Archives: July 2006

Pilate compromised justice because of a greater fear...

Sometimes it doesn’t take much to cause a human to compromise his beliefs.

I don’t know much about Pilate, particularly the private man, the real man. But in some ways, he seems a man with some sense of justice. And he certainly was a man capable of fear (John 19:8).

And yet he compromised justice and overcame some significant fears concerning Jesus’ identity because of a greater fear: being perceived as having the wrong friends.

“And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar” (John 19:12).

How important is it to me to have the “right” friends?

Whose friend am I ready to be?

And what kind of compromises would I make for that?

Let me never be as Pilate.

May I always stand for Jesus. And may I always stand with Jesus as a friend to those who, because of bigotry and bias, are despised by others.

“Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not” (John 18:17).

Yeah, that Peter was a flimsy-spined fellow alright. He said he would be true to Jesus and would never deny him. Oh sure.

But how stout is my own spine?

Once in a while, my driving denies any acquaintance with Jesus.

At times, my ill-timed laughter (or silence) denies my knowledge of Jesus.

And what about some of my reading or music or purchases?

Then there’s the matter of certain attitudes, thoughts, surmisings, and word choices.

Thankfully, Jesus extends His grace and forgiveness to me like He did to Peter.

Because of that, I am free to repent and to try again.

Yes, I am one of His disciples!