Guilty As Charged

While riding in the car, I was reading through the Crucifixion and reflecting on Pilot and his actions throughout this story. Pilot believed that Jesus was innocent from the beginning, but he gave in to the pressure from the people around him and freed Barabbas instead. I, then, thought of Judas and his betrayal. How could someone so close to Jesus choose money?

 Instead of me cursing these guys because of what they did to Jesus, I need to remind myself that I did that to Jesus as well. I am just as bad as Pilot, I am just as bad as Judas, I am even just as bad as Peter when he betrayed him. I also took part in putting him on the cross.

 Jesus did not just die on the cross because Judas turned him in and Pilot chose him over Barabbas; he went to the cross because he loved me and to fulfill the purpose that God sent him to earth to do. I also need to realize that without these two people and their actions we wouldn't have anything to tell 2,000 years later. 

 Without Pilot trying to please the crowd, Jesus would have been set free, Barabbas would have been crucified, and life would have gone on just as before. Without Judas' hardened heart, Jesus never would have been turned in and his night with the disciples would have gone on like any other night.

 While these people were imperfect, I am just as imperfect and I am truly grateful for them and for my Redeemer.

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