"I wash my hands of this"... (part 2 of 2)

Yesterday, we looked at Peter, the impetuous disciple whose fear led him to deny Christ.  During Christ’s ordeal that night, another man emerges on the stage. But not just any man:  Pontius Pilate. A man of great position. He was Governor (procurator) of Judea. Summoned from sleep for this scurious night trial, Pilate was already on edge.  It didn’t help that the current political climate was volatile, at best. Pilate was most likely living at the Praetorium at this moment to keep order in Jerusalem since it was Passover. His home during the rest of the year was in northern Israel in Caesarea.

He was awakened to make a judgment against a peaceful-looking itinerant Rabbi. Pilate is quickly convinced of this Man’s innocence. Observe Pilate’s diversion tactics to the religious hate-mongers outside:

1. Pilate says “I find no fault in Him” at least 3 times. (Jn 18:38; 19:4,6) 

2. Pilate orders him to be flogged, hoping to appease their cries for punishment. (Jn 19:2)

3. Pilate presents Him in front as “The man” (not the king) to convince them of His humility (Jn 19: 5)

4. Pilate compares Jesus to the hardened criminal Barabbas, offering Jesus instead for a release, but to no avail.  His contrasts fall on deaf ears. (Mt 27:17)

5. He sends Jesus to Herod for sentencing, hoping to pass off the sentencing. (Lk 23:6-12)

Nothing works. So Pilate cowers. He “washes his hands” in the matter as a symbolic, yet futile gesture. The religious (but not Godly) crowd has screamed “His blood be on us and on our children.” At this point in the Resurrection Pageant, I recall a freeze frame… a disconnect.

As people around me shout “Crucify Him” I am shocked. Shivers run up my spine. Part of me wants to tackle them, even though I know they are actors immersed in a scene. The other part of me screams out silently “How could you?” And then I look at powerful Pilate and a somber realization comes over me. It doesn’t matter if you actively attack Jesus or simply (like Pilate) prefer the comfort of power or prestige over His all-consuming Friendship. The result is the same. As John would later say “He who has the Son has life. He who does not have the Son does not have life” (I Jn 5:12).

So ignoring Jesus’ Divinity and his wife’s specific warnings, Pilate orders Jesus crucified.  This man of position gets his name in the history book not because of civil or military strength, but because of a cowardly decision to preserve his political path and not upset the populace.  So he effectively kills the only One who could save him. Jesus’ soft and gracious answers to Pilate reveal a Savior who wanted to do just that. Looking into Pilate’s tired and confused eyes, He even said that those who handed Him over to Pilate were guilty of a greater sin. What compassion in the midst of suffering!

Pilate’s heart was stirred by Jesus, but not enough to do the right thing. Like Peter, Pilate encountered Jesus. Both men’s characters were tested quickly. Like Peter, Pilate saw the suffering Jesus and was moved. Peter and Pilate both made excuses.  They both ended up turning their backs on Him when He needed them most. But one crucial difference:  Whereas Peter ran to the resurrected Jesus...Pilate ran away.  His life, from all we can tell, ended in shame and guilt.  Some reports say that just three years later, Pilate was removed from office for another cowardly decision and committed suicide shortly thereafter.

I am so thankful for a Savior that chased after the most unlikely of men, from a lowly and impetuous fisherman to a powerful Roman governor. He loved them both equally. As Christ’s character is still on trial today in the hearts of people around us, will you be a Peter or a Pilate?

Written by Travis Patterson Pastor for Family and Children's Ministries Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church

Redeemed (Part 1 of 2)

Note: This is the first in a 2 part blog post series by Pastor Travis Patterson

Two men deeply encountered Jesus that week.  One had passion, the other held a position. One knew Jesus pretty well.  The other only knew of Him.  They both, however, experienced a dark night that would haunt them for years to come.  Which one are you most like?

Simon Peter should have been the hero of that night.  He honestly tried to be. He was part of the inner circle, the closest of the close.  He had seen miracle after miracle for 3 and ½ years. Jesus had healed his mother-in-law.  At Jesus’ invitation, Peter had walked on water when nobody else dared. He was allowed to see Moses and Elijah shining on the mountain with Jesus.  Privileged Peter. If I had scripted passion week, I would have put Peter as the spirited leader, boldly rallying the disciples to Christ’s defense through His arrest and crucifixion.

