When Jesus was brought before Pilate, he found him not guilty by the preferred charges. Upon agitation that he perverts justice to pronounce Jesus guilty, Pilate said in John 18: 31 take him yourselves and judge him according to your law. See also Luke 19: 22. Jesus needed acquittal according to Roman law and the Jewish laws of Moses. Pilate knew this fact that the two laws did not allow perversion of justice including hate crimes and the death of an innocent person.
Personal accountability
Pilate challenged the Jewish leaders to be personally accountable for their twisted version of the Torah.
All of us have personal accountability to God for our deeds. Romans 2: 15-16 say they show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, to which their own conscience also bears witness; and their conflicting thoughts will accuse or perhaps excuse them on the day when, according to my gospel, God, through Jesus Christ, will judge the secret thoughts of all. Pilate’s statement required a personal testimony based on conscience and truth.
The law of conscience
God has given each of us a personal law of conscience and of truth by which we shall be judged. We cannot claim ignorance nor deny our personal conscience. 1Timothy 1: 19 says by rejecting conscience, certain persons have suffered shipwreck in the faith. Paul said in Acts 24: 16 I do my best always to have a clear conscience toward God and all people. Peter also said in 1Peter 3: 16 keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. Our conscience is our judge destined to expose the truth of God.
The law of Moses / the Torah
We are enjoined in Joshua 1: 8 to meditate on the book of the law. Psalms 1: 1-2 say happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night. God takes no delight in mob philosophies but what he has personally written on the tablets of each heart. David thus said in Psalms 119: 11 I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you. The primary law of Moses was the Ten Commandments of God. It acquitted Christ Jesus from guilt.
Truth hinders and blockers
Why were the Jewish leaders unable to stand the truth by their laws? What accounted for their actions?
The factor of fear
Fear hinders us from asserting the truth. 2Timothy 3: 12 says indeed, those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Such ignites fear and proper self-evaluation of our objectives or commitment to Jesus. We have to consider whether or not we want freedom from the law of sin. Jesus said in Matthew 10: 28 do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Hebrews 4: 16 says let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness. In times of fear against the truth, the disciples prayed thus in Acts 4: 29 and now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness. Fear rather calls for prayer, not giving up on the truth. Hope in Christ Jesus gives boldness rather than fear. 2Corinthians 3: 12 says since, then, we have such a hope, (of the resurrection) we act with great boldness. The truth of God must always prevail over fear.
The factor of ignorance
Ignorance hinders us from asserting the truth. Jesus was accused of elevating himself as God when he was not, hence a blasphemy. The Jewish leaders rather displayed their ignorance of Isaiah’s prophecies. Hosea 4: 6 says my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Some of us continue to deny Jesus his due place in our lives in truth. Pilate challenged the Jews because they were grossly ignorant of their own scripture or had twisted its understanding.
Isaiah had many decades earlier prophesied Christ Jesus. Isaiah 9: 6 says for a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. In Isaiah’s prophesy, Jesus was the son born to the Jews and to the world. He said in John 12: 47 for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He had all the authority. Jesus said in Matthew 28: 18 all authority in heaven and on earth has been given me.
Jesus was a wonderful counselor by his teaching and his Holy Spirit. Jesus said of himself in Matthew 12: 42; Luke 11: 31… something greater than Solomon is here. Isaiah referred to Jesus as Mighty God. Jesus said in John 10: 30 the Father and I are one. Isaiah said Jesus is Everlasting Father thus Isaiah affirmed his divinity. Isaiah called him Prince of Peace. Jesus said in John 14: 27 peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Without biblical truth, we will pervert justice.
Be careful how we judge
How do we judge situations? Many of us are enemies of truth. What we stand to gain rather decides what we term the truth. Romans 6: 23 says the wages of sin is death. Jesus asked in Matthew 16: 26; Mark 8: 36 for what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? Have we soiled our hands with the innocent blood of Jesus?
Revelation 17: 6 says and I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and the blood of the witnesses to Jesus. Is our law as God intended? Or is it as we intend without Christ Jesus? 1Corinthians 15: 33 says do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals. What company or friends do we belong to? Galatians 6: 7 says do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. What judgment have you sowed for our souls in eternity?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, we have judged you based on mob action without truth. Help us to know you by the Holy Spirit who is the source of all truth. We cannot escape from our personal accountability based on the truth of our conscience. Thank you Father for revealing to us who Jesus is. Forgive us for the untruths we have peddled against you and make us anew in your blood. We pray in your holy name, Amen!!
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