Aug 26

Pilate stood in Jerusalem, claiming to hold power to set Jesus free, when the reality was that Jesus had come to set him free. He came to set us all free.

To follow Pilate's example and turn away from Jesus is to let our soul remain in ruins. To deny Jesus is to pronounce the death sentence upon ourselves -- quite the opposite of what Pilate thought he was doing when he pronounced that sentence upon Jesus. He was really passing judgment upon himself. So, too, do all who likewise reject Jesus' claim upon their soul.

As for Jerusalem, it, too, became a ruin. Because of its rejection of Jesus, in A.D. 70 the Roman general Titus came and made a ruin of that city, especially the temple. The prophetic words of Scripture thus were fulfilled.

The same will be true of us if we do not give up our right to rule our own soul: It will end in ruin for such a soul. For, in reality, we do not rule our soul; our selfish desires do, just as they did Pilate. The only release from such bondage is to trade places: The Pilate within our soul must trade places with Jesus. We must become his prisoner -- his slave, as Paul puts it -- and He must become our Ruler, King, Master, Savior, and Lord. It is the only way. Jesus said, "I am the way" (John 14:6).

Scripture for today: John 14:6
Thought for today: I do not rule my soul. Either Jesus does or sin does.
Prayer for today: Thank you, Jesus, for being Lord of my soul.

AUG 26