Humanness

I am sure you would prefer I compare us to Jesus or one of the disciples. This week I want to look at Pilate. Yes, Pontius Pilate. There is an element in each one of us that makes us need Christ and His blood and that is our brokenness, our humanness.

Pilate was a governor, a leader. I picture a man who had worked his way up to his position of authority and respect. Maybe a little determined and certainly compromising. I image when Pilate took the job he may have thought, How hard could it be to keep a bunch of religious zealots under control? And, for the most part the Jews were ruled by their own laws. Then, Pilate realized how hard it can be to govern people who only see life in one way, one very uncompromising way. The religious leaders pushed Pilate into a place where he felt he had little say or control in the one place he was suppose to have leadership. When He was confronted with Jesus, he didn't know what to do. (Matthew 27:15-26)

^{Matthew 27:24} When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!"

How many times in our lives do we come to a crossroads. Moments when all of our compromises come to a place of decision. What is right, wrong? What is going to keep me the safest? Do you know the right thing to do? Instead of doing it, do you wash your hands and make no decisions at all?

It is a battle we all face, almost daily. How do we keep everyone happy? How do we keep from starting conflict? I don't think we are suppose to, I think we are suppose to do the right things and stand up for the things we know are right.

We are human, we need God. I don't want to make excuses for us, but there are days when I miss the mark. I think I know, I think I have it and then I make a decision or wash my hands of making one and in turn need to look to God for his redemption. I truly am a work in progress. Sometimes my need to keep everyone happy or keep my job safe or keep my children from being embarrassed, I make a choice that benefits us and not the kingdom of God.