Today’s Podcast
Today’s Bible reading plan:
Read it in a year – Proverbs 7
see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)
Today’s Devotional
Matthew 27:11
Jesus was standing before the governor, Pilate.
Pilate: Are You the King of the Jews?
Jesus: So you say.
What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?
Now it’s morning. The priests have been awake all night getting their plans together to take Jesus and the right charges to Pilate to make sure an execution happened on this day. The charges must stand up to the scrutiny of their governor so the punishment was swift and permanent. These priests wanted Jesus out of their hair forever. So what charge could they bring. The only answer? Changes against the emperor himself. This Man talked about the kingdom of heaven, let’s tell Pilate Jesus says He claims He is King of the Jews and wants to overthrow Caesar. That will work!
The sun isn’t up yet, but days start early in Judea. The sun gets hot early so business starts well before the sun comes up and stops when it gets high in the sky. It’s just too hot to do much. So before the sun rises, the priests are at Pilate’s palace knocking on the door. They can’t come in because this is Gentile territory and they can’t dirty themselves by entering. They won’t have time for the cleansing ritual before the Sabbath. Servants go to find the governor who reluctantly comes to the porch to speak with these crazy Jews. He doesn’t understand their customs, but after being their for several years he has grown accustomed to them and grants an audience on their terms. He must keep peace with them if he is to keep favor with the emperor.
I can imagine the crazy conversation. “Pilate, we want you to kill this man for us.” “Why? What has He done?” “He says he wants to be king of our people, that is insurrection against Rome.” “Do you recognize Him as king?” “Well, no.” “Then what’s the problem?” “I thought you priests were the authority in this place. So what if He says He wants to be king? He isn’t and He’s just one man without an army. What do I care?” “But you don’t understand. He’s also called Himself God.” “So, at least you can see Him, you can’t even see the God you guys say you worship. What do I care about that?”
Finally, they convince Pilate to take the case. And He questions Jesus. I expect that conversation went well, too. We only get a few of the words spoken, but I expect there were a lot more than those recorded in Matthew.
“So, Jesus, these guys put your life in my hands. What do you have to say for yourself?” No answer. “They say you want to be king. Is that right?” No answer. “They say you think you’re a god. Do you think you’re a god?” No answer. “So, are you deaf and dumb? You do understand I have the power to set you free, don’t you?” No answer. “Listen. You seem like a nice enough guy. I’ve heard you’re doing some good things for people out in the community. Why don’t you just fall in line with these priests of yours. Things will go a lot smoother for both of us. What do you say?” No answer. “Your refusal to talk to me isn’t getting you very far. I can have you executed on the spot if I want. You know that, don’t you?” No answer.
I think their conversation went on for a while like that. Eventually Pilate got tired of the questions with no answers and asked a final time. “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answers, “So you say.” Notice it’s still Pilate’s words. Jesus is the King of kings, but it’s Pilate’s acclamation, not Jesus’ that brings His condemnation. But with those words, Pilate turns Him over to the crowd. He tries to wash his hands of the affair, but he, as is each of us, is culpable in Jesus death on the cross.
So what do we learn from this exchange? Once again we see Jesus is silent before His accuser. There is no need for argument. As victor over sin and death and the grave, Jesus needs no defense. He has already won the victory. Jesus won His personal human struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was about to win the cosmic struggle over sin in just a few hours. Defense just wasn’t required. He was on the offense now. It might not look like it from the world’s perspective, but that didn’t matter and Jesus knew it. The battle was won!
When we understand that when we are on His side, we are part of the victory team. We don’t need to defend the faith, we just need to live it. We don’t need to argue our position, we just need to stand on the truth of God’s word. We don’t need to cower in the face of the enemy, the battle is already won. The enemy has already been defeated. He just doesn’t know it yet. God has won! When we believe in Him, we are victorious, too. Defense? Not anymore. We’re on the offense and the very gates of hell cannot stand against the church on the offensive. Jesus didn’t argue. We don’t need to either.
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