Devotion
Jesus Of Nazareth King Of The Jews
David Jacobs
Have you ever been wrong about something but had trouble admitting it once you realized that you were wrong? It can feel like a great burden on your shoulders, sitting like the giant elephant in the room, but our pride sometimes stalls us from admitting that we were incorrect. I have had relationships suffer simply because two people got into a meaningless argument but are too proud to apologize to one another.
Pontius Pilate sentenced Jesus to be crucified and killed. He scourged him, mocked him, and killed him. In these verses, the chief priests, who also wanted Jesus killed, ask Pilate to change the words that were written on the cross. In their view, Jesus had blasphemed by saying that he was the King of the Jews, and this was the reason they wanted him condemned to death. After watching the grisly scene unfold, I also think they must have felt some remorse and regret for allowing this unjust crucifixion take place. If Pilate changes the inscription, they will feel that Jesus' death was justified, because he should not have said that he was the King of the Jews. Pilate will not admit any wrong doing, unwilling to change his final mistake.
Everybody makes mistakes. The priests and Pilate certainly did. Learning to forgive and ask for forgiveness are actions that all Christians should be familiar with: we are born sinners and must go to God in order to be forgiven. Luckily, if we knock, the door will be open for us, seek and we will find. (Matthew 7:7) If we ask we are forgiven, or our pride will help us share the priests' and Pilates' fate.
Prayer
Gracious God, forgive me for my sins. Lead me from evil and I forgive all people that have ever wronged me. I am constantly tempted by sin, O Lord, and I ask that you deliver me from it unscathed. You are the one true God! Your son is the King of the Jews! I pray this in Jesus' holy name. Amen.
Night Prayer
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Inspiration
We despise the thought of a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. The outside is easy to clean; it's the caked-up residue on the inside that's so difficult to remove. Jesus compares the scribes and Pharisees with dishes that have been wiped clean on the outside while dirty inside. The Pharisees took exceptional care of their outward appearance and neglected their inward spirits. We are guilty of allowing our hearts to be left filthy as well. We look and act as we should while our souls are full of darkness. We must continue to converse with the Holy Spirit daily and trust His guidance to cleanse our sinful nature.
Prayer
Dear God, Please forgive our sinful nature. We yearn for cleansing from within, so we are genuine witnesses to Your name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
