[column width=”1/1″ last=”true” title=”” title_type=”single” animation=”none” implicit=”true”]
This week we conclude our discussion of chapter 22 of Luke’s Gospel. Please read verses 63-71 and Chapter 23:1-3 every day this week and, if possible, use a different translation each day, asking God to open your eyes to fresh revelation from His Word.
[/column]
[column parallax_bg=”disabled” parallax_bg_inertia=”-0.2″ extended=”” extended_padding=”1″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”” background_position=”” background_size=”auto” background_attachment=”” hide_bg_lowres=”” background_video=”” vertical_padding_top=”0″ vertical_padding_bottom=”0″ more_link=”” more_text=”” left_border=”transparent” class=”” id=”” title=”” title_type=”single” animation=”none” width=”1/1″ last=”true”]
[/column]
[divider type=”1″]
[/divider]
[column width=”1/1″ last=”true” title=”” title_type=”single” animation=”none” implicit=”true”]
Luke 22:71 – 23:1 (New Living Translation – NLT)
‘“Why do we need other witnesses?” they said. “We ourselves heard him say it.” Then the entire council took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor.’
Part of my duties in my work include the purchasing of new equipment and the replacement of stock items. For example, we regularly have to order new mice and keyboards due to breakages or just wear and tear. These are low budget items and cost just a few pounds each. Occasionally, I have to purchase new laptops that can amount to several tens of thousands of pounds. The principle behind every purchase is the same: I determine if the item is required and raise a purchase requisition.
To all intents and purposes, I’m actually the one who’s buying the equipment. However, ‘behind the scenes’ we see a very different picture. You see that for every order that I raise, it has to be approved by my manager and then by the person who actually is responsible for my unit’s budget. Only when the authorisation has been granted does our purchasing team place the order. The goods get delivered with my name on them but I’ve been pretty powerless to do anything other than to raise the request in the first place.
That gives you a very basic picture of what’s going on in our verses today. The Jewish council had arrested Jesus and submitted Him to a ‘sham trial’. This provides them with the reason or justification for the next step. While the Jews were under Roman occupation, the Sanhedrin was powerless to do anything without the approval of Rome. John 18:31 states clearly that the Jewish leaders said to Pilate “We have no right to execute anyone.” If they could have, they would have but had no authority to do so hence they had to take the matter to the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate. Much has been written about Pilate and very often, the focus of attention shifts from what was happening and becomes more about who Pilate was and what kind of man he was. Many people try to discredit the Bible by insisting that this man would never had been so indecisive and apparently lenient toward Jesus. One report of him states that he was ‘inflexible, merciless and obstinate’. I’ve no doubt that most of the time, he probably was just that. However, no-one can truly say how anyone would react when meeting Jesus!
Looking back at my life, I see a man who has made so many mistakes. A man who very often acted with an arrogant attitude that took little time to listen to the advice of anyone. I see someone who was not liked and was considered as being self-seeking and opinionated. Surely, this kind of man would not be capable of change? Perhaps not, but I know that when I come face to face with Jesus, nothing can be the same. Praise God that His grace, forgiveness and mercy flooded over my life and while I’m certainly not perfect by any stretch of imagination, I know that I’m not what I used to be!
My prayer for us all is that we continually come face to face with the Saviour and allow Him to change us into what He is wanting us to become. May we be transformed into HIS IMAGE hour by hour and day by day.
[/column]