But perhaps, like Peter, you’ve had some “should have” moments of your own:  “I should have told him I loved him, but I was rushed”.  “I should have taken time to go help them...”  “I should never have done that to her!  How could I be so stupid?”  Pain and guilt linger when we think these words.  So you understand that’s not how it happened. Peter cowardly follows at a distance, fearing for his life.  When confronted as a possible disciple, his mouth denounces any association with his best Friend and Master.  Increasing pressure causes Peter to deny Jesus louder and with curses, just as he hears the prophetic rooster crow.  And Jesus’ soul-piercing glance cuts through him like a two-edged sword. He went out and “wept bitterly” (Mt 26:75)

Peter was redeemed from his mistake after Jesus resurrected!  One morning, Peter saw His Savior on the beach making breakfast for them.  He jumped fully clothed into the water to get to Jesus. The most delicious bite Peter swallowed that morning was the serving of grace dished up by Jesus for breakfast.  Three times--once for each of His denials-- Jesus lovingly gave Peter the chance to assert His love for Him. Three times Peter agreed. This time He would get it right! Christ’s simple command after each of Peter’s affirmations:  “Feed my Sheep.”  Yes, Christ was calling Peter back into ministry.

If you have let God down, learn from Peter:  run to Him and assert your love for Him. Let Him feed your soul with the assurance of His forgiveness.  May it then propel you forward into living out His love towards everyone you meet!

Written by Travis Patterson, Pastor for Children & Family Ministries at the Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church

The Garden of Choice

If you would like to hear an audio version of this entry, please click here.

All was quiet. The sun had set. A bright, full Passover moon had risen over the Jerusalem hillside. The disciples had left the upper room singing a Passover song, hearts full with the presence of the Prince of Peace.

They had often come to the Garden of Gethsemane after meals and each in their own way waited eagerly for what Jesus would teach them next. Yet now, as they neared that garden on the Mount of Olives, something was different. They noticed a shift in Jesus’ countenance, a change in how he walked. He seemed to grow increasingly sad with each step he took.

Normally he would talk as they walked, drawing lessons from birds, and trees, ants and flowers, his pleasant voice wafting through the cool air to fall upon attentive ears. But this time, everything was different. His metered breaths the only sound protruding from his tight lips. The Great Teacher, and Master Physician was now silent.

As they neared the familiar place, almost in a whisper they heard him say, “My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death; remain here and keep watch.”[1] Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walk on from that spot falling to the ground in anguish. Stunned, not fully grasping what he had said, the disciples stood frozen.

What had changed? Wasn’t it just moments ago as they walked toward the garden, he had told them of the Master Vine-grower and His vineyards?[2] Hadn’t he told them about the Comforter that would soon be coming?[3] Oh, how they wished they had listened a little closer. Maybe, he told them what was to come.

The whole week had been a whirlwind. They had seen him ride into Jerusalem like a king. He had outwitted the temple teachers. He had thrown out the money changers. He had washed their feet and given them bread and wine. Now he, the mighty Prince of Peace, the one who was to save his people, the one who would over-through the Romans was now laid out on the ground writhing in anguish.

It was just too much. One by one, the disciples, overcome by the events of the week, fell into a deep sleep, seeking solace from the confusing and uncomfortable scene being played out before them.

And it was there in that garden, on a hill outside Jerusalem that Jesus made a choice. He had been talking with the Father for years. This was the plan all along. But now, the darkness loomed heavy about to swallow him whole. Knowing what he must do, Jesus cried out to his Father asking if there was any other way, if there was somehow an alternative plan that could accomplish the goal.

Faced with the opportunity to seek another way or to give up all together, Jesus cried out, “Yet not what I will but what You will.”[4]

And it was there he made the choice to go through with the plan of salvation to save you and me. Within the next 12 to 18 hours he would be dead after enduring a grueling night of unjust trials and brutal beatings. Yet all the while, he followed the will of the Father knowing that in the end, the plan set forth from the dawn of creation, the plan that would save any people who had wandered from the light, that plan would bring about a redemption that would last an eternity.

That night in the garden, when everyone and everything seemed to betray Jesus, he chose you and me and the rest of our fallen world. He chose death in order that we might have life. He chose separation in order that we might have reconciliation.

During this Passion Week, why not spend some time contemplating Jesus’ choice? Seeing his choice might even help us choose him all the more.

1] Mark 14:34

[2] John 15

[3] John 16

[4] Mark 14:36

Written by Michael Gibson

Pastor for Young Adults at the Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church