Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Matthew 27:24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it."
IT HAPPENED ON GOOD FRIDAY: PILATE WASHED
It was a case like none he had ever handled before. In his courtroom stood a Prisoner like none he had seen before. He examined Him thoroughly, asking numerous questions about the charges levied against Him by His foes: treason and sedition. But the Prisoner had kept strangely quiet. When He finally did speak up it wasn't to defend Himself from false accusations but to present Himself as the King from heaven born into the world to testify to the Truth.
Clearly, Pilate concluded, this Prisoner is innocent of the offenses for which He has been charged. He walked outside and told the rabble crowd: "I've found in Him no grounds for the death penalty. So I will punish Him and release Him."
But Pilate didn't release Him. Instead, when the crowd kept insisting that the Prisoner be crucified, the governor, fearing a riot, ordered the death penalty to be carried out. Then, to absolve himself of his villainous deed, he washed his hands with water in front of them, saying: "It's all on you. I'm in the clear."
Pontius Pilate, how foolish! How can washing your hands with H2O exonerate you of the crime of convicting an innocent defendant? More than that: how can it free you from the guilt of your sins in the sight of God, the righteous Judge of all? Indeed, how foolish it would be for anyone to think they could maneuver themselves free from blame before God by anything they do? Impossible! The Bible's remedy: look in penitent faith to Him who suffered under Pontius Pilate, the Innocent for the guilty: JESUS. In Him your soul will find perfect cleansing.
Not all the blood of beasts On Jewish altars slain
Could give the guilty conscience peace Or wash away the stain.
But Christ, the heavenly Lamb,Takes all our sins away;
A sacrifice of nobler name And richer blood than they.
Believing, we rejoice To see the curse remove;
We bless the Lamb with cheerful voice And sing His bleeding love.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 156:1-2, 5)
