Life-spark: He gave His lie to save my life. (John 19:1-18)
Several years ago, a group of men from our church went to McNeil Island prison in Washington. We were allowed to speak to inmates who wanted to talk. I talked with several men. About half of them basically said, “I am guilty, and I want to do better.” The other half basically said, “I am innocent, and I shouldn’t be in here.”
When I talked with the warden later, I shared the gist of my conversations. He smiled and said, “Most of the men who say, “I am guilty,” will one day be free and live productively in society. Most of the men who say, “I am not guilty” will be in here for most or all of their lives.”
After talking with Jesus, Pilate said, “He is not guilty.” In spite of that, trying to appease the Jewish religious leaders, Pilate had Jesus flogged. Then he stood before the religious leaders and said, “I am going to bring him out to you now, but understand clearly that I find him not guilty.” (John 19:4b, NLT) The religionists went bonkers. “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.” (John 19:12b, NIV)
Gulp. Pilate realized his neck was on the block. If the Jews rioted, or if Caesar found out that Jesus broke the Roman law by calling himself a king, Pilate would find himself demoted and probably beheaded.
We all have the same battle going on within us today that Pilate did that day. It’s a battle between self-preservation (saving my own life at all costs) and self-sacrifice (giving my own life at all costs).
So who is actually on trial here? Is Jesus? Is Pilate? Is Judas? Are the disciples? Are the religious leaders? Am I? Are you? We all are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. (Romans 3:23, NLT)
At the final judgment, when the Judge has me stand and make my plea, I hope to say, “I am guilty, Your Honor. And thank you, Your Honor, for the One who gave His life to save my life.”
Life-challenge: Embrace self-giving today. See if you can catch yourself giving yourself to help others.