Matthew 27:19-24 [NIV] | 19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. 21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered. 22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” 23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” 24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

The crowd before Jesus called for the release of Barabbas. Pilate was torn and did not know what to do with Jesus. Perhaps Pilate hoped to let Jesus go as well. Luke records that Pilate said, “He has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will punish him and then release him” (Luke 23:15–16). Pilate’s wife did not barge onto the scene confessing newfound faith in the accused Messiah, but she was unsettled by a dream and wanted to cut a wide path around any complicity in a plot to harm him. She was unduly troubled in ways she had never felt before. What was Pilot to do?

The crowd had other plans: Let Him be crucified! This was a remarkable request—crucifixion was the Roman penalty for rebellion and abhorrent to the Jews. Pilate was losing ground; the huge crowd in the courtyard before him seemed to be on the verge of a riot. Pilate asked the people to specify some crime that would make Jesus worthy of death: What evil has He done? he asked. The accusations against Jesus were flimsy, but the crowd kept on shouting more wildly and loudly that they wanted Jesus crucified.

For Pilate, there was never a doubt about Jesus’ innocence. Three separate times he declared Jesus not guilty. He could not understand what made these people want to kill Jesus, but his fear of the pressure the Jews would place on him made him decide to allow the crucifixion. Pilot went against what he knew was right. In desperation, he chose to do wrong. We share a common humanity with Pilate. At times we know the right and choose the wrong. God speaks to us through His Holy Spirit. It’s time we listen and follow God and choose what is right.

Prayer:
Lord, help me hear the voice of the Holy Spirit within me. Lead me on a path that chooses right over wrong. Guide me when I am called upon to make decisions that impact others. In Jesus name. Amen

Action Plan:
Even in the most challenging of time, I will seek God’s will and choose what is right.

Pastor Rod Lindemann
I Can’t | Jesus Can | Jesus Can Through Me