Daily PresenceНамуна

In today’s reading, we encounter Jesus’ crucifixion, one of the most painful and heartbreaking stories in scripture. However, that is not what I want to focus on today. Today I’m focusing on Pilate. This Roman governor had Jesus’ life in His hands but chose not to free Him, but the question is: did Pilate believe that Jesus was who he said He was? His first question to Jesus was: “Are you the king of the Jews?” And in a very Jesus way, He answers back with a confrontational question: “is that your own idea, or did others talk to you about me?” This piercing question speaks directly to our dilemma today. Throughout the rest of their interactions, this man named Pilate seems to acknowledge the power, authority, and identity of Jesus, but not fully. He understands it enough to not want his hands dirty with his death, yet he still tells the Jews: “here is your king”, and prepared a notice that read, “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” He still had a purple garment and a crown.

I don’t know if Pilate believed it or not. To me, it seems like he was unsure. Like a part of him did, but another part did not. What I do know is that he attempted to not dirty up his hands with the crucifixion of Jesus, but those hands were still stained. He gave them over to those who had no legal authority under the Roman Empire to crucify, not just that, but they were also using a Roman method of execution. As for the Roman Empire and Pilate, they were guilty by association.

As for us, we are guilty by association. We have associated with sin and pierced Jesus with our transgressions. We may not have been the ones who pierced his side, but we have been the ones who break His heart through our idols and sins. Regardless, Jesus says, “Forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” - Luke 23:34. There is no condemnation for those that are in Christ. Jesus has granted us absolution for all of our sins. As I said, I don’t know if Pilate believed or not, but I know this, “Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave them the right to become children of God.” If there is hope for Pilate, there is hope for you and for me. We have to believe in His name!