Last Night I Suffered Greatly

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Last Night I Suffered Greatly

Decisions,  decisions!     Sometimes we have the most troubling decision  to make.     It has  to be made.     What shall we choose?     Which way should we go?     What will happen IF…….?     But,  on the other hand,  what will happen IF…….?

This advisor says this.     That advisor says that.     My personal sense  of the whole situation says…….     But,  there are so many others  loudly demanding things  be done their way!     And yet…….      Augh!     Get me out of this mess!

Such was Pilate’s predicament  when the Jews brought Jesus  to him  to be tried.     Throughout the mock trial  with all sorts  of false witnesses  making downright silly accusations,  it was obvious  to the governor,  Pilate,  that Jesus had done nothing wrong.     To all the accusations  Jesus made no reply  because they were so obviously contrived  and of no worth  or meaning.

When Pilate questioned Jesus,  “Are You the King of the Jews?”  Jesus simply answered,  “It is as you say.”     It was an amazing answer  showing certainty  and authority.      Then Pilate came up  with a plan  that might protect Jesus.     It was the Roman custom  to free one prisoner  during the Passover,  so Pilate proposed  to the mob  that they could choose  whether he should release Barabbas,  a notorious insurrectionist,  who had committed murder — or Jesus,  who claimed  to be King  of the Jews.

The choice should have been obvious.     But,  jealousy does not help one  to be wise  or ashamed  of their sin.

In the mean time,  Pilate’s wife sent him  an urgent message recorded  in Matthew 27:19,

Have nothing to do  with that righteous Man;  for  last night  I suffered greatly  in a dream  because of Him.

His wife’s plea  certainly was convincing — or should have been — but,  the mob was calling out  that Barabbas should be released  for them.     And Jesus?     They could only loudly  and repeatedly scream,  “Let Him be crucified!”

What would you have done?

It was a choice  between an obvious right  and an obvious wrong — but,  people are screaming  and getting more belligerent  by the moment.

Pilate washed his hands  in front of everyone  to show his cowardly way out.     He wanted  no blame  for such an evil act.     He had the authority  of the Roman government  to put down  the angry crowd.     But,  in his cowardly fashion  he chose to do evil — so that he could be “popular”  with the people.

Is that what  we choose?     Popularity  over decency and rightness?

Decisions,  decisions!     We all have to make them.     Just what should we do  with this Jesus  who is called the Christ?

In all our decision making,  we should consider  Romans 2:16,  “God will judge  the secrets  of men  through Christ Jesus.”

We might think  we have “power”  to decide against Jesus today,  but come Judgment Day,  we will be judged  through Him.     How ironic.

It’s especially ironic  in view  of the fact  that Jesus’ whole life  as our Redeemer  has been prophesied  since the Garden of Eden.     And yet,  people refuse  to look at the evidence — or all the love  that went into keeping  those prophesies — or even the promises  of eternal life  for all those  who put their faith  in Jesus.

Looking to Jesus  as our Savior,  Redeemer,  King,  and Lord,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord,  thank You ever so much  for showing Your truths  to us  and loving us  so much  that You willingly suffered  for all our sins.     Blessed be Your name forever!”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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