the multitude he declared, I am clear of His blood. Take ye Him, and crucify Him. But … I pronounce Him a just man. May He whom He claims as His Father judge you and not me for this day’s work. Then to Jesus he said, Forgive me for this act; I cannot save You….
Pilate longed to deliver Jesus. But he saw that he could not do this, and yet retain his own position and honor. Rather than lose his worldly power, he chose to sacrifice an innocent life. How many, to escape loss or suffering, in like manner sacrifice principle. Conscience and duty point one way, and self-interest points another….
Pilate yielded to the demands of the mob. Rather than risk losing his position, he delivered Jesus up to be crucified. But … the very thing he dreaded afterward came upon him. His honors were stripped from him, he was cast down from his high office, and, stung by remorse and wounded pride, not long after the crucifixion he ended his own life. So all who compromise with sin will gain only sorrow and ruin. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12).
Conflict and Courage p. 324
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—–My coworker is asking for prayer for Ruth who is in her late 40s was diagnosed with lung cancer she is a loving Christian wife of 2 kids the mass is. 7cm by 7cm. Ronnie Jay
—–‘I need the prayers of those l love’ l lost my younger sister on the 23rd of July….and l am going crazy ,.sleep has departed from my eyes and my head is about to explode!….please pray for me and my family. KK
—–Asking for prayers for my husband and I as we consider an offer we received for our home. We are trying to move to the country and need discernment as this is the first time we have sold a house. Rachelle
—–I was informed my twin Granddaughters are scheduled for induced delivery August 2nd. They will be premature at 31 weeks. Please pray they gather enough weight. My son is working double shifts 6 days a week and is not able to cover bills…. absolutely heart wrenching. Family is pitching in doing best we can to help. Also prayers are needed for a woman who is on Kidney dialysis…..she was told about major accident. Two Family members are being air flighted to unknown hospital and others ambulance to closest hospital in California. I can’t imagine being stuck on a dialysis machine and getting such news. Lorrie
—–Your prayers requested as I present the gospel at Seth’s funeral this morning. Rich
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,
Many years ago, our first grade class visited a dairy that was a few blocks from our school. Our teacher lined us up in two lines, and watched as we walked in front of her. School was much different in those days. We were not allowed to talk to one another or two get out of line.
Once inside the dairy, we quietly looked around at all the new sights and sounds as we listened to the man who was guiding us through the dairy. The place smelled so strange. One room was filled with an odor so repulsive, that I wished that I could escape to breathe some fresh air. Looking around, I finally found the source of that nasty odor. On the floor, was a large puddle of milk that had spilled and soured and its stink affected the air in the whole room.
Over 65 years have passed since that day, yet the memory of that room with the sour milk and its disgusting smell has lingered far beyond any other memory of that day. Just so, the sins that we commit affects not only us, but our influence has an effect upon others. The things that we do, the words that we speak, our attitudes leave an impression on those around us—an impression that can last for many years. James tells us, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10 Solomon puts it this way, “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.” Ecc 10:1
We may be fairly successful at hiding our sins, but they do not stay hidden forever. Often circumstances cause the smell of our sins to be evident fairly quickly. Sometimes they are not revealed until the time Jesus spoke of in Luke 12:2,3: “For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.”
We exclaim in sorrow, as did Paul, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Rom 7:24 “We feel as did David, “For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.” Ps 37:4 We pray, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me….Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 51:1-12
Praise God! There is a way of forgiveness! “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. . . .My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 1:9-2:2 With words of assurance our Great Redeemer tells us, “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.” Isa 44:22 Wonderful Saviour! “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” Ps 103:10-14
Let us, today, while there is still time, accept His marvelous grace. Let us serve Him with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let us continually give Him all the praise, all the honor, all the glory for His forgiveness and great gift of salvation.
Rose