Good Friday. Ironically (but probably not) my reading landed me in John 18 today. I decided to just re-read John 17 and all the way until Jesus is laid in the tomb.
My heart was prepared to see something new but not knowing what would be, I just took it all in. And after all I read about Jesus' obedience, love and sacrifice, one question kept jumping out at me:
What happened to Pontius Pilate?
I thought this was kind of crazy. I couldn't help but be so thankful for such questions because I know they are ones you ask when you are steeped in the Word.
So I thought about it and concluded that it would only make sense for Pontius Pilate to be a changed man. He allowed Jesus to be crucified but secretly he KNEW he was the Son of God and proclaimed His innocence in every gospel account of Jesus' trial/death. He even gave Jesus a title on the cross of "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews" and declared "I have written what I have written" when someone questioned it. It seems that Pilate knew what he was doing and was not too sure where to stand. Or maybe he was just hoping Jesus "understood" that he had to crucify him or he might've been crucified himself. All in all, I would have thought something changed in Pilate's heart after such an occurrence. Especially after Jesus was resurrected!
So I did some research, and it turns out nothing changed in Pilate. In fact, he got more hostile and cruel. He was so destructive and oppressive that his death came after a slaughtering of Samaritans that he was responsible for ten years later. He was charged to go to Rome and he was forced to commit suicide (so he was assassinated, but framed).
I felt numb for a second after I read this... thinking what a horrible, lame man! How could he have ignored what happened! How could he have seen a glimpse of Truth and continue to have been such a coward! Why didn't he relinquish his reign and useless power?! Instead he kept doing what he did and in fact, got worse...
My immediate, sorrowful thought was... am I like Pilate?
Today, of all days, is a day of remembrance. To remember that Truth sacrificed itself on a cross for me. That I put Him there, just as much as Pontius Pilate did. Do I let it change me? Or do I continue to allow power, control, sin, hate, unforgiveness, or whatever else rule in my heart?
Who is this King of glory? Who is He to me? What's the point of all this if it doesn't d-e-e-p-l-y change me?
Have mercy on me, Lord. Thank you for your unending redemption and your unending atonement for me. Let the power of the Cross change me once again and transform my life.
Pam
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