His Cross Our HopeSýnishorn

Pilate knew the prisoner facing him did not deserve execution, yet he gave into the crowd demanding Jesus’s death. Then he tried to absolve himself by washing his hands and declaring himself innocent of Jesus’s blood (Mt. 27:24).

I have tried to “cleanse” my sin with effort as if good works could override the judgment I deserve. Then I learned nothing I could do could earn God’s favor because His salvation is a gift (Eph. 2:8-9).

My name is Pilate.

He was the high priest, charged with being the intermediary between the Israelites and their holy God. Yet he presided over an illegal trial in the middle of the night to condemn the innocent Son of God to a criminal’s death (Mt 26:57).

I have presented myself as a religious teacher, seeking the praise of men, behaving in ways that contradict the very Word I teach.

My name is Caiaphas.

From my vantage point 2,000 years later, it’s easy for me to judge these people of the Easter story. Until I remember, apart from the grace of God, I am no different from them. I am them.

No, I was them. Today, I am no longer Barabbas or Pilate or Caiaphas. Today I am a daughter of the King because Christ took my sin on Himself and clothed me with His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21).

Can you say the same thing? What’s your name?

~Ava Pennington

Writer, speaker, and co-host of the Faith Over Fear Podcast