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by Sandy Shaw
We are in Luke Chapter 23 and in verse 12 we read Pilate and Herod, who had been enemies, became friends that day.
Foes of God and enemies of Jesus Christ, frequently become friends, and begin to talk together, conspiring against the body of Christ. This is happening all across our world as people oppose the Word of God and the Church of Jesus Christ.
I wonder how deep their friendship was, and how long it lasted?
I know we are moving quite slowly through this section in Luke’s Gospel but there is much to take in and study. When you are taking your people through the Word of God it is seldom wise to rush through these passages where the details are so important and where there is significant detail in virtually every sentence.
Pilate is still faced with the prisoner and has to evaluate the circumstances surrounding the charges. He makes it clear that from the five or six accusations, there is not one single piece of solid evidence. He says, "I will just beat Him and release Him." Verse 16. Whatever for? Pilate why are you acting in such an unjust manner?
Pilate is compromising all round, just to keep the people and himself satisfied. It is dangerous to be a people pleaser. When you seek to please the people around you, you can be open to compromise and injustice, and that never pleases Almighty God.
Jesus is innocent, so I can set Him free, and ease my conscience, but as a prisoner is released at the Feast, you can regard Him as guilty. By now, a mob has been gathered, and this unruly mob of wicked evil men said, "No. Away with him. Release Barabbas the political resistance leader”.
The crowd was now so disappointed with Jesus. He would not give them what they wanted as regards political leadership. The people did not want what Jesus came from God the Father to give.
The people make it clear that a beating is not enough. Crucify Him.
The pressure from people at times can be overwhelming, unless you are moving in the power of God.
Verse 22. Pilate tries to reason with the crowd, but he is so weak. The crowd is clamouring for Jesus Christ to be crucified, and look at whose voices are shouting loudest of all - the chief priests. Matthew and Mark tell us that. They should have been leading the people in praise and worship, as they prepared for the Passover, but they do all they can to see the Son of God crucified.
Do you see how low some religious and proud people will sometimes sink? There is something wicked behind all this, and yet we also know from other passages, that this is Jesus Christ laying down his life willingly. We have to balance these two apparently opposing factors.
No matter where we serve the risen and ascended Christ we have various factors which have to be balanced, and that is where the guidance and leading of the Holy Spirit and the directions laid down in the Word of God are so essential.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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