Aug 16

Pilate's only hope of salvation, freedom from himself, was Jesus. Clearly, he did not understand this truth or he would not have had Jesus killed.

But Pilate is not alone in this failure to understand reality. Every human being who seeks to cling to his soul as his own, to be ruler over his own life, likewise fails to understand reality.

"None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory" (1 Cor. 2:8).

Many are the people, both of Pilate's time and ours, who think that they rule over their own soul, yet are captive to its sinful impulses. They yearn to be set free, yet reject the only One who can set them free. Rather than submit to God's plan to set them free, they seek out their own way. Jesus said that he is the way (John 14:6). But Scripture records man's way in Ecclesiastes 7:29:
"God made mankind upright, but men have gone in search of many schemes."

One such scheme is self-sufficiency. A person can hide behind this illusion until he is confronted with reality in the person of Jesus. Then he must come to terms with who he really is and who Jesus is. Each person must answer the questions which faced Pilate: Who is the real prisoner here? What shall I do with this man Jesus?

Scripture for today: Luke 9:18-20
Thought for today: What shall I do with this man Jesus?
Prayer for today: Jesus, you are the Christ, the Savior of the world, and I acknowledge you as my own personal Savior.

AUG 16