I read again this morning the story of Jesus’ trial. It makes a significant statement that is more applicable to many of us who attend church than perhaps we like to think:
“Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.” (John 18:28)
The religious leaders had piled one lie upon another in their accusations
against Jesus. The entire trial was a farce. A travesty. An immoral circus
designed to murder an innocent man. They knew it. Even Pilate knew it.
But their hatred for Jesus blinded their eyes to their own damnable sin. It was that same blindness that prevented them from seeing their abhorrent hypocrisy. They didn’t want to become ceremonially unclean by entering the court of the Gentiles (the Praetorium) – but thought nothing wrong about participating in the murder of an innocent man.
They had long forgotten the REASONS for their religious observances and duties
and practices. They’d forgotten that the One whom they were to serve through
those observances is a holy God who demands holiness from His followers.
And therein is the application to us in 2020. Are we careful to not be
like the Pharisees of old? Are we careful to remember the REASON for our
religious observances and duties and practices – that they should all lead us
closer to Christ in holiness and humility?
May the Holy Spirit help us to avoid fooling ourselves to think such a
thing could not happen to us.
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