The Jewish leaders condemn Jesus. They state He must die. But they don’t have authority under Roman rule to conduct executions. So, they must take Him to Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judea. Early in the morning on Friday, they present Him at the Governor’s Palace.
The Jewish leaders were concerned about their purity for the Passover and therefore do not enter the palace. If they had entered the home of a gentile, they would have been considered unclean and could not eat the Passover. How ironic?! Jesus becomes the Passover sacrifice for all.
Yet, we must ask ourselves if we do the same thing today? We get up on a Sunday morning, take a shower, put on clean clothes, and head off the worship services. But what did we do on Saturday night? Did we purposely go about doing something against God’s commands or God’s will for us? If so, how can we condemn the Jewish leaders?
Please do not misunderstand. Jesus died so that our sins may be forgiven, even those we purposely commit. But we cannot have a holier than thou attitude when looking at others knowing we are doing the same thing. We may not get caught. We may not make it public. But God knows what we are doing, saying, and thinking.
The fact of the matter is, Jesus was in control throughout the entire process, just as God is still in control. He only spoke when He wanted to. He knew their hearts and allowed them to do what they wanted to do. He did nothing to force anyone along the path. Yet, He followed the path that was previously laid out for Him to follow.
I pray we all give up our holier than thou attitudes. I pray we know that Jesus was and is in control. I pray each one of us know that Jesus gave Himself up for our forgiveness. Give up bad attitudes. Trust Jesus is in control. Know that Jesus forgives you. Allow Him to change your heart.
John 18:28 Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate’s headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover.
Marty Pressey 