“This
righteous man,” may be a clue to the disturbing dream of the governor’s
wife. Was her conscience still sensitive to what was right? Did it seem to her
a travesty of Roman justice to crucify a righteous man?
The
word, righteous, is used throughout scripture to describe a person right with
God. I doubt Pilate’s wife realized the truth she uttered. Before her stood
the only righteous man, the sinless Son of God, the spotless Lamb who takes
away the sins of the world (Gal. 3:13; John 1:29; Heb. 9:26).
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This
is the disturbing element of the cross — God did it all. The just died for
the unjust, the sinless for the sinner. This offends our egotism. I heard it
in the living room of a man we went to visit. “I think anything worthwhile
has to be worked for, even heaven.” It was not surprising that out visit
disturbed him.
Jesus
is the Man for All
What
will you do with Jesus? Pilate’s wife advised that Jesus be ignored. Don’t
take sides Pilate; pass the buck, wash your hands of it; walk on by.
On
another home visit I heard a young woman reject the claims of Christ, “I
don’t want anything to do with religion. I can’t handle anything else
right now; I’m just trying to get my life and career in order.” She
rejected the One who could accomplish her own dreams.
What
is your decision about Jesus? The Passion narrative reveals a plethora of possibilities.
Pilate washed his hands (v. 24); the soldiers amused themselves with the Suffering
Savior (vv. 27-31). Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry His cross (v. 32); I
wonder what He finally did with Jesus? Beside Jesus one thief repented, while
the other selfishly pled for release (vv. 38, 44) The crowd saw only the political
and religious circumstances of a helpless convicted criminal (v. 39). The religious
leaders, protecting their position and practices, joined the mockery (vv. 41-43).
While
others were silent God’s creation moaned in grief and was shrouded in darkness
with the death of this righteous man (v. 45). The veil of the temple was “torn
in two” (v. 51), as this just man opened the way into the holiness of God.
Wonder
where Pilate’s wife was during all this time? Wonder if she ever got a
good night’s sleep? What’s your appraisal and response to Jesus?