F O O T H O L D
READING
52 TWO MEN ON TRIAL
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PRAY Teach me more of your
way for me, heavenly Father.
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READ Luke 22:66-23:25.
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THINK What is there in the
behaviour of Jesus, Pilate or Herod which
guides you in your own
responses to sticky situations?
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FOCUS Pilate and Herod are
the ones who stand on trial in today's
reading. Let's see how they
show up.
NAME: Pontius Pilate. CHARGE:
Cowardice.
VERDICT: 'Guilty!'
To put it very simply: He
knew what was right, but didn't do it.
He knew that the accusations
against Christ in verse 2 were
rubbish; he knew Christ was
completely innocent; but he could not
bring himself to say the
words which would have set Christ free.
Three times he gave his
verdict, 'Not guilty' (4,14,22). Then why
not let Jesus go? Why offer
to 'have him whipped' (16,22)? Why
hand him over? Because he
was afraid of the crowd.
Ask yourself: have I ever
tolerated wrong for the sake of peace
and quiet?
NAME: Herod Antipas. CHARGE:
'Idle curiosity!'
VERDICT: 'Guilty!'
Herod was only looking for
some sensation. He wasn't interested
in Christ as Saviour or as
Messiah. He wanted to see a show (8).
He refused to take Jesus
seriously. Instead he and his men
entertained themselves at
Jesus' expense, then sent him back to
Pilate. The mood is captured
very well in the show 'Jesus Christ
Superstar'.
Pilate knew what he ought to
do and was afraid to do it. Herod
only wanted to be
entertained. These don't seem great sins but
they helped to crucify Jesus.
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PRAY Resolve with God's
help, that you will always stand for truth,
whatever the cost.
