“When he [Pilate] learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at the time.” Luke 23:7
Pilate did not know what to do with Jesus – he eventually washed his hands of Him. I think he saw Jesus’ quiet eternal power juxtaposed against his fleeting one and it scared him. Herod feared him as well and it came out in mockery and hate. The priests and the scribes were so busy being envious that they missed His purpose. Their set-in-their-ways attitude clouded them from seeing He was who they had prayed so earnestly for- the Messiah.
Today people still do not know what to do with Jesus. Some turn from Him while others embrace Him. Yet His words still hold truth and power. His presence still changes lives. He still brings life to the dead. comfort to the troubled, peace to the anxious. Perhaps the most perplexing thing is that He give us the choice. Sure, the idea of releasing control to Him is scary, but like Pilate recognized, His is eternal. He loves you more deeply and understands you more thoroughly than is humanly possible – just as you are. He gave His life for you and nothing will make Him turn away from wanting a relationship with you.
Is Jesus just a character in a story to you or the story of your life? What do you do with Jesus today? He stands at the door of your heart …waiting.
Dear Lord, You alone are worthy of worship and praise. Continue to teach me to hear Your voice that wishes to guide my life and comfort my soul. Today and every day, let me open my heart to You and invite You into my life to walk beside me and work through me until that day comes when every knee will bow at the sound of Your name. Amen.
“He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-” John 1: 10-12
