Judgement of Jesus

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The Word Was in the Beginning
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John 19:4-6

The Message

 ^4-5Pilate went back out again and said to them, "I present him to you, but I want you to know that I do not find him guilty of any crime." Just then Jesus came out wearing the thorn crown and purple robe.
   Pilate announced, "Here he is: the Man."
 ⁶When the high priests and police saw him, they shouted in a frenzy, "Crucify! Crucify!"
   Pilate told them, "You take him. You crucify him. I find nothing wrong with him."

For Reflection 

Politics, politics, politics.  Pilate could find no legitimate charge under Roman law with which to charge Jesus.  Yet he mocked him and gave him over to the Jewish leaders to be crucified.  These Jewish leaders were also political appointees of the Roman rule.  Perhaps, even if Pilate found Christ's message interesting, he decided to give the local leadership what they wanted.  It was of little consequence to the Roman occupation, but, if this would keep the peace, why not?  Perhaps, also, Pilate mocked Jesus with the hope that the scourging injury and crown of thorns would satisfy the accusers.  But, it was not God's plan.

Pilate's objective was to dispose of this gnat itch of a mess in the most expedient way.  He was centered on the Empire's control of the region under his charge.  From his perspective, giving Jesus over was for the greater good of the Empire.  The high priests sought the greater good of the status quo -- the protection of their positions of authority and the continuing spoils of their corruption.

What about you? To what extent is the greater good in you scheme of political decisions God-centered?

Pray

that you will approach all decisions from a God-centered perspective.  Pray that you will be able to measure commonly accepted cultural-centered assumptions of the common good with God-centered assumptions.  Pray for the wisdom to know the difference.