“Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged Him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head and arrayed Him in a purple robe. They came up to Him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ and struck Him with their hands. Pilate went out again and said to them, ‘See, I am bringing Him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in Him.’ So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, ‘Behold the man!'” John 19:1-5
Devotional Thought For The Day
Pilate is actually presented as a somewhat sympathetic character – at least in regard to Jesus, and in the context of some of the other barbaric things he did [see Luke 13:1]. Pilate is loathed, however, for his willingness to inhumanely beat and humiliate Jesus even though he acknowledged that he could “find no guilt in Him.” All of this was an effort to turn the hearts of Jesus’ accusers by making Him pitiable. Obviously, it didn’t work. Worst of all, Pilate revealed a gutless disregard for justice and duty when he acquiesced and sent Jesus off to be crucified – even though there was no guilt in Him. For this Pilate is forever known as the kind of pragmatic compromiser, selfish and self-preserving, who corrupts and perverts what is good, right, and just, out of cowardice, ambition, and greed. Sadly, there are many like him today – both in government and also within the leadership of the church. Lord, have mercy!
Pilate’s command – “Behold the man” – should also be heeded today. However, many have little concern for an injustice perpetrated nearly 2,000 years ago in a backwater region of the ancient Roman empire – even though Christianity has had far greater impact on Western civilization [for good and the blessedness of mankind] than anything else in human history. Yet there is no time to “behold” Jesus, to give Him consideration, to take in the whole story and God’s part in it, for today is a work day and the weekend is coming, and there are numerous other diversions [Spring vacation, Spring skiing, the NCAA’s, etc., etc.]. So, for many Good Friday is virtually forgotten, and Easter is little more than a secular occasion – or a mere trip back down memory lane for childhood remembrances. However, for those who do not behold Jesus – His suffering, death, and resurrection for the salvation of the world, they will behold Him on the Last Day, but oblivious to His love, mercy, forgiveness and salvation, they will be reduced to fear, trembling, and continued loathing of God.
Likewise, within the church, there is no benefit in covering over, softening, or reorienting the events of Good Friday – to somehow make these things more palatable to modern thinking. Those who do so, making Jesus a mere object of pity, and the crucifixion a “sign” of injustice against the poor and powerless, and those who deny the literal facts of Easter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ [God’s victory of life over death, and His free gift of salvation and eternal life], are little better than Pilate – gutless, self-serving, ambitious for worldly gain, and hateful toward God. Pilate should have looked more deeply at Jesus, and opened his own heart toward God’s Son, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. So also those who demanded His crucifixion, they should have looked more deeply at Jesus. We also should “behold the man” – with clear understanding of our place in this drama, that our sins caused His death, and that His death has taken away all of our sin and guilt, providing us peace with God and an eternal future of utter blessedness and joy. Yes, it is imperative, and all believers are compelled, to “behold the man,” not only today but every day of our lives!
It is painful, to be sure, but also the greatest peace and joy! Blessings will be on us abundantly as we spend the day beholding Jesus, our dear Savior and Lord, and immersing ourselves in such wondrous love.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, forbid that we should pass the day without thought of You, without grasping the enormity of Your love for us, without celebrating the gift of forgiveness, cleansing, and salvation You earned for us in Your bitter suffering and death, and without joining Your children in praise, worship, and thanksgiving to You. It is Good Friday, so wondrously good and blessed for us! Eternal thanks and praise be to You! Amen.