That They Might Not Be Defiled

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That They Might Not Be Defiled

We can be so pretentious  when we want to look good  in the eyes of others.     We can even imagine  that our meanderings  and skirtings around the real issue  will actually fool God.     Since God knows our every thought and intention,  we can’t hide anything from Him.     But, that doesn’t keep us  from trying.     When Jesus was arrested and taken to Pilate  for trial,  the chief priests and Pharisees wanted  to put on a front  of righteousness.

Maybe they were even trying hard  to fool themselves.     Nobody wants the burden of guilt.

John 18:28  describes their bold-faced self-righteousness,

They led Jesus therefore  from Caiaphas  into the Praetorium;  and it was early;  and they themselves  did not enter  into the Praetorium  in order  that  they might not be defiled,  but might eat the Passover.

The Passover meal commemorated their deliverance  from slavery in Egypt  after God killed the first-born  in every Egyptian household,  including Pharaoh’s first-born son.     At this very commemoration,  Jesus,  the only-begotten Son of God,  was being led away to die  for our deliverance from slavery  to the sins  of this world.

What a lesson from God!     He works so many things  with a precision  that should teach us  about His absolute power and control  over all things.     Deliverance from slavery in Egypt was a fore-telling — a prophecy — a picture — of how God would deliver us  from our slavery  to sin.     From the very beginning,  God timed Jesus’  suffering and death  so that it would coincide  with the Passover Festival,  which had been commanded  by God  years before.

The Jewish leaders wanted  to strut their self-righteousness  by obeying that ancient command from God,  but in doing so,  they  revealed  how desperately they needed a Savior  from all their sins.     We, too,  need a Savior  from all of our sins.     We cannot hide those sins  from God — no matter how we try  to ignore them  or  do so-called good works,  in hopes of working our way  to heaven.

Instead of conniving  to hide our sins,  let us confess them  to our Savior  and allow Him to forgive them all.     Jesus is our Passover Lamb.     With Him we can celebrate our true deliverance  from sin.

Then,  in freedom,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord,  Your power and ability  to work all things  for our good  is awesome.     Your name is glorious  in all that You do for us.”

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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