the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 3 of 5
Matthew 27:19-31
Great is the perplexity of Pilate facing the Accused whom the chief priests have brought before him. Never had there been a man like this before him. A twofold witness, his wife (v. 19) and his conscience (v. 24), bring home to him the conviction that he has to do with a righteous man. Moreover, he knows the perversity of those who have brought Him through envy (v. 18). What can he do? Certainly, if he condemns Him, he is committing an unjust act. But if he frees Him, his popularity will surely suffer for it. In the symbolic washing of his hands (but not his conscience) he throws the responsibility back on the people, who accept it with closed eyes. Behind the crowd impelled by the basest instincts, and behind the leaders who stir them up, Satan pursues his work of devilish hatred. God however also pursues His own work – absolute grace and salvation.
Now the Lord Jesus is in the hands of the common soldiers. They put on Him a pretence of royal clothing, to mock Him before leading Him off for execution. But one day, in the sight of all, the Lord will appear in all His majesty as the King of kings and His powerful hand, the hand which then held a reed, will be raised in judgment against His enemies (cf. v. 29 with Psalms 21:3; Psalms 21:5; Psalms 21:8).
