The Innocent in the Courtyard 9/15
The Innocent in the Courtyard
Now look across the courtyard. On one side stood Barabbas, the guilty rebel. On the other side stood Jesus. What a contrast. Barabbas had taken life. Jesus gave life. Barabbas brought fear. Jesus brought peace. Barabbas wounded people. Jesus healed people. Jesus was completely innocent. He had never told a lie or entertained an impure thought. He was good.
Everyone who examined Jesus reached the same verdict. Pilate said, "I find no fault in him." Pilate's wife called Him a "just man." The dying thief said, "This man hath done nothing amiss." The centurion declared, "Certainly this was a righteous man." Jesus was the perfect, sinless Son of God. He did not deserve to die.
Pilate knew Jesus was innocent. But he did not have the courage to act on what he knew. He tried to wash his hands of the matter. He thought he could stay neutral. But you cannot wash guilt off with water. You cannot stay neutral about Jesus. He forces a decision. What will you do with Jesus who is called Christ?
“Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.” (Matthew 27:22)
Prayer: Pray for courage to stand for Jesus, even when it is not popular.
Challenge: Identify one situation today where you need to choose Jesus over the crowd.
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link: https://www.mbcpb.org/media
Now look across the courtyard. On one side stood Barabbas, the guilty rebel. On the other side stood Jesus. What a contrast. Barabbas had taken life. Jesus gave life. Barabbas brought fear. Jesus brought peace. Barabbas wounded people. Jesus healed people. Jesus was completely innocent. He had never told a lie or entertained an impure thought. He was good.
Everyone who examined Jesus reached the same verdict. Pilate said, "I find no fault in him." Pilate's wife called Him a "just man." The dying thief said, "This man hath done nothing amiss." The centurion declared, "Certainly this was a righteous man." Jesus was the perfect, sinless Son of God. He did not deserve to die.
Pilate knew Jesus was innocent. But he did not have the courage to act on what he knew. He tried to wash his hands of the matter. He thought he could stay neutral. But you cannot wash guilt off with water. You cannot stay neutral about Jesus. He forces a decision. What will you do with Jesus who is called Christ?
“Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.” (Matthew 27:22)
Prayer: Pray for courage to stand for Jesus, even when it is not popular.
Challenge: Identify one situation today where you need to choose Jesus over the crowd.
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link: https://www.mbcpb.org/media
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