Matthew 27 v 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!”
You have probably often seen movies or TV shows when the bad guy tells some police officer, if he does not get the money within a certain time frame, the hostage will die, “AND IT WILL BE YOUR FAULT.” Such ridiculous reasoning is seen all over our society today.
Even in the Garden of Eden, when God confronted Adam with his sin, he blamed the woman. Blame shifting is part of the way we act in our day and age. We never want to take responsibility for our actions.
But the fallacy is that no matter how much we blame-shift, our conscience does not let us go. So Pilate washing his hands is a symbol depicting having nothing to do with a certain thing, but when we are involved and guilty, no washing of hands gets us off the hook.
Our consciences are silent, midnight prowlers. They bring in their wake depression, guilt and unhappiness. They are never satisfied until guilt has been acknowledged and dealt with.
There are many legends about Pontius Pilate, but one of the most persistent is that he died a suicidal death. Whether that is true or not I do not know, but it does serve as a fitting warning to those who do not seek for help for their consciences.
What we need is forgiveness – not only from the people we have offended, but from Almighty God for our sin and rebellion against him. And that is exactly what Christ offers us. This same Jesus that Pilate sentenced to death, is the risen Christ and Saviour who offers forgiveness and a clean conscience to all who turn to him. Although he died on the Cross and his blood was truly shed there, it was shed to make atonement for us so that we might be forgiven. And the proof of that is that He rose from the dead. So today the living Christ invites all who are weighed down by life’s sins and failure to come to Him. His promise is the following:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
Will you come?
This will be the last Daily Thought for a while. Daily Thoughts will recommence in approximately two weeks’ time.