Daily Manna – January 19, 2016
Topic: From the beginning it was not so 65
Scripture: He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. (Matt 19:8)
Note: “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” (Luke 23:34)
Pilate was the Roman governor in Jerusalem at the time of the Passover. Jesus was brought to him because under Roman law, the Jews could not legally carry out the death penalty on anyone.
Pilate has become a symbol of those who make religious decisions based on political expediency rather than truth and justice. As Ghanaians will put it in the local parlance, Pilate condemned Jesus to death so that he could “get face” before the Jews; literally speaking to appease the Jews but not because he found Christ guilty based on evidential facts of the law. Jesus was accused of treason against Rome, yet after grilling Jesus exhaustively, Pilate came to the conclusion that Jesus was innocent of rebellion against the Roman government. There was no incriminating treasonable evidence found against Christ as alleged by his accusers.
Jesus was released by Pilate to be crucified simply because the people cried “crucify him.” It was the will of the people. It was the popular choice, though not the right choice based purely on facts, law and justice.
Every believer must be careful not to compromise the word of God because of political reasons, career or self-serving interests. We should always stand for what is right and not what is expedient.
Food for thought: Expediency is shortlived and temporary.
Declaration: All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (1Cor 6:12)
© Author: Rev Fred Aboe